“A furnished home provides more than comfort—it provides dignity, stability, and hope. At Oyate Tipi, we believe everyone deserves not just a house, but a place they can truly call home.” — Greg Georgeson
Describe your charity/non-profit/volunteer work in a few sentences.
Oyate Tipi is Winnipeg’s furniture bank and a registered charity that redistributes gently used furniture and household items to individuals and families experiencing furniture poverty. We help people transitioning from homelessness, families fleeing domestic violence, youth aging out of care, and others who are starting over with little or nothing. Through furniture reuse, volunteer engagement, and community partnerships, we help turn empty housing into homes.
What problem does it aim to solve?
Many people assume that once someone secures housing, their challenges are over. The reality is that many individuals and families move into empty apartments or homes without beds, tables, dressers, or other basic necessities. Furniture poverty affects health, dignity, family stability, child development, and overall well-being. Our goal is to ensure that people don’t just have a roof over their heads—they have a safe, comfortable, and dignified place to live.
When did you start/join it?
I joined Oyate Tipi over four years ago as Executive Director.
What made you want to get involved?
I have spent much of my career working in the services sector and have always been drawn to practical solutions that make an immediate difference in people’s lives. What stood out about Oyate Tipi was that every donation, every volunteer hour, and every partnership has a direct and visible impact on families.
What was the situation like when you started?
Like many organizations, Oyate Tipi was still navigating the impacts of COVID-19. Demand for services was increasing, funding was becoming more challenging, and operational systems needed modernization.
How has it changed since?
Over the last four years, we have modernized many of our systems, implemented Salesforce for client management, improved our website and communications, expanded our partnerships, and increased our community visibility. We’ve strengthened our volunteer program, enhanced our pest-management and furniture processing standards, and continued to grow programs like our Beds for Kids initiative.
What more needs to be done?
Furniture poverty remains a significant but often overlooked issue. More sustainable funding is needed to support furniture banks and other organizations that help people establish and maintain housing. The demand for our services continues to exceed the resources available, particularly when it comes to beds, mattresses, and children’s furniture.
How can our readers help?
Donate gently used furniture and household goods, volunteer your time, make a financial donation, become a sponsor or community partner, and help spread awareness about furniture poverty.
Do you have any events coming up?
We regularly host volunteer opportunities through our Beds for Kids program and hold community fundraising and awareness events throughout the year. Visit our website and social media channels for current events and opportunities.
Where can we follow you?
PAY IT FORWARD: What is an awesome local charity that you love?
End Homelessness Winnipeg plays a vital role in coordinating efforts to prevent and end homelessness in our community and is an organization I deeply respect.
