Urban Exchange

Urban Exchange participant profile: Brian MacKinnon

Brian MacKinnon had a lot to say when he filled out the Urban Exchange survey on poverty this past spring. A retired high school teacher who spent 25 years working at R.B. Russell School on Dufferin Avenue, he’s learned about poverty from hundreds of students over the years.

“It was a huge privilege to teach the kids I taught. For them, life is more complicated. They taught me about the impact of addictions – the impact of boredom. My response was to help them bring themselves up, to celebrate their talents and abilities.”

As an English teacher, MacKinnon helped students compile three anthologies of their own writing. In the last several years, though, his focus has been on helping young people realize their potential through recreation. An avid fitness enthusiast, he started the R.B. Russell Downtown Y program and began providing free YMCA-YWCA memberships to as many students as he could.

One student in particular got the ball rolling. Her weight had increased significantly and her health was becoming a concern for her. She confided in MacKinnon that she wanted to go to the Y but couldn’t afford the cost of even a subsidized membership.

MacKinnon made it his personal mission to help that student with her Y membership. He also recognized an opportunity to help other students, knowing the positive impact that after-school activities, especially recreational activities, can have.

MacKinnon’s Downtown Y program provided free membership to more than 300 youth in its first year. Generous support from the Winnipeg Foundation, Winnipeg Free Press readers and local businesses helped him keep the program going. Since 2002, the initiative has provided free memberships to thousands of Winnipeg youth.

MacKinnon feels strongly about the causes and effects of poverty. He also believes that he can do something to make a difference. Urban Exchange appreciates his willingness to share his views on poverty – and his encouragement that we share his views with others.

For more information, here’s a link to a 2005 Winnipeg Free Press story about Brian MacKinnon and the Downtown Y program.

IUS Lecture Series / SpeakUp Winnipeg event: Can we build a resilient Winnipeg worth celebrating?

The Institute of Urban Studies and SpeakUp Winnipeg are presenting a special screening of “Souvenirs”, three remarkable short films about Winnipeg made from rare and mostly forgotten archival footage.

Souvenirs takes viewers on a fascinating journey to the past to see Winnipeg built from “Sand and Stone”, survive the 1950 flood in “Watermarks”, and celebrate its 75th anniversary in “Waiting for the Parade.”

Hear the story behind the films from filmmaker Paula Kelly and City of Winnipeg Archivist Jody Baltessen.

The screening will be followed by a panel discussion on the past, present and future of the City of Winnipeg as our city prepares for the 21st Century with the SpeakUp Winnipeg process and the Our Winnipeg plan.

Thursday July 23rd, 2009
7:00 pm
Eckhardt Gramatte Hall
3rd floor, Centennial Hall,
University of Winnipeg

Admission is free and refreshments will be served.

For more information, contact Michael Dudley at 982-1145 or m.dudley@uwinnipeg.ca

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