An illustration of a calendar on a yellow background outlined in a black paintbrush-style design with white accents. Text: CNIB Manitoba Programs – Summer 2024.

CNIB Manitoba – Summer Programs

Join us! Our free programs are available to people who are blind, Deafblind, or have low vision as well as their families, friends and caregivers. Below, you'll find a snapshot of programs offered across the province throughout the summer. Schedule may be subject to change. We kindly ask participants to register for programs at least one business day before the start date. 

For program offerings available nationwide, explore our online calendar.

Advocacy Programs

  1. Community Engagement Volunteers: Last Thursday of every month, 7:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. on Zoom or telephone. Community Engagement Volunteers provide public education, presenting topics to government officials, educators, students, employers, health professionals and more. Much of this program is also dedicated to building the advocacy and communication skills of our Community Engagement Volunteers. With this program, we see increased knowledge in advocacy and legislation and an increase in self-esteem and confidence among our volunteers. 
  2. Poetry in Bloom: Summer details TBD, on Zoom. We can use poetry in many ways to help express our emotions, share our experiences, and empower ourselves. Join CNIB for a four-week Poetry Series with facilitator Dianne Grant. applying poetry in different contexts, Ms. Grant will assist us to unearth and identify the realities of our lived experiences to help us feel a sense of renewal, express ourselves more fully, and create and help us experience a sense of awe. These sessions are designed to be informative, reflective, and exuberant. Previous writing experience or knowledge of writing poetry is not required. Sessions will be intimate in nature, therefore space for this program will be limited. To register, email vivi.dabee@cnib.ca or call 204-396-9487.

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Children & Youth Programs

To register for the Children & Youth Programs or for more information, please contact Jenna Farmer at jenna.farmer@cnib.ca or call 431-668-9270.

  1. Family Fun Days: Summer details TBC. Families coming together to have fun and socialize with other families that have children who are blind or partially sighted. The Family Fun Days are focused on just that: FUN! They can include things like bowling, rock climbing, crafts, games and more. 
  2. Youth Adventure Club: Second Thursday of every month, 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. at CNIB Winnipeg or other venues in Winnipeg. This program offers a fun, safe engaging place for blind or partially sighted youth ages 13-18 (Grades 8-12) to connect and find a sense of community with each other. Programming will be guided by the interest of the participants, and activities may consist of movie and game nights, karaoke battles, dining out at restaurants and monthly excursions to local attractions. At each event, focus will be placed on fostering self-esteem and enhancing socialization skills. 
  3. Young Adult Social Club: On summer hiatus – resumes in September. This program offers a fun, safe engaging place for blind or partially sighted young adults ages 18 to 29 to connect and find community. Programming will be guided by the interest of the participants, and activities may consist of movie nights, karaoke battles, dining out at restaurants and monthly excursions to local attractions. At each event, focus will be placed on fostering community and building connections. 
  4. Youth Leadership/Mentor: Launching September2024. This program is a chance for young adults to mentor some of the younger participants at CNIB. Younger participants will be paired with an older mentor and have the chance to learn from someone who has a similar life experience. 

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Culture, Sport & Recreation Programs

To register for Culture, Sport & Recreation programs or for more information, please contact Brett Cleghorn at brett.cleghorn@cnib.ca or call 204-290-3294.

  1. Book Club: Second Tuesday of every month, 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. hybrid program at CNIB Winnipeg or virtually via Zoom/ phone.. Whether you enjoy classics, bestsellers, biographies, or fiction, share your passion with other blind and partially sighted readers. A new book is chosen each month, and each participant will be registered for library services. 
  2. Brandon Yoga: Beginning September 2024, Thursdays; 7-week session, 5:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. In this program, individuals will learn the basics of stretching and yoga. These sessions can improve an individual’s core strength, flexibility, and balance while providing relation techniques and increased self-confidence. 
  3. Winnipeg Breakfast Club: First Tuesday of every month (unless notified), 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. at a predetermined restaurant in Winnipeg. Come out and enjoy the comradery of your peers while experiencing a variety of restaurants for brunch. A different restaurant in Winnipeg will be chosen each month. 
  4. Winnipeg Walking Group: Every Monday, 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m., meet at CNIB Winnipeg. The Walking Group Program provides a chance for individuals who are blind or partially sighted to exercise and practice their mobility and travel skills. 
  5. Summer Outing – Steinbach Mennonite Heritage Village: Thursday, July 18, 9:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m., meet at CNIB Winnipeg. Visit the 19th Century Mennonite Village. Experience the life of early Mennonite settlers and hear their story as they seek to live as peacemakers in this new world. The Mennonite Heritage Village features two galleries and a reconstructed lake. Enjoy traditional food at the restaurant in the village. We will have a 2-hour tour then lunch and free time to shop or relax. To register, contact Joanne Fabian at joanne.fabian@cnib.ca or call 204-230-1496.
  6. Summer Outing – Gimli Manitoba: Thursday, August 22, 9:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m., meet at CNIB Winnipeg. Do not miss the opportunity to experience a day trip to Gimli Manitoba. Take a walk on the boardwalk or feel the sand under your feet at the beach. Gimli has many shops and is known for its traditional pickerel dinners. $25.00 per person (payable in advance – cash only.) To register, contact Joanne Fabian at joanne.fabian@cnib.ca or call 204-230-1496.

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Peer Support Programs

To register for Peer Support programs or for more information, please contact Brett Cleghorn at brett.cleghorn@cnib.ca or call 204-290-3294.

  1. Bible Study Group: On summer hiatus – resumes in September. Every Thursday, 1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. on Zoom or telephone. Make new friends, or deepen existing friendships, find support from your peers, and develop more theological insight about biblical understanding. 
  2. Biblical Peer Support Group: Biweekly on Thursday (July 11 – August 22), 1:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. on Zoom or telephone.  A time for sharing, communion, prayer and praise. Make new friends, deepen existing friendships, find support from your peers. This program is a peer support group and is an extension of the Bible Study for summer. 
  3. Brandon Connects: Last Tuesday of every month, 1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m., at the United Way of Brandon (201-1011 Rosser Ave, Brandon). This peer group is for individuals in the Brandon area that would like to come together to learn from others who have sight loss. This program allows for individuals to support one another in a safe social environment.
  4. Friday Morning Coffee Group: On summer hiatus – resumes in September. Every Friday, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. at CNIB Winnipeg. Rekindle old friendships while making new ones, meet new people and have enjoyable conversations. This group offers a safe, positive social network for those that are blind or partially sighted. 
  5. Portage Connects: Thursday, July 25, August 22, 1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m., at the Heman Prior Activity Centre (40 Royal Rd N. Portage la Prairie). Connect with others who are living with sight loss and in your community, this program is for people who want to engage and support others in a safe, friendly environment. To register, contact Ainslee Lockhart at ainslee.lockhart@cnib.ca or call 431-323- 9725
  6. Saskatchewan and Manitoba Indigenous Peer Support Group: First and Third Wednesday of every month, 1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. on Zoom or telephone. This program is designed for blind or partially blind indigenous individuals who are wanting to connect with others who are experiencing similar circumstances in a safe and comfortable setting. This program will also provide an opportunity for participants to learn from various guest speakers. 
  7. Thompson Connects: First Tuesday of every month, 1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. on Zoom or telephone. Connect with others who are living with sight loss and in your community, this program is for people who want to engage and support others in a safe, friendly environment.
  8. Virtual Coffee Group: Every Friday, 1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. on Zoom or telephone. Make new connections and find friendships and enjoyable conversation. The focus is on a positive, inclusive, and safe support network for people who have experienced sight loss. Everyone is welcome. 

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CNIB SmartLife & Technology Programs

  1. CNIB SmartLife: Home to a myriad of accessible technologies and devices, CNIB SmartLife is an interactive retail and lifestyle experience like no other. CNIB SmartLife is committed to emboldening people with sight loss to lead independent, active lives and helping them gain access to life-changing technology. CNIB SmartLife is Canada’s largest retailer of assistive products for people with sight loss, serving over 20,000+ people a year. CNIB SmartLife offers services both online and in physical spaces, as well as a variety of accessible technology programs. All proceeds from CNIB SmartLife go to supporting CNIB’s life-changing programs for people with sight loss across Canada.
  2. The CNIB SmartLife Tech @ Home program allows participants to test cutting-edge accessible devices from the comfort of their own homes and beyond. Through this program, Canadians with sight loss gain access to life-changing technology– no matter where they live.
  3. Phone it Forward: This program is designed to equip clients with technology to increase independence. Phones are set up by CNIB Program Leads and training is provided by Vision Loss Rehabilitation (VLR) Specialists. We provide iPhone and a variety of Android phones. Phones have the following accessible apps: Be My Eyes, Seeing AI, BlindSquare Events. CNIB wants to ensure that anyone who is blind or partially sighted can benefit from safety, independence, and enablement that a smartphone, along with the proper training, can provide. If you have sight loss, live in Canada, and are registered with CNIB, you are eligible for a free smartphone through Phone It Forward. When you register for Phone It Forward, a CNIB team lead in your province will receive your name and contact information. They will contact you in the months ahead to keep you posted on the program’s development and to let you know when a phone is available for you. If you are interested in learning more about the Phone It Forward Program, or to register, contact Kayla DeBaets at kayla.debaets@cnib.ca or call 204-789-0962. Donated smartphones are wiped to the highest data security standards, loaded with accessible apps, and provided to people with sight loss who need them, along with technical training, discounted maintenance, and data plan support.To donate your phone, or learn more about Phone it Forward, visit www.phoneitforward.ca or call 1-833-554-5020.

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Vision Mate

The Vision Mate program matches people who are blind or partially sighted with sighted volunteers who provide companionship and one-on-one assistance with everyday tasks and errands. Activities you and your match do together are based on your needs and interests! Vision Mate volunteers can assist individuals with various activities, including errands, going for walks, labelling, and organizing household items, reading, or fun outings and recreational activities. Matches are made with someone who lives close to your home, school, or work. Visits are typically one or two hours a week in the person’s home or another suitable place at a mutually convenient time. This program is also available virtually – with matches connecting by phone or online. To register or for more information, contact Ben Neufeld at ben.neufeld@cnib.ca or call 204-509-9658.

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CNIB Mobile Hub

CNIB on the Road – the CNIB Mobile Hub is coming to a community near you.  Drop in to meet CNIB staff and learn more about free programs and resources for people who are blind, Deafblind, or have low vision. Enjoy a day of recreational and social activities, technology workshops, and much more. Experience the latest breakthroughs in assistive tech from CNIB SmartLife and connect with other members of the sight loss community. We’d love for you to join us when we visit your community! For confirmed locations and dates, please visit www.cnib.ca/mobilehub,

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Volunteer Opportunities

If you are interested in volunteering with CNIB, please apply online or email manitoba@cnib.ca. 

  1. Customer Service Representative: Provide customer service support to ensure all visitors to the building have the information they require. As the Customer Service Representative, you will welcome and greet visitors to the building; sanitize reception area regularly; direct all in-person inquiries and deliveries to the appropriate person, department, or tenant; prepare outgoing mail and book local couriers on behalf of staff; provide visitors with information as required, if no other staff person is available; and, receive and track attendee responses for events as required.  
  2. Driver Guide: Provide community-based support; drive clients, service staff and/or volunteers who are blind or partially sighted and are travelling on CNIB business.
  3. Friday Morning Coffee Group Support: The Friday Morning Coffee Group is a social peer support group that meets at CNIB on Fridays between 10:00 am and 12:00 pm. Your role will be providing sighted guide and other assistance to participants, and support with set up and clean up.
  4. Vision Mate Volunteers: Vision Mates provides community-based support through one-on-one sighted assistance and companionship to a person who is blind or partially sighted. As a Vision Mate, you will be matched with someone with vision loss in your community to help them with everyday activities, like running errands, going for a walk and friendly visiting. This program is also available virtually, where you would meet with your match via telephone or online web conferencing. 
  5. Walking Group Sighted Guide: Meeting at Polo Park Mall in the winter months, or CNIB in the summer months, the sighted guide attends our weekly Walking Group on Mondays to provide sighted assistance for participants with sight loss. Sighted Guide training is provided. Can’t commit to every week? We still want to hear from you! There is flexibility and we would be happy to have you volunteer on the Mondays that suit your availability. 

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Support CNIB

If you would like to donate to support CNIB’s innovative programs and powerful advocacy that empowers people impacted by blindness to live their dreams and tear down barriers to inclusion. Please visit cnib.ca/donate and give today!

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Community Corner

Photograph Portrait Project

Daniel Gerson is a visually impaired award-winning filmmaker and photographer looking for visually impaired individuals interested in participating in a photography-based portrait project. The portraits are meant to show our community in a vibrant, active, and positive light.  Daniel would like to capture photographs of passions or interests, whether it is activities like sports, art, or individuals simply posing with pets or objects that have meaning to them.  The photographs will be used to help acquire funding for a larger Canada wide project with an end goal of having various art gallery showings of the portraits. Please feel free to email Daniel at danielgersonwpg@gmail.com for more information.

Winnipeg Blue Bomber Tickets

Friday, August 23, 7:30 p.m. Please reach out to Brett Cleghorn at brett.cleghorn@cnib.ca or call 204-290-3294 if you're interested.

Community Organizations – Partners & Resources
  1. Manitoba Blind Sports Association
  2. Resource Centre for Manitobans who are Deaf-Blind (RCMDB)
  3. Vision Impaired Resource Network (VIRN)

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