Jerry Storie’s retirement has taken him from the ivory tower to the construction site.
Formerly the dean of the faculty of education at Brandon University, Storie is now a volunteer leader in Winnipeg with Habitat for Humanity Manitoba.
“I’ve always believed, fundamentally, that a place to call home is important,” he says of what compelled him to join Habitat Manitoba. “It creates stability for families — it creates safety for kids to grow and develop. I think having a stable home is foundational and important not only for the families themselves, but communities.”
The 74-year-old Osborne Village resident’s life experiences have given him unique insights into the importance of community.
Prior to joining Brandon University, Storie was a teacher, guidance counsellor and, from 1981 to 1995, he was the NDP MLA for Flin Flon. He served as a cabinet minister in former premier Howard Pawley’s government from 1982 to 1988.
Growing up on a small mixed farm near Baldur in southwestern Manitoba gave him the opportunity to use tools and fix things.
“There’s always something going on, a problem to be solved, when you’re farming,” he says.
He’s long considered himself a handyman as a result, completing numerous home-renovation projects throughout the years.
That makes him a good fit at Habitat Manitoba, where he’s volunteered since 2017 — the same year, he notes, that former U.S. president and longtime Habitat supporter Jimmy Carter visited Winnipeg to build homes.
A global non-profit, Habitat brings together communities to build long-term, affordable housing for under-resourced families.
Volunteer leaders play an important and unique role. They agree to work on the organization’s build sites regularly over the course of the May-through-October construction season.
These dedicated individuals are often recent retirees who donate time to help build homes. They are frequently put in charge of general volunteers, thus the “volunteer leader” designation.
Volunteer opportunities
The following is a list of volunteer opportunities for Winnipeg and surrounding areas. For more information about these listings, contact the organization directly. Volunteer Manitoba does not place volunteers with organizations but can help people find opportunities. To learn more about its programs and services, go to www.volunteermanitoba.ca or call 204-477-5180.
Ted’s Run for Literacy needs volunteers to help direct runners and traffic along the racecourse in and around Kildonan Park and call for medical assistance if needed. Marshals are also needed to ride the course on their bike. Volunteers must be at least 12 years old and willing to commit to a daytime weekend event on Sept. 29. The time commitment is 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Volunteers can leave after the last participant has passed their post. Volunteers are encouraged to join the festivities at the finish line after the run. Detailed information about roles and responsibilities will be provided, requiring around 20 minutes of review at home. Small groups of family and friends, or larger groups such as corporate teams and schools, are also welcome. Email leah.tedsrunforliteracy@gmail.com by Sept. 15.
The Immigrant & Refugee Community Organization of Manitoba (IRCOM) needs volunteers for Homework and Education for Youth (HEY), part of its after-school programs. HEY runs from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Monday to Thursday and 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Friday. Tutors help with homework and enforce program guidelines. Skills needed include patience, tutoring ability and sensitivity to cultural differences. A high school diploma is required, and volunteers must complete required training and background checks. They must commit to at least three months, but people who can commit to volunteering until the end of the school year are preferred. Apply online at http://wfp.to/NNJ by Dec. 10.
Oyate Tipi Cumini Yape needs board members to join its governance-based board of directors. The board follows a consensus-based decision-making model to support governance and uphold the organization’s values and mission. Volunteers should have previous board experience, a working knowledge of non-profit organizations and be able to commit to monthly two-hour meetings in the evenings. While Indigenous community members are preferred, other adults with a passion for community involvement are encouraged to apply. Go online to http://wfp.to/oyatetipi or email volunteer@oyatetipi.com by Dec. 31.
Misericordia Health Centre needs volunteer interviewers to collect survey responses from patients receiving care. Full orientation and training will be provided. The openings are Mondays, Wednesdays or Fridays, ideally 10 a.m. to noon or 12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Call 204-788-8134 or email volunteer@misericordia.mb.ca for more information. Apply online at http://wfp.to/Cm0 by Aug. 31.
Melanoma Canada needs peer support volunteers. If you’ve been diagnosed with melanoma or skin cancer or have been a caregiver, you can offer hope and support. Extensive training and ongoing support is provided. Must be able to handle difficult conversations, have empathy and active listening skills, and be able to navigate the health-care system. This is a remote volunteering role, with flexible hours. Apply at mzawadzki@melanomacanada.ca or http://wfp.to/y5e by Sept. 2.
Shelter Movers — a national charity providing free moving and storage services to people and families fleeing abuse — needs co-ordinators to support its expansion into Winnipeg. As the first point of contact for new volunteer applicants, the co-ordinators will communicate with applicants, conduct screening interviews and support them during the on-boarding process to ensure a positive experience. This is a remote position for adults, with an ongoing commitment of about four hours per week. Email volunteer.winnipeg@sheltermovers.com by Sept. 15.
Immigrant Centre Manitoba needs a class facilitator to help permanent residents prepare for the citizenship test. The role involves leading six two-hour classes focused on the Discover Canada guide. The volunteer should be a fluent English speaker with experience in conducting classes or workshops via Zoom, proficient in Microsoft PowerPoint, and knowledgeable in Canadian history and geography. The facilitator must have strong communication skills, the ability to engage with people from diverse backgrounds, and be comfortable working with adult learners at varying English proficiency levels. The classes are offered through Zoom and in person at the centre. Apply at http://wfp.to/6J6 by Sept. 30.
1JustCity needs drop-in volunteers at the Pimicikamak Wellness Centre site to help with its community programs, including lunch and dinner services. Volunteers take on tasks such as serving coffee and snacks, tidying up the space and ensuring a warm and inclusive environment for all visitors. No special skills are required, and volunteers can choose from daytime or evening shifts at any of the three drop-in locations. Apply at http://wfp.to/CLt by Dec. 22.
Storie’s experience on numerous Habitat Manitoba builds allows him to guide and support volunteers to ensure they have a safe, enjoyable experience.
One of the things he most appreciates is getting to know the home buyers who, as part of their willingness to partner with Habitat Manitoba, invest hundreds of hours of their own labour working alongside volunteers.
“It’s always fun to listen to them talk about their expectations (and) hear about how they ended up being selected for a Habitat home,” Storie says. “Many of them are recent immigrants to Canada or people who have struggled in other ways in their lives.
“It’s fulfilling to see them come into owning a permanent, stable, wonderful home for their family.”
Volunteering has long been a way of life for Storie, who has given his time to the International Peace Garden south of Brandon and the Central Speech and Hearing Clinic in Winnipeg.
“I’m healthy (and) I’ve been privileged in my life,” he says. “I’ve been able to do different things and work with wonderful people all over the place, and while I’m still breathing it feels like I should be contributing in some way. There’s so much to do.”
Habitat Manitoba currently has about a dozen volunteer leaders, a number it would like to double.
The organization looks for folks with good communication and people skills who have a positive attitude and enjoy working with different volunteers.
The time commitment is up to the volunteer leader — it could be once or twice a week, or three or four times a month.
Anyone interested is encouraged to email Kelley Shuster, manager of volunteer services, at kshuster@habitat.mb.ca.
If you know a special volunteer, please contact aaron.epp@freepress.mb.ca.
Aaron Epp
Reporter
Aaron Epp reports on business for the Free Press. After freelancing for the paper for a decade, he joined the staff full-time in 2024. He was previously the associate editor at Canadian Mennonite. Read more about Aaron.
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