Mission/History/Principles

Rossbrook House is a safe place for children and youth living in the inner-city of Winnipeg, to belong, play, learn and become…

The late Sister Geraldine MacNamara (1938-84) articulated Rossbrook’s guiding principle that “no child who does not want to be alone, should ever have to be while receiving the Order of Canada (1983) for her work founding Rossbrook House (1976).

Sr Mac would have been the first to say that Rossbrook House was never her dream but rather the dream and creation of the young people she met on the streets near her home in the inner-city of Winnipeg in the early 1970′s.

The operational philosophy then and now is based upon two fundamental principles: self-help and self-referral. Rossbrook staff are drawn from the community of regular attenders, allowing for realistic understanding of the needs and aspirations of the participants. The hopes, dreams, and ideas of the youth are what determine the programs and direction of the centre.

 

We acknowledge that we are on Treaty 1 territory, traditional territory of the Anishinaabeg, Cree, Oji-Cree, Dakota, and Dene peoples, and on the homeland of the Red River Metis. We acknowledge that our water is sourced from Shoal Lake 40 First Nation. We respect the Treaties made on these territories and dedicate ourselves to move forward with Indigenous communities in a spirit of truth, reconciliation, and collaboration to make our city an inclusive and accessible place for all.