Rossbrook House celebrates community!

Thank you to everyone who attended the Annual Community Meeting at Rossbrook House, June 27, 2024. The Rossbrook House Foundation and Rossbrook House Inc. boards shared their reports with the community.

We also celebrated board members, staff, volunteers, and participants.

Kiwanis Club of Winnipeg received the Leslie Galloway Volunteer Award for many years of supporting Rossbrook House, including planning annual toy shopping trips with our participants.

Participants

At the Annual Community Meeting last week two participants received special awards, presented by Program Coordinator Lori. Congratulations to Brandon on receiving the Andy Rupert Award for his sports involvement and Jackson who received the Sister MacNamara award.

These awards are voted on annually by the staff. Lori shared that Brandon is “the epitome of an athlete, he plays basketball, football, hockey, and volleyball. He is a powwow dancer, a ping pong player, a boxer, and a junior pool league player.”? Brandon is always eager to lend a hand and is well thought of amongst his peers and staff. He graduated from Gonzaga Middle School and will be attending St Paul’s High School. He will be playing Junior Varsity Football and once that is over, he will be back on the ice.

Jackson is considered the ‘unofficial welcome wagon’ at Rossbrook House. He has been a regular participant since 2016. Lori shared that Jackson “has been a part of every program Rossbrook House has to offer from Learning Always to White Sash to Leadership to powwow club.” He’s also participated in Rossbrook House powwows and this summer he will dance on the powwow trail. This past spring, Jackson made his own hand drum and performed an honour song at the No Child Alone Dinner.

“Rossbrook means everything to me,” Jackson said. “Meeting all these new people, helping the community, and being able to have these opportunities that nobody else would have.”

Congratulations to these future leaders who are inspiring our younger participants every day.

Lloyd

Staff service awards were handed out to James for ten years of service. And to Lloyd for 25 years with Rossbrook House.

Terry shared a few words about Lloyd and explained that his tenure with Rossbrook House is longer than 25 years. After a few years away, he returned, and, likely, many could not imagine Rossbrook House without him. Lloyd is often the first one to greet you at the door if you are making a delivery or donation and is the first one to welcome a former participant or staff at the door with a big smile! We’re grateful for all that he does for Rossbrook House.

Lloyd shared that Sister Gerry often told him that she “saw something in me". A great compliment from a great woman. He was part of the original crew and in 2001 said; “It was sad for me to leave in 1991, but I am glad to be back today and be part of the new addition.” Thank you Lloyd for all that you do for Rossbrook House.

Warren

Former ED Phil Chiappetta shared stories about Program and Operations Manager, Warren Goulet. Warren will be retiring from daily duties with Rossbrook House at the end of the summer.

Warren is an integral part of Rossbrook House, helping to create it with Sister Geraldine MacNamara and a few other community youth in 1976. Warren will continue to be a part of Rossbrook House. Who else will take the kids fishing or boating at Camp Maskwa!?

Phil explained how Warren was a big help to him when he became Executive Director many years ago, and what a presence Warren has been right from the start. Well known in the community, people ask about him all the time. While sharing a few stories, Phil said it was difficult to sum up “such a great character”.?

Warren also said a few words to our guests at the ACM and expressed “what a blessing” Rossbrook House has been in his life. Without it, he said, he would likely not have had the life he has, filled with work, family, and friends.

Warren is an avid pool player and outdoorsman who enjoys taking participants fishing, ice fishing, and boating. He is a big part of our annual summer camp trips.

In 2001 Warren said, “It is a real joy and honour to be a part of the Rossbrook community.” In the early days of Rossbrook House, Warren was described as someone who kept an eye out for everyone. And that hasn’t really changed. We wish Warren all the best in his retirement.

?

Read the annual report: https://bit.ly/45Knf7N

Read the Foundation’s community report: https://bit.ly/4cBcWFh

#community #meeting #RossbrookHouse