Winnipeggers will soon have the opportunity to brave the cold for a good cause. For the last several years, 1JustCity has been a part of Beat the Cold, a winter triathlon in Winnipeg.
“1JustCity is an organization that supports three drop-in centres in Winnipeg’s core neighbourhoods. West Broadway, the West End, and Osborne Village. Services include daily meals, art programs, senior programs, sharing circles and everything from haircuts to showers to laundry. Also, cultural programs for Indigenous people,” Nancy Ryan-Arbez,1JustCity board member on the committee for Beat The Cold said.
Each winter, the services expand to give those experiencing homelessness a place to sleep. “From November to March, we also provide a warming shelter sleepover program called Just a Warm Sleep,” she said.
“Just a Warm sleep is barrier free. People with shopping carts, people with pets, any age or cultural background, they are all welcome. I’ve seen the lineups to get into that shelter as it’s about to open and everyone has a smile on their face because they know they’re coming to a welcome environment. If you can make someone feel safe and show them they’re wanted and loved, that is the best feeling ever.”
On Saturday February 1, Winnipeggers are going to be able to help raise funds for 1JustCity through Beat the Cold. The race kicks off at 9 a.m.
“In 2019, the Trifactor Triathalon Club reached out to 1JustCity and pitched the idea of a winter triathlon where it’s run, bike, and skate usually on the Red and Assiniboine Rivers,” Ryan-Arbez said.
Not only is the event a great time to get outside and cheer others on in the winter months, but Ryan-Arbez also hopes it serves as an important reminder. “It can be cold in Winnipeg. I’m running and I’m okay because I’m going to jump into a warm car after, but not everyone has that ability.”
The Beat the Cold group decided to make the triathlon into a fundraiser. “Participants can fundraise on the Beat the Cold website. If you don’t know anyone who is in the event, you can go in and donate.”
Ryan-Arbez said this year, donations are lower than normal. “This year for whatever reason, we’re finding that donations are a little bit slow. Beat The Cold is one of the simple ways for people to donate to have a meaningful effect. Donations go towards 1JustCity providing meals, activities, and coffee because those are not part of funding right now.”
Over 30 people are able to use the facilities and resources every night. In 2023, Ryan-Arbez said 1JustCity supported over 4,500 people sleeping overnight.
She said coming to the event at The Forks is a great way to support 1JustCity. “It’s time for Winnipeggers to come and support it.”
Besides monetary donations, she said food donations are always welcome as well as volunteering. “I myself volunteer at West Broadway and maybe you can’t give food or money, but if you can give a couple of hours a day and help serve the guests, you would get a really strong flavour for the community within the area and their needs.”
“They’re people first, they’re always people first. They have the same need as you and I, but maybe they just don’t have the same agency to do that,” she said.
More information on Beat the Cold can be found here. Registration closes January 29 and is $70 for solo, or $150 for relay.