Overnight safe space for West End youth inspires Lin Howes Barr

Running an overnight drop-in centre for youth in Winnipeg's West End sounds like no small feat, but it's a passion for Lindsay (Lin) Howes Barr, who sees young people benefitting from it every day.

Howes Barr manages the Spence Neighbourhood Association's West End 24-Hour Safe Space for Youth — or "WE 2-4," as it's known among those who go there — which has been offering a safe alternative to the streets since it opened in June 2016 at the Magnus Eliason Recreation Centre.

In addition to providing a safe, quiet and inclusive space between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m., on weekend and school holiday nights, it offers food, a place to play sports and board games for a few hours, and staff who offer them assistance if they need it. Staff and volunteers also patrol the streets late at night for young people who may need help.

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"I feel really lucky to be a part of work where I get to see the benefit of what we're doing every day," said Howes Barr, who has been involved with the safe space project from its planning stages.

"I get to really meet these really great kids and help them and figure things out and, you know, get young adults into their first apartment or all these things that just bring so much joy to people. And I get inspired by all the amazing work of the staff and all the amazing work of everyone that was involved in the project, and I feel really lucky to be a part of it."

Howes Barr is among those nominated for CBC Manitoba's #IamMB project, which is sharing the stories of people who have shaped our province's past, lead us in the present or will create our future. You can make your own nominations here right now.

The 31-year-old was described by those who nominated her as someone who does not take the spotlight, but does "all the background supporting work" in a number of community projects, including the safe space, the group 13 Fires and Red Rising Magazine.

Howes Barr said WE24 has had more than 1,500 visits and 200 active users since it opened. Most of its clients are between the ages of 19 and 22, but it's open to people age 11-26 and they sometimes help those outside that range if need be.

No shortage of youth

"It's been very busy. There's clearly no shortage of youth. There's a definite need for it to be available and open," she said. "We have opened every single night that we've set to open; we've never had to close for any reason."

While its hours have been limited to weekends and holidays during the school year, the drop-in space is expected to get much busier this summer, she added.

It needs more volunteers in time for the summer. It also welcomes financial donations as well as essential goods such as personal hygiene products and gift cards from gas stations and grocery stores.

As for the future, Howes Barr said she hopes some of the youth who frequent WE 24 now will become its staff and mentors in future. 

When asked how it feels to be nominated as part of the #IAmMB project, Howes Barr spoke of the many people she works with in Winnipeg, including her colleagues at the Spence Neighbourhood Association and people she's worked with on other projects.

"It gives me purpose, it's part of who I am," she said of her community involvement. "It's part of what I want to see for our city and province."