Advocating for education, inclusion
People First president focuses on helping those who need help
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Heidi Hutchison is frank when describing her commitment to People First of Manitoba, a group that represents Manitobans who have intellectual and developmental disabilities.
“I don’t stop,” the volunteer says. “People First does not stop for me at all. Period.”
After founding People First of Winnipeg a few years ago, Hutchison was elected president of the provincial chapter in 2025.
MIKAELA MACKENZIE / FREE PRESS
Heidi Hutchison volunteers as the president of People First of Manitoba, a group that serves as a voice for Manitobans with intellectual disabilities.
Members of People First have the opportunity to socialize, share experiences, advocate for change, and learn new information and skills.
It’s part of a wider network of groups throughout North America, Europe and Australia.
The organization’s goals include educating the community, promoting inclusion and advocating for those who cannot speak for themselves.
These goals resonate with Hutchison.
“…I’m a very high-functioning person with an intellectual disability, so I think it’s important that I help others that need help,” the 39-year-old St. Vital resident says.
Hutchison says she’s faced numerous barriers as a result of living with an intellectual disability, including to her education and professional life. Whenever someone questioned her abilities when she was in high school, Hutchison says she used their doubt to fuel her determination.
“People learned very quickly with me not to make assumptions about me, because I would prove them wrong,” she says.
Volunteer opportunities
The following is a list of volunteer opportunities for Winnipeg and surrounding areas. For more information about these listings, contact the organization directly. Volunteer Manitoba does not place volunteers with organizations but can help people find opportunities. To learn more about its programs and services, go to wfp.to/volunteers or call 204-477-5180.
The following is a list of volunteer opportunities for Winnipeg and surrounding areas. For more information about these listings, contact the organization directly. Volunteer Manitoba does not place volunteers with organizations but can help people find opportunities. To learn more about its programs and services, go to wfp.to/volunteers or call 204-477-5180.
Mosaic Newcomer Family Resource Network is seeking child care volunteers. Volunteers will follow the direction of the child care lead and daily routines of the playroom they are assigned to. Duties may include: reading to children, assisting in setting up and cleaning up, helping at snack times and playing with the children. Volunteers must enjoy working with young children (age six months to five years) and have an English-speaking level of CLB 4 or higher. Shifts are Monday to Thursday from 9 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. Apply online: mosaicnet.ca/volunteers. Deadline is May 1.
The Manitoba Fibre Festival is looking for volunteers to assist with its Fibre/Wool Festival workshops. It seeks individuals eager to support a celebration of fibre arts, including wool, yarn, knitting, crochet, and local textiles. The workshop assistant would work with the workshop coordinator from February to September. The role involves planning and overseeing workshops, requiring hands-on work, excellent communication, and organizational skills. Tasks include identifying class topics, managing proposals, communicating with instructors, and preparing promotional content. During the festival, the assistant will help with room setup, cleanup, and instructor support. After the event, they will assist with follow-ups and feedback. Apply online: manitobafibrefestival.com/volunteer-opportunities. Deadline is June 1.
Are you passionate about fitness? Com-Span Inc. needs volunteers to lead or support activities such as stretching, chair exercises, aerobics, walking, and dancing. The focus will be on adapting movements to accommodate each individual’s physical and cognitive abilities while promoting an inclusive environment. Volunteers will work with staff to tailor activities to individual needs. The hours are very flexible. Daytime availability is appreciated. Apply by email: admin@comspan.org. Deadline is Sept. 30.
FortWhyte Alive seeks volunteers to guide school groups on their nature field trips. You don’t have to be an expert — enthusiasm, customer service skills, time management and training are the secrets to success in this volunteer role. Training will be provided, which includes a two-hour, program-specific training session, printed program outline, sample activity schedule, and quick reference card. Commitment is one-half day per week for school programs at varied levels/ages (K-12). For more info, visit: fortwhyte.org/support/volunteer. Deadline is May 1.
Gwen Secter Creative Living Centre seeks volunteers to deliver Kosher Meals on Wheels on Fridays to the Assiniboine South and St. Boniface areas. Volunteers should plan on a maximum of two hours to deliver the meals to isolated seniors. No special skills are required, but volunteers should be committed, friendly, and possess a reliable vehicle. The centre does its best to make volunteering easy with two pickup locations. Apply online: gwensecter.com or by email: dan@gwensecter.com. Deadline is May 30.
Habitat for Humanity Manitoba is looking for family selection & support committee members. Members attend monthly meetings and conduct confidential home visits in pairs to assess families’ needs, financial abilities, and willingness to collaborate. New members receive orientation and mentoring. Ideal applicants have experience or interest in social services, housing support, client intake, financial coaching or education. Essential skills include strong listening and relationship-building abilities, along with a respectful, non-judgmental, and a culturally sensitive approach. Apply by email: kshuster@habitat.mb.ca. Deadline is July 14.
Green Action Centre’s board seeks new members to attend meetings with skills in risk, governance, marketing, fundraising, and legal areas to address sustainability challenges. The commitment is about four to six hours monthly, from September to June. Diversity and inclusivity are prioritized. Apply by email: 1anjenmclean@gmail.com. Deadline is May 2.
Prairie Strides needs volunteers for horse leading and side-walking roles this spring. They must be able to commit to a 12-week program, helping with classes on Monday and/or Wednesday evenings at West Wind Stables near Winnipeg. Leaders should have horse experience and arrive early to groom and lead horses. Side-walkers provide support and encouragement to riders. Both positions require the ability to walk and jog in sand for 60 minutes. Training and orientation are provided before the program starts. Apply at wfp.to/inN or 204-995-7932 by March 23.
The Canadian Red Cross needs volunteers. The Red Cross can show you how to help when disaster strikes. Apply at wfp.to/0pE, volunteer@redcross.ca or 1-844-818-2155.
Some people didn’t think Hutchison would be able to pursue post-secondary studies, but she entered the culinary arts program at the Manitoba Institute of Trades and Technology (then known as Winnipeg Technical College).
She went on to study nutrition and family studies at the University of Manitoba, and eventually found work at the university — first in the kitchen, and more recently with caretaking services.
In recent months, Hutchison and her fellow People First members have been focused on rebuilding the provincial chapter, which lost members during the COVID-19 pandemic.
In addition to organizing monthly virtual meetings, Hutchison helps manage the chapter’s budget, meets with government officials to advocate for people with disabilities, and gives presentations in which she talks about her personal experiences and promotes the chapter.
Highlight experiences include travelling to Alberta and Ontario to compare notes with People First chapters in those provinces.
“I am there for the people who can’t speak for themselves (and) I am there for the people who are learning to speak for themselves,” she says. “(I know) multiple families with children that have intellectual disabilities, and I do it for them — for the future.”
Hutchison is looking for more people who self-identify as having an intellectual disability to get involved with People First of Manitoba.
She’s also looking for people without intellectual disabilities to volunteer their time as advisers, who are present at People First meetings and public events to support members and help them if they need it.
Anyone interested in getting involved can call 204-899-2924 or email peoplefirstmanitoba@gmail.com.
“All of those emails come directly to me,” Hutchison says. “I will get them and I will respond.”
After 12 years and a bit more than 600 columns, I’m stepping away from the volunteers beat to dedicate more time to writing for the Free Press business section.
Sharing good news about what’s happening in Winnipeg and other parts of the province has meant so much to me, and I’m going to miss it. At the same time, I’m looking forward to new challenges.
Recently, an editor at the paper told me she was in awe that I was able to find a subject every week. The truth is that it was never difficult. There are so many volunteers who do incredible work to improve their communities and our province as a whole.
That’s why I’m glad that someone I greatly admire, AV Kitching, is stepping in to take over this column. If you know a special volunteer, be sure to email her at av.kitching@freepress.mb.ca.
Aaron Epp reports on business for the Free Press. After freelancing for the paper for a decade, he joined the staff full-time in 2024. Read more about Aaron.
Every piece of reporting Aaron produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print — part of the Free Press‘s tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press’s history and mandate, and learn how our newsroom operates.
Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber.
Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.
Aaron Epp reports on business for the Free Press. After freelancing for the paper for a decade, he joined the staff full-time in 2024. Read more about Aaron.
Every piece of reporting Aaron produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print — part of the Free Press‘s tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press’s history and mandate, and learn how our newsroom operates.
Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber.
Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.
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