The Inner City Work Study Program equips the next generation of urban leaders

The University of Winnipeg's Inner City Work Studies Program deepens the connection between academia and the wider community.

The program, part of the Department of Urban and Inner Cities Research, was inspired by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada's 94 Calls to Action, which call for “sustained public education and dialogue, including youth engagement,” for reconciliation.

The 16-week program, which runs each spring and summer, allows Indigenous, non-Indigenous and newcomer students to study and work together in Winnipeg's inner city. Students spend four days a week on the job at a community-based urban organization and one day a week in the classroom, learning theories of community practice in urban settings. Each placement is tailored to the student's skills and interests.

I was completely immersed in everything they did there. It was a truly special opportunity.

Danny Mesozhednik

“The Urban Work Studies program is a powerful work-integrated learning experience for students and the communities they serve,” said Dr. Shauna MacKinnon, professor and chair of the Department of Urban and Inner City Studies and founder of Inner. – Urban work study program. “Students learn community-practice theory in the context of engagement from instructors with experience in the field. They apply what they have learned in community service and bring what they have learned through their work back to the classroom.”

Students get much more out of the program than course credit. They will also gain a better understanding of themselves, each other, the workforce and Winnipeg's social landscape, as well as practical skills such as grant writing, de-escalation and harm reduction.

Shinnia Kipling and Danny Mesojednik were both shaped by their time on the program.

Shinnia Kipling

Shinnia Kipling is a fourth-year conflict resolution major at Peguis First Nation who completed the Work Study program in 2023. Her workplace was at the North Point Douglas Women's Center.

“I grew up in that area,” Kipling said. “I remember that the center was built in the early 2000s. It was a resource my mother had access to as she raised me and my three brothers as a single parent.”

She began staffing the reception area, providing food and clothing, accepting donations and collecting emergency food supplies. Kipling saw firsthand how many clients had to visit multiple service agencies to obtain basic needs.

“When you live in poverty, it takes all day to get what you need,” he said.

Working with clients with mental health challenges has allowed Kipling to practice conflict resolution and harm reduction skills in a trauma-informed way.

“De-escalating the situation was beneficial not only to me, but also to the community member I spoke with,” Kipling said. “Combining my schooling with my life experience has given me a huge advantage.”

Kipling's biggest challenge was planning the Center's annual street festival, which drew more than 500 people.

“We had to write grants and sponsorship letters to get funding,” he said. “I was able to raise $6,500, which included everything from food to entertainment and prizes.”

Kipling also participated in a partnership between the Center and the Women's Health Clinic to host a pizza bake and bonfire for over 40 people. The wood-fired stove has been out of service since 2019 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Kipling said the Work Study program “can change the narrative of what people see and know about the North End and the inner city”.

“It's a beautiful place. The community members are amazing.”

Kipling is considering a Master's Degree in Social Work or a Master's Degree in Development Practice (MDP).

Danny Mesozhednik

Danny Mesojednik is a fourth-year double major in Urban and Inner City Studies and English who completed the Inner City Work Studies Program in 2022. Growing up in the West Kildonan neighborhood of Winnipeg, they later worked part-time at a youth academy. secondary school. The experience inspired them to pursue education in a related field.

Mesozhednik's employment took place at Resource Assistance for Youth (RaY), which provides free resources and programs to anyone 29 and younger. Mesojednik enjoyed creating the curriculum for RaY's Level Up initiative.

“I created courses on grocery shopping on a budget, how to keep your house clean, and other things that young people sometimes miss when they go to work full time,” they said.

Mesozhednik also shadowed staff involved in various activities.

“I was completely immersed in everything they did there. It was a really special opportunity,” they say.

Mesozhednik currently works as a program specialist for the BEST program (Employability Skills for Today's Youth) in youth employment services. The 10-day course teaches young adults receiving Employment and Income Support the life and work skills they need to succeed in employment.

“It's exciting to be able to use these skills directly from Work Study and to know that Work Study is the reason I was hired,” they said.

Mesozhednik plans to continue working in employment for non-profit organizations, as they enjoy connecting with people.

“That's where I found my passion. Working with young people to help them find work they love is the most rewarding thing, because work comes with a lot of independence.”

Mesozhednik also said that they developed a friendship with the coordinator of the Work Study program, who is also their mentor. They say the program provided a deeper opportunity than a typical practicum could offer.