For 30 years, Taking Charge! has been quietly changing lives in Winnipeg — one single parent at a time. What began in 1995 as a joint government pilot project has grown into a full-service educational and personal development program that meets participants exactly where they are, offering a path to a Mature Grade 12, workplace readiness, counselling, and computer skills training, all under one roof. With on-site licensed childcare for infants through preschool-aged children, the organization removes one of the most significant barriers standing between a parent and their future.
Describe your charity/non-profit/volunteer work in a few sentences.
Taking Charge! provides single parents and women on Employment and Income Assistance (EIA) full-time programming to work towards obtaining their Mature Grade 12. Through personal development programs, counselling, educational programs, and computer skills workshops, Taking Charge! prepares participants to succeed in the workplace or continue their education in post-secondary institutions. We also offer a fully subsidized and licensed childcare facility on-site for infants, toddlers, and preschool children.
What problem does it aim to solve?
Taking Charge! aims to address the effects of poverty and colonization and the inter-generational cycles that can occur through providing Educational and Personal Development Programming with a focus on reducing barriers to success.
When did you start/join it?
Taking Charge! began in 1995 as a joint pilot project between the Federal and Provincial governments. Lloyd Axworthy and Bonnie Mitchelson had a vision that single parents could be supported to find employment with the assistance of Taking Charge!
What made you want to get involved?
Taking Charge’s intent was to break down the barriers for single parents who wish to enter the workforce by providing daycare, education, and other needed supports. The effects of poverty and colonization were evident when Taking Charge! first opened, and the goal was to reduce these effects and help people achieve their goals and live the lives they desired.
What was the situation like when you started?
When our doors first opened, there were many single parents on social assistance who found themselves facing significant financial difficulties and barriers to completing or upgrading their education. Many of these people required support to obtain their education or develop the skills that would help them enter the workforce and obtain a job that would support themselves and their children.
How has it changed since?
While our goal is the same, the challenges our participants face have become more complex. The cycle of poverty, inter-generational trauma, the impacts of colonization, and other societal issues, such as addictions and mental health issues, increase barriers for our students and make it more challenging for them to obtain their education. However, our programs have been adapted so we can continue to address the needs of our participants and maximize their chances of success in our programs, in post-secondary education, the workplace, and in their personal lives.
What more needs to be done?
Societal changes to address the poverty and housing crisis, more supports for addictions and mental health, and increased focused on early intervention for families to help them break these cycles and achieve their goals. More funding for adult education centres so we can continue to be a service to our community and help participants the way we have been for 30 years.
How can our readers help?
We are always in need of monetary donations to ensure our students have what they need to be able to focus on obtaining their education. We also have a wish list of items we are often in need of, all of which are items that go to the participants to help supplement their education. Donations can be made by visiting our website.
Do you have any events coming up?
We are celebrating 30 years in our community at our Open House on May 28th, 2026, from 11:30 to 1:30 at our office at 276 Colony. We will be having guest speakers, building tours, and refreshments to celebrate 30 years of serving our community.
Where can we follow you?
Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn
Our current website is https://takingcharge.org/, but this is in the process of being updated and will change.
PAY IT FORWARD: What is an awesome local charity that you love?
All of our community partners in the West Broadway/Downtown Winnipeg area!
