Trimbee at United Way launch announcing 2014 CEO Sleepout
WINNIPEG, MB – The goal is to end life on the streets, spark discussion about homelessness and create jobs for Winnipeg’s most vulnerable: on any given night, an estimated 350 people stay in one of the city’s homeless shelters, 700 to 1,000 people stay in single room occupancy hotels, and more than 1,400 people bunk with relatives, friends or acquaintances in temporary accommodation.
On September 18th, more than 145 community leaders, including Dr. Annette Trimbee, President and Vice-Chancellor, UWinnipeg will take to the streets at the 4th annual CEO Sleepout organized by the Downtown Winnipeg BIZ. Camped out at Portage and Main, participants will help to elevate the discussion about homelessness and raise funds to give those living on the streets employment opportunities.
Downtown Winnipeg BIZ’s Stephano Grande (l) and Sachit Mehra (r) with Trimbee
Participating CEOs in the Sleepout can be sponsored directly online and/or general donations towards Change for the Better can be done in three ways:
- Online at www.changeforthebetter.org
- Cheque or money order made out to “Downtown BIZ – Change for the Better” (Downtown Winnipeg BIZ, 426 Portage Avenue, Winnipeg, Manitoba, R3C 0C9)
- Collection boxes at participating venues downtown
Since its inception, the CEO Sleepout has raised nearly half a million dollars to employ 40 individuals who are homeless – providing shelter, quality of life supports, and an opportunity to contribute back to the city in a positive and meaningful way. Many of these individuals have returned to school or found permanent full-time jobs – prospects once considered unattainable due to the numerous barriers facing those deeply entrenched in the cycle of poverty and homelessness.
“The University of Winnipeg has a deep commitment to strengthening our downtown community and participating in community-based initiatives, and I am honoured to be part of this year’s Sleepout,” said Trimbee. “UWinnipeg is also a leading contributor in finding effective solutions to homelessness, through Dr. Jino Distasio’s role as a Principal Investigator with the At Home – Chez Soi project.”
Also participating in the 2014 Sleepout from UWinnipeg are:
- Christopher Leo, University of Winnipeg, Faculty
- Ian Vickers, Diversity Food Services, Chief Operating Officer
- Kirsten Godbout, Diversity Food Services, Manager of Food Operations
- Vanessa Wu, University of Winnipeg Business Administration Students’ Association, President
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For more information about the CEO Sleepout please contact:
Jason Syvixay, Managing Director
Ph: (204) 958-4635; 997-3040
Email: jason@downtownwinnipegbiz.com
MEDIA CONTACT
Diane Poulin, Senior Communications Specialist, The University of Winnipeg
P: 204.988.7135, E: d.poulin@uwinnipeg.ca
