The North End Women’s Centre (NEWC) is a not-for-profit women’s resource centre that facilitates opportunities for women-identified people in healing, wellness and capacity building through diverse community-centred approaches. NEWC’s existing buildings on Selkirk Avenue no longer meet the need of the organization, nor the broader North End community. In 2020, NEWC commissioned Prairie Architects to lead a team through preliminary assessment and make recommendations related to re-envisioned space, to include:

• a drop-in centre, where women-identified people can pour a cup of hot coffee, rest and connect with others, as well as learn about opportunities for counselling, systems navigation & advocacy, financial literacy, health and wellness, freedom from sexual exploitation & addictions recovery, and housing support;

• a social enterprise thrift store (The Up Shoppe);

• programming space for workshops to build women-identified people's capacity and increase skills for creating new and sustainable income options; and

• continuation and enhancement of the transitional housing program that serves a crucial role in the community by providing housing units for women-identified people recovering from sexual exploitation and addiction.

This is all done in a community centred environment that promotes healing and wellness in community programming spaces used for counselling and health & wellness opportunities. 

NEWC’s ultimate goal is to build a welcoming, safe and accessible community space (including outdoor space), that is as beautiful as it is sustainable, that supports connection to spirituality and cultural identity, embodies a truth and reconciliation perspective and is a source of pride along Selkirk Avenue in the North End of Winnipeg. The redevelopment is to be a place where a sense of community flourishes, resiliency is fostered and women and their families thrive.  

Click here to learn more about this exciting project!