We’re settling into the “new normal” at RRC, knowing full well that the only certain thing right now is uncertainty. As we continue to adapt to constant change, we’ve seen our alumni community overcome incredible challenges – you are what Manitoba is made of and you make us all #RRCproud.

You continue to inspire us with the work you are doing to adapt your businesses, provide new services, and volunteer your expertise to help those in need.

Here are some ‘good news’ stories from our alumni community:

• The Prairie Collective is hosting a virtual day of wellness, Prairie Bloom, this weekend. The Prairie Collective is the evolution of Prairie Yogi Inc and Prairie Love Festival, launched by RRC alum Rachelle Taylor. Their seasonal wellness festivals and events across Manitoba have been bringing world-class yoga and wellness experiences to Central Canada since 2014. The Collective is selling Bloom Boxes supporting local businesses to elevate the at-home experience, and to make the virtual festival as accessible as possible, scholarships are available to those in need of financial support.
• UpHouse, co-owned by RRC grad Kiirsten May, is once again stepping up to help the community, this time by transforming itself into a children’s book publisher to support families and celebrate frontline workers in the wake of COVID-19. “Frontline Friends” is a collection of kid-friendly, educational colouring sheets, featuring line drawings of real, local frontline workers. The printables are free to download.
• Sourdough is making a giant comeback as more people are taking up baking as a hobby while spending more time at home. At the forefront of this trend is RRC grad Lisa Sylvestre, who was featured in the Winnipeg Free Press earlier this month. Sylvestre’s passion for baking sourdough predates the pandemic – it began years ago when she was gifted a 150-year-old sourdough starter lovingly named Cornelius (originally from the Basque region of Spain). You can read the full story here.

We know this is just a small sampling of what our alumni community is up to – we will continue to share these good news stories with you!

If you have some good news to share, DM us on social media, email us, or update your contact information to let us know.

RRC updates and resources:

• If you are seeking innovative, creative, technically-skilled employees, look no further than one of RRC’s co-operative education programs. Co-op remains a component of many programs, and is a vital part of a student’s education experience. With flexible start dates and duration of work terms, and the ability to work remotely, a Red River College student can help your business grow even in the toughest of times. There are a variety of supports available to employers hiring co-op students during this time. RRC is ready to work with you to fill talent gaps and help train the next generation of Manitoba’s essential workers. Learn more about employer benefits here. 
• Sherpa Marketing, along with their partners, want to help businesses in need through the “Adopt a Business” Challenge. Many small businesses will be collateral damage in the COVID-19 world and that is why Sherpa is offering up to $50,000 in free professional marketing services to one company in Winnipeg and one in Kitchener-Waterloo. They hope the initiative can help save a livelihood or two. RRC grad Doug Darling, owner of Tripwire Media, has signed on as a Partner to help deliver marketing services to the winning businesses. Applications close May 8, 2020, with selected businesses notified May 12, 2020.

Stay in touch – follow Red River College news and update your contact information so we can reach out when we have important news to share.