Give a hand up, not a hand out.
Supporting homeless employment programs.

WAYS TO DONATE: Click the button to the right to donate through PayPal, call 958-4640, or mail a cheque to the BIZ. Tax receipts issued upon request OR for donations over $20.



Drop your spare change into a Change for the Better collection box and help give someone less fortunate a second chance.

All proceeds to Change for the Better support homeless employment programs, like the Mission: Off the Streets Team (MOST), a program created by Siloam Mission and the Downtown BIZ in 2007.

Make the MOST of it!
MOST provides a structured work environment with social supports such as counselling, resume-writing, meals, etc. Through solid work experience within a supportive team environment, MOST participants build the self-esteem and self-confidence to move into healthier lifestyles that include a stable home and permanent job.

Former MOST Members
Now working full-time with the Downtown BIZ Clean Team.

Brian Tait, 27
“I always just wanted someone to give me an opportunity for a full-time job. That’s all I wanted. I didn’t want to go the welfare route,” he says. “I have a smile on my face every day when I go home now. I shake my keys. To know that everything I got is mine, I just feel better inside.”

Rick McMillan, 53
“After MOST I was able to pick myself up, get a job, get my own place, get a bank account going. Everything started to look up after that.”

“It built my self-esteem right up. I don’t feel bad being out in the streets anymore. People know what I’m doing. I’m doing something to help myself and help keep the city clean. It’s worked out great. Life’s generally changing to the better now.”

“It gives people something to do during the day. For four to six hours during the day they’re working. They’re not in a bar drinking, they’re not somewhere doing crack. It gives some direction. This is what I need,” he says. “Lord knows where I would have been if the BIZ hadn’t been able to subsidize the MOST team.”

Tips when approached by a panhandler
When does a panhandler cross the line?

Quotes from other MOST members

“I made some bad choices and MOST put my feet back on the ground. It gave me that little glimmer of hope that there's something coming.”

“It makes me feel good because people say we're doing a good job. It makes me feel proud.”

“I feel a lot better about myself because I'm actually doing something that's constructive not destructive.”

“It's those little things that stick out in my mind. Every time we’re down on the street, people say “hi” to us, “good job.” And it makes us feel good and want to work harder. When we come away from that we feel better.”

“I always get people coming up and shaking hands and buying a cup of coffee. It helps with my self-esteem. It's great to know that we might be saving someone from slipping by keeping things clean.”

“I feel great. I’m somebody now. I'm not roaming the streets looking for this, looking for that. This is like my second home.”

“It's nice to be recognized for doing something rather than what I was doing before.”

“The MOST program is a stepping stone for us to get you on your feet and also prepares you for other work.“

“It's taught me more about responsibility, leadership, working together as a group, helping each other with their problems.”

Give real change, not spare change.

Help homeless people get off the street and into permanent paid employment and a healthier environment.

When you give your spare change to panhandlers, are you really helping them?

We know it’s hard to say no to panhandlers. Now you can say “yes” to helping.

Rather than giving your spare change to panhandlers who might use the money to feed an addiction, and which can encourage them to stay on the street, drop it in a Change for the Better collection box, located at participating businesses. Your donation will support social agencies that provide employment programs to people in need.

Making a Change for the Better since 1992
• Over $95,000 raised
• Over 80 donation boxes
• 100% of donations go to homeless employment programs

For donation box locations and more information on the Change for the Better Program, call the Downtown Winnipeg BIZ at 958-4640.
www.downtownwinnipegbiz.com

Downtown Social Agencies
 

• Agape Table - 175 Colony Street

• Holy Trinity Anglican Church - 256 Smith Street
• Main Street Project - 75 Martha Street
• Salvation Army - 180 Henry Avenue
• Siloam/Lions Den - 564 Main Street
• Lighthouse Mission - 669 Main Street
• Union Gospel Mission - 320 Princess Street

Thanks to Change for the Better campaign sponsors:

Change for the Better - Collection Box locations
Pick up a Help Key at any Change for the Better collection box, located at these businesses:

Donate to Change for the Better:

 Fast Facts

• 100% of donations to Change for the Better go to six downtown social agencies.
• There are enough resources available that no one needs to go hungry.
• Winnipeg social agencies offer a range of services to people who can't afford to pay for them, like providing a sports coat for a job interview or a place to warm up when it's cold outside.
• Change for the Better has been helping people turn their lives around since 1992.