Celebrating Seniors at the Barbara Mitchell Family Resource Centre in Winnipeg

In March, Clement Manaigre celebrated his birthday in a gym full of his peers and friends. The group enjoyed a buffet lunch of perogies, cabbage rolls, meatballs, veggies and coleslaw, topped off with a huge sheet cake. There was even live music performed by the corps officers from Living Hope Community Church. The celebration was part of the monthly activities for seniors at the Barbara Mitchell Family Resource Centre (BMFRC) in Winnipeg.

“It was the biggest birthday party I ever had,” he jokes.

Clem has been coming to the seniors’ program at the BMFRC in the St. Vital neighbourhood for eight years. Four days a week, he participates in various activities that include exercise, recreation, guest speakers and cooking classes.

For seniors who live alone, the cooking classes have been a highlight, explains Clem. Cooking for one, on a budget can be a challenge, but with the cooking classes, participants can prepare a variety of nutritious dishes and share them. The participants come together and learn new recipes they prepare in the state-of-the-art kitchen at the centre. Then they take home portions they can eat throughout the week.

Clem shared that he has really been enjoying what they had been cooking lately, which included chicken stir-fry, shepherd’s pie, lasagna, butternut squash and apple soup and savoury muffins.

“On Mondays, we walk. Tuesday is STARS (Seniors Tuesday AM Recreation Spot), where you can have coffee and conversation and play games on the Wii, like bowling. Sometimes there are outings or crafts,” he says. “Wednesday is the Steppin’ Up exercise class, and on Thursdays, we play pickleball.”

The programs are all free of charge and open to anyone 55 or older. Many participants have found a sense of community and enjoy being around others in their age group. A monthly calendar of events is posted on the bulletin board at the centre, and participants can choose as many or as few activities as they like. Once

“If someone is interested in what we do here, just come talk to Shelia,” says Clem, referring to senior’s program coordinator Sheila Keys.

For more information on the seniors’ program in Winnipeg, you can email seniors.bmfrc@shaw.ca or call 204-990-2339.

Read more about how the seniors’ programs at BMFRC help seniors connect and keep active: Brighter Days for Lonely and Isolated Seniors.