Yesterday, the federal and provincial government announced over $12 million in combined funding towards community initiatives and organizations working to end gender-based violence. RRC Polytech’s Shelter Support Worker micro-credential will receive $350,000 to continue to offer this important tuition-free program – one of 19 organizations in Manitoba to receive support.

The announcement was held at RRC Polytech’s Manitou a bi Bii daziigae where the Honourable Marci Ien, Women and Gender Equality and Youth Minister for the Government of Canada and the Honourable Nahanni Fontaine, minister responsible for women and gender equity announced a combined $6.2 million in federal funding with $6.35 million from Manitoba through Year Two of the National Action Plan to End Gender-Based Violence.

“We are honoured to be a part of this announcement and receive support for our tuition-free shelter support worker micro-credential,” said Christine Watson, vice-president academic, Red River College Polytechnic at the announcement. “This training prepares current and future shelter workers to support those in need of refuge from difficult and sometimes dangerous situations. RRC Polytech is proud to be a partner in creating a safer Manitoba for all.”

RRC Polytech’s Shelter Support Worker micro-credential program is the first of its kind in Manitoba and was designed with industry partners to address skill gaps, meet community needs and improve staffing levels and delivery service in homeless and family violence shelters across the province.

Last year, RRC Polytech celebrated its first cohort of 23 students successfully completing the program and next month will host a ceremony for an additional 19 who will complete the second cohort.

The Shelter Support Worker micro-credential was developed in partnership with RRC Polytech and Manitoba Association of Women’s Shelters (MAWS) and Manitoba’s family violence and homeless shelters. The program aims to provide essential skills and knowledge for individuals involved in or aspiring to work in homeless and family and gender-based violence shelters.

The program trains existing and potential workers, provides individuals with specific knowledge and education and improves staffing levels and service delivery. It also provides individuals a chance to apply their knowledge through a practicum.

The bilateral funding agreement is part of the second year of a comprehensive 10-year National Action Plan to End Gender-Based Violence which aims to create a Canada free of GBV and provide support to victims, survivors and their families across the country.

Supported initiatives – like the Shelter Support Worker micro-credential – align with five pillars: supports for survivors and their families; prevention; responsive justice system; implementing Indigenous-led approaches; and social infrastructure and enabling environment.

“To work towards a future free from gender-based violence, our government is supporting community-driven actions in Manitoba,” said the Honourable Marci Ien in a joint press release. “By investing over $6.2 million in 2024-25, we are empowering Manitoban organizations to lead the way forward in preventing and addressing gender-based violence. Together with the Manitoba government, we are implementing the National Action Plan to End Gender-based Violence to ensure safety, support and justice for all.”

“We need to put a stop to gender-based violence in our homes and communities, and make sure survivors have the supports they need,” said the Honourable Nahanni Fontaine in a joint press release. “We are taking action to ensure there are more supports for survivors of sexual assault and domestic violence, working with communities to break cycles of violence, and supporting Indigenous-led and community-informed approaches to address gender-based violence across Manitoba.”

To learn more about the Shelter Support Worker micro-credential, visit rrc.ca