Helping hand in times of crisis
Red Cross volunteer honoured for years of service
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Melanie Young was taken aback when she was awarded the Order of the Red Cross after 14 years of service.
“I appreciate it but it’s still a surprise. I feel like I don’t deserve it. There’s so many volunteers and so many teams everywhere involved in what we do. So many others that deserve it,” says the Canadian Red Cross volunteer.
The Pas resident was given the organization’s highest honour for supporting Manitobans during some of their most difficult moments at a private ceremony this month.
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After 14 years of service, Melanie Young was awarded the Order of the Red Cross, one of just 483 Canadians to receive this recognition since 1984.
Young was the only recipient of the award in the province this year and is one of 483 Canadians to have received the honour since its creation in 1984.
Her recognition shines a spotlight on the often unseen role rural Manitobans play in responding to emergencies.
“From one-on-one disaster assistance to leading emergency response teams during large-scale operations, Young has become known within the organization for her compassion, mentorship and ability to build trust under pressure,” a spokesperson from the Canadian Red Cross states.
Young joined the Canadian Red Cross nearly 15 years ago. A friend had suggested the idea and she didn’t need much convincing.
“I thought it was a worthy cause to get involved with. I like being able to help people who are facing an immediate problem,” she shares.
Young started out as a responder, the first point of contact for individuals displaced by emergency.
“There’s two different kinds of emergencies I deal with — emergencies such as forest fires and personal disasters such as house fires,” she explains.
The front-facing role requires the completion of training modules.
“We learn more about our role and how to function in that role and we are trained on how to work with people who have experienced trauma. We also receive training on Indigenous cultures and communities because in Manitoba, our large-scale evacuations are done with First Nations communities,” Young says.
Part of the training is learning how to approach and communicate with people who are in a state of shock. Volunteers can sometimes encounter people who have been evacuated multiple times due to different emergencies.
“Being displaced from your home, being displaced from your community, is incredibly difficult. They’ve experienced this more than once, they’re remembering how they felt and they’re revisiting all that pain and stress from previous times,” Young says.
“You need to lead by listening because sometimes someone may need to just talk. You have to be very sensitive, very empathetic. And you need to listen first before you speak, before you ask for information from them.”
In the years she’s been volunteering Young has moved through the ranks and is currently site manager at The Pas.
She has built relationships with the communities she works with after assisting them on an ongoing basis, which, depending on the scale of disasters, can often last several weeks.
She points out that when people’s initial shock recedes, they are able to share moments of levity.
“Even when people are experiencing so much trauma, all of a sudden someone will joke because they’re not in the state of shock they came in with. It’s nice to see people start to feel like they’re safe,” she says. “And they’re still so worried, it’s not like they’re all better.
“And often times people include you, they tell you stories, share things about their community you didn’t know before. They kind of adopt you, make you part of their community. It’s a nice feeling … it makes you feel like ‘OK, I did something for someone today, I did something worthwhile.’”
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Volunteer opportunities
THE following is a list of volunteer opportunities for Winnipeg and surrounding areas. For more information about these listings, contact the organization directly. Volunteer Manitoba does not place volunteers with organizations but can help people find opportunities. To learn more about its programs and services, go to wfp.to/volunteers or call 204-477-5180.
- West End Cultural Centre is seeking concerts and events volunteers. Volunteers set up for shows, run the concession, bartend, usher, provide security, take and sell tickets at the door, sell merchandise, and do the post-show cleanup. In return you get to join Winnipeg’s vibrant music community and meet new people. One or two shifts per month requested, subject to events scheduled and volunteer availability. Apply online: http://wfp.to/ixn. Deadline is Dec. 15.
- Newcomers Employment and Education Development Services (N.E.E.D.S.) Inc. seeks remote after-school volunteer mentors (English) for its program aiding newcomer and refugee children and youth, Grades 1-12. These mentors provide settlement information, build positive relationships, and enhance language skills. The program runs September to June, Monday-Thursday, 4-8 p.m., with sessions held via Zoom. Ideal mentors are responsible, reliable, patient, and committed. Experience with youth and remote work is a plus but not required. Volunteers gain leadership and communication skills, useful in education careers. A minimum commitment of 2.5 hours weekly for three months is expected. Apply online: http://wfp.to/ixc, or by phone: 204-940-1279. Deadline is Dec. 31.
- Equal Opportunities West Inc. needs you to be an active and contributing board. Board members are responsible for directing the management and affairs of EOW, including reviewing financial statements, reviewing policies and setting strategic direction of the organization. Previous experience as board member is an asset. Please provide a resume when applying. Cover letters are always appreciated. Apply by email: board@equalopportunitieswest.com. Deadline is Oct. 26.
- Local Investment Toward Employment (LITE) Inc. is seeking event volunteers for LITE’s annual Wild Blueberry Pancake Breakfast on Friday, Nov. 27. Roles include: serving food, making and serving coffee, clearing and wiping tables, event set up and clean up. For more information and to apply, email info@lite.mb.ca. Deadline is Nov. 6.
- The StoryBridge Network is seeking dedicated volunteers to help bring the StoryStrong 2026 Conference to life! Whether you want flexible event-day tasks or hands-on professional leadership experience in the non-profit sector, they have a role for you. Apply online: http://wfp.to/ixa. Deadline is Oct. 30.
- Volunteer at Manitoba Choral Association’s (MCA) ChoralFest. Volunteers play an active role in the annual non-competitive choral festival as choir hosts, and the MCA is looking for friendly, outgoing, music-loving people to join its team. Apply online at http://wfp.to/ixT or contact programs@mbchoralassociation.ca for more information. Deadline is Oct. 25.
- The Manitoba Alliance of Health Regulatory Colleges (MAHRC) is seeking Manitobans to join its Citizen Advisory Group (CAG) and share their perspectives, experiences, and feedback to help strengthen public protection. MAHRC welcomes diverse applicants, including those from equity-deserving, marginalized, and underrepresented communities, and no previous health-regulation experience is required. CAG members should be thoughtful communicators, active listeners, collaborative, curious, respectful of confidentiality, and able to participate in virtual meetings. Members attend approximately four meetings per year, review materials, provide feedback, and may receive an honorarium. Applicants cannot have an active complaint or legal matter with a health regulatory college or have had one within the past five years. For more information visit http://wfp.to/ixJ. Deadline is Nov. 27.
- CancerCare Manitoba is looking for volunteers. Be part of a team that is working to improve cancer care for all Manitobans. Volunteer opportunities include: patient guides, refreshment service, lab runners, chemo clinic assistant and CCMB ambassador. Volunteer positions operate weekdays, Monday to Friday. The shift times are 8:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 12:00-3:30 p.m. Volunteers must attend one 3.5-hour shift per week. Apply online: http://wfp.to/ixX. Deadline is Oct. 31.
- The Canadian Red Cross needs volunteers. The Red Cross can show you how to help when disaster strikes. Apply at wfp.to/0pE, volunteer@redcross.ca or 1-844-818-2155.
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