A new drop-in centre in Winnipeg’s core area, offering a food bank, clothing depot, cooking classes, sewing and beading programs, and counselling services, celebrated its grand opening on Wednesday.

Initiatives for Just Communities, which has operated in the Steinbach area since 2011, cut the ribbon for its Winnipeg drop‑in at the corner of Broadway and Good Street, in the West Broadway area.

Board chair Rev. Murray Still called the new location “a place where people can gather for healing, for transformation of their lives and for support.”

The faith-based organization traces its roots back to the 1980s and restorative justice programs of the Mennonite Central Committee. Over the years the programs evolved and expand, and IJC incorporated as an independent, non-profit charitable organization.

It caters to the needs of vulnerable individuals, particularly those with intellectual disabilities, fetal alcohol spectrum disorder or those affected by the justice system.

The organization offers residential supports, vocational training, outreach programming, day programming, home shares and supported independent living, as well as facilitating a prison visitation program and helping people reintegrate into the community after incarceration.

“This is an opportunity for folks to come here to feel seen, to feel safe, to have their needs taken care of, to be shown care and love and dignity and respect,” Families Minister Nahanni Fontaine said at Wednesday’s opening.

“I think that this space is going to be extraordinary.”

Most, if not all of those who use the organization’s services are Indigenous, said Still, who traces his heritage to the Peguis First Nation and is co-chair of the Anglican Council of Indigenous Peoples and chair of the Rupert’s Land Elder’s Circle.

The mistreatment endured by Indigenous people — including colonization, residential schools, the Sixties Scoop, MMIWG — is why the IJC works “to bring back a sense of our identity,” Still said.

“This space now will continue to reflect our commitment, not just to the participants but to the community at large. We welcome the opportunities for future relations for this Broadway area.”

Still cited other social organizations in the neighbourhood he hopes his can partner with, and said True North Health will be offering on‑site services for hearing, vision and foot care.

A public nurse will also be on hand, bringing basic services that people in the neighbourhood might otherwise have to go find, said IJC executive director Don Shackel.

A significant number of people who rely on the organization are referred by provincial government organizations like Child and Family Services, Family Services and the Justice Department, and many are homeless, he said.

“We want this to be a safe place for people to come, even to have a shower if that’s what they need, do their laundry, have a warm meal and just feel loved and supported,” Shackel said.

“When young adults exit care at 18, many find themselves vulnerable to homelessness, addiction, gangs and violence. Our programs focus on healing, restoration, and transformation to reduce these negative outcomes.”

The new IJC Winnipeg offices are open Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and offer a range of classes, programs and counselling services.

“We encourage people to come by and to join us here in this space. You can volunteer here, you can just come in for a coffee … and be with us,” said Still.

“Everything we do here is leaning towards this healing and reconciliation.”