Urban Exchange

Urban Reflections

In February 2008, United Way of Winnipeg released its first Urban Exchange report. “Urban
Reflections: Winnipeggers have their say about our city and its direction”. The report includes the thoughts and opinions of nearly 3 000 people who participated in Urban Exchange up until that point.

Together the panelists paint a clear picture of our city; its strengths and its challenges.
The initial findings in Urban Reflections show that 90% of panelists view Winnipeg as a caring
community and that the single best thing about our city is its people. Panelists were also asked
about their top three social concerns.

Click here to download a copy of Urban Reflections.

United, Marina is Helping Shape Winnipeg’s Future

In Brief

Over time, we’ll use this section to highlight selected findings from Urban Exchange surveys. For now, please download our first report on social issues – Urban Reflections.

Complete a Survey

In previous Urban Exchange surveys, respondents identified poverty as one of their top priorities. In our current survey, we’re exploring poverty – our perceptions, attitudes and expectations – in order to gain a better understanding of this complex issue and some of the ways we might come together as a community to address it.

We’d love to hear what you think. To share your opinions, please click here to get started.

Desktop Wallpaper

This is an image representing what 4000 people said they liked best about Winnipeg when they responded to our first survey.  The larger the word is, the more times people used it in their written comments.

Click on any of the sizes below to download the image and use is as the wallpaper on your computer desktop!

1024×768 1280×1024 1680×1050

(We created this image using a tool called Wordle. It’s fun and free to use – you can try it out yourself at Wordle.net)

Urban Exchange Inspires a Neighbourly Pursuit

Duo sets out to add a thousand new voices to dialogue one doorstep at a time.

Residents of Gilbert Park are having their say this summer thanks to a couple of dedicated residents who saw an opportunity to engage their neighbours.

Tucked away in the northwest corner of Winnipeg, the public housing complex is one of the largest in the city, with almost 1,000 residents. About half of the people who live there are Aboriginal and almost three-quarters are low-income families.

Barb Sinclair teamed up with another resident, Ellen Cook, and after receiving some training last month, the duo have been knocking on doors, handing out Urban Exchange surveys to fellow residents.

Urban Exchange is a United Way advisory panel. It’s a way for Winnipeggers to share their opinions with United Way on issues that matter most to them.

“It was fun,” says Barb. The mother of six has lived in Gilbert Park for seven years and says it was a great chance to talk to old friends and make some new ones. “It gave me a chance to meet some of the new people in the neighbourhood.”

Corey Mohr works in the area as a community facilitator with Nor’West Co-op Community Health Centre and says it’s a good way for the views of Gilbert Park residents to be heard.

The area was introduced to Urban Exchange during the Gilbert Park GenNext Day of Caring on May 24.

Thanks Barb and Ellen! Your initiative and dedication is helping to ensure our city is a place where everybody has a chance to participate.

Have Your Say With United Way

By Laurie Mustard

Winnipeg Sun, Thursday February 28, 2008
Reproduced with permission.

What do you like most, and least, about living in Winnipeg?

A year and a half ago, United Way launched a new initiative, Urban Exchange, an advisory panel through which Winnipeggers and United Way talk regularly with each other to find solutions to problems that concern us most.

The advisory panel includes anyone who wants to visit MyCityMySay.ca or call the director of Urban Exchange at 477-5360 and answer some questions.

Almost 3,000 people contributed to the report released yesterday, which summarizes their responses to the first questionnaire, entitled “Exchange One: Getting Connected.”

The best things about living in Winnipeg?

“In an open-ended question, panellists mentioned ‘the people’ most often, followed by the fact Winnipeg is a small city with big city advantages.”

No surprise there.

Things they’d most like to change? Crime was highlighted more often than any other concern, with “infrastructure, Winnipeg’s downtown and poverty coming next on the list.”

Now if you’re sitting there saying, “Sure wish I could have added my voice to this report,” there’s good news: it’s not too late.

“Exchange One: Getting Connected” is still open, with new panellists (like you) seeing their responses in an updated report. So have at it via the info mentioned above.

Just what are they going to do with my opinions, you ask? Here’s the answer:

The thoughts and opinions participants share with United Way help inform community investment decisions and areas of focus. The summarized responses will be shared with leaders and decision-makers in Winnipeg who are interested in learning more about what people are concerned about; what they’re excited about; and where they feel our city is headed.”

Opportunity knocks, kids. Your call.

Have Your Say

Results