Nearly 160 people came together for the Faces of Gateway Gala Thursday night at the Emmanuel Mennonite Church in Winkler. The annual fundraiser for Gateway Resources had the theme "Glimpses of Gateway", and featured clients and staff sharing their stories on stage in front of the crowd.
"I am so glad everyone that's here gets to hear these stories," explained C.E.O. Kim Nelson. "It is the reason why I keep coming to work every day, because I get to see these stories. They truly impact me, and truly make me want to keep Gateway growing and succeeding."
About thirty additional people attended this year’s fundraiser compared to last year.
"It just means people are learning more about Gateway," shared Nelson. "The full intent of this night, of course, it's to fundraise, but really I want everyone to know what Gateway does, and the passion it brings to all of the staff, and so they can get glimpses into my world."
Gateway Resources continues to grow as the communities it serves do, those being Winkler, Morden and R.M. of Stanley. The agency currently supports 190 individuals with intellectual disabilities across all its programs and services.
During her opening remarks, Nelson provided updates on two major projects, both expected to open in the next couple months. The first is a new build at the corner of Peters Avenue and Main Street South in Winkler.
"That project has been my dream for a number of years, and I am so happy to see it come to reality," noted Nelson. "This is two of Gateway's programs under one roof. The main level will be for our seniors program, and the second level is for our Supported Independent Living program. We're waiting for some appliances, but we do hope to be opening those doors also within the next couple months."
There will be seven self-contained suites on the second floor.
"The Supported Independent Living program supports adults to live fairly independently," she explained. "They have staff to come in, and help them with tasks that might be a little bit challenging. But, for the most part, they are very independent. This program has been growing over the years, and there's been such a need for this resource, so Gateway was able to fund this program, so we could have the available resources that are needed."
Also, nearing completion are two new accessible homes in Winkler's North Point development which will be home to six individuals moving from Portage la Prairie as part of the Manitoba Developmental Centre's winding down of operations.
Gateway participants Jesse Hildebrand and Joanne Irwin help illusionist and magician Brian Glow with a trick Thursday night"I want to thank the community for their ongoing support," shared Nelson. "I also want to say, if you've never come to one of these events, please come to this event, or for our Christmas concert. Truly Gateway impacts your life somehow, whether it's doing sorting or recycling, whether it's the people working in our community, you are connected to Gateway, so come come hear our stories and celebrate our success."
The final numbers are still coming in, but's expected around $10,000 was raised for Gateway Resources through the Gala.
You can listen to CFAM Radio 950 Morning Show Host Chris Sumner's conversation with Kim Nelson, below.
Sun, May 19, 1:00 PM
Full-time, Permanent, Education, Labour
Featured
