A Building Already Serving Community
Over the last few weeks, we have spent a lot of time at 891 St. Mary’s Road.
Meeting with people.
Walking through the building.
Imagining possibilities.
Learning the rhythms of a space that is already deeply connected to the disability community in Winnipeg.
Because this is not an empty building waiting for purpose.
It is already home to a day program serving adults with disabilities.
People already gather here every day for care, routine, support, and connection.
That history matters to us.
As Hope Centre Ministries steps into ownership of the building, our hope is not to replace what is already happening here, but to build upon it carefully and thoughtfully.
To continue shaping this space as a place where people experience belonging.
Why Space Matters
Over the years, Hope Centre Ministries has continued growing in ways we could not have fully anticipated.
Community Sunday gatherings expanded.
Friendship from Home reached people far beyond Winnipeg.
Mid-Week Meets created connection for individuals who were isolated during the week.
Churches continued reaching out for support and training around disability inclusion.
The Raw Carrot HCM grew into meaningful supported employment for individuals facing barriers to traditional work.
And through all of it, one thing became increasingly clear:
Ministry needs room to happen.
Not simply office space.
Gathering space.
Program space.
Volunteer space.
Storage space.
Meeting space.
Operational space that allows ministry to function well and sustainably.
At Henderson, those realities became harder and harder to navigate as available gathering space changed.
At the same time, the need for community continued growing.
And that is part of what led Hope Centre Ministries into this next chapter.
What Is Home for Hope?
Home for Hope is the vision of creating a long-term home for Hope Centre Ministries within 891 St. Mary’s Road.
A home for our programs.
A home for Community Sunday.
A home for Friendship from Home.
A home for Mid-Week Meets.
A home for staff, volunteers, care, prayer, and connection.
A home that also supports the operational needs of The Raw Carrot HCM.
Right now, the building does not yet fully support those needs.
Renovations and redevelopment will be needed to create an HCM suite within the building that can thoughtfully hold the different parts of ministry together under one roof.
And while there is still much work ahead, there is also tremendous hope in imagining what that could mean.
Not simply for HCM.
But for the wider community.
The Standard of Belonging
One phrase has continued shaping many of our conversations during this season:
The Standard of Belonging.
At its heart, the idea is simple:
The spaces we create should reflect the value of the people who use them.
Not “good enough.”
Thoughtful.
Accessible.
Welcoming.
Comfortable.
Clear.
Dignified.
Because spaces communicate things long before words do.
They communicate whether people were considered.
Whether accessibility mattered.
Whether hospitality matters.
Whether belonging was planned for intentionally.
For too long, spaces serving people with disabilities have often been shaped by what was merely available or functional.
Home for Hope is an opportunity to think more carefully than that.
To create spaces that reflect care, dignity, and belonging from the moment someone arrives.
Why This Matters Beyond Hope Centre Ministries
This vision is bigger than one organization.
Because communities need places where people can gather well.
Places where individuals living with disabilities are not simply accommodated, but genuinely welcomed and included.
Places where churches can grow in understanding and relationship.
Places where volunteers, caregivers, families, and community members can connect meaningfully.
Places where people feel known.
In a time when many people are experiencing isolation and disconnection, spaces that foster belonging matter deeply.
That is part of what we hope this building can continue becoming.
A visible and lasting place of community, care, and connection within Winnipeg.
Looking Ahead Together
The work ahead will happen over time.
There are plans to develop ministry and program spaces within the building while continuing to steward the community already present there well.
There will be renovations.
Planning.
Conversations.
Partnerships.
Fundraising.
Careful decisions.
But underneath all of it is something simple:
A desire to create a home for hope.
A place where people gather.
A place where people are known.
A place where belonging continues growing.
Join the Conversation
As we continue shaping this next chapter, we have been asking an important question:
What helps a space feel welcoming and inclusive to you?
Is it:
- accessible spaces?
- warm hospitality?
- thoughtful design?
- places to gather around tables?
- quiet spaces to pause?
- people greeting you by name?
- spaces that help people feel calm and comfortable?
We would genuinely love to hear your thoughts.
Share your reflections in the comments or join the conversation on social media this week.
And if you would like to follow the Home for Hope journey, we invite you to subscribe to Currents for future stories, updates, and photos as this next chapter continues unfolding.
