Working on the frontline in a domestic violence shelter is fast-paced, emotional, and deeply meaningful work. No two days look exactly the same, but every shift is centered around supporting individuals and families through some of the most difficult moments of their lives.

A typical day in crisis response often includes counselling sessions, advocacy work, referrals, safety planning, and helping clients navigate complex systems and barriers. Counselling sessions are client-led and focus on helping individuals work toward their goals at their own pace. This can include discussing housing, financial supports, healing from trauma, or simply processing life experiences and emotions in a safe space.

Frontline workers also spend a great deal of time connecting clients with resources. This may include writing referrals for counselling, financial assistance, or long-term support programs. Staff regularly help clients search for housing, access community supports, and problem solve through barriers that arise along the way.

When someone first arrives at a shelter, staff recognize that they are often arriving during one of the most overwhelming moments of their lives. The first priority is helping the individual feel safe and supported. Clients are welcomed with compassion, offered clean clothing, water, and space to breathe and process. Intake conversations happen at the client’s pace, recognizing the importance of trauma-informed care. Staff also provide tours of the shelter and welcome items such as hygiene products and comfort items to help create a sense of safety and care.

Just like its network television inspiration, the Tim Hortons Brewed to Win Amazing Race event is set to run on Saturday. The event is entering its seventh season, with this being the second year where entry is open to teams from the community and not just local businesses.

“After setting up the pit stops around the city for the racers, hosts and onlookers kept asking us ‘Hey! how do we get involved in this?’” said event chairperson Jorge Sousa.

“We had to open it up to meet demand and of course boost the awareness for some great causes like the cancer support crew. It started off as a way to show employee appreciation, but it was so much fun for those in the community we now invite anyone who can put together a team to join in.”

Sousa, who is the general manager for all three Steinbach Tim Hortons, is no stranger to building community spirit and public awareness regarding great local organizations, as he has also helped coordinate events benefitting the Steinbach Family Resource Centre and Summer in the City.

There is no shortage of announcements made by this Liberal government.

Some even sound similar to Conservative platform promises—until it comes to implementation, policy, game plans and action.

Following Iran’s seizure of the Strait of Hormuz, Canada pledged 23.6 million barrels of oil as part of the International Energy Agency’s emergency 400-million-barrel release. Two Conservative MPs asked a simple question: What policies did the government actually put in place to make that promise a reality?

The Minister’s response revealed that no new policies, regulations, or legislation were implemented to fulfill Canada’s commitment. As the National Post observed, “Canada’s oil output is decided by private-sector producers—companies that raise or lower their production based on a range of factors like commodity prices, pipeline availability and maintenance schedules.” In other words, the Liberal government announced a production target without introducing any mechanism to achieve it, relying instead on private producers to hopefully fulfill the pledge they had made.