As The Community Exchange (TCE) forges ahead into its second full year of operation in Altona, Executive Director Paul Peters believes the organization is doing well in its goal of creating a place that holds space for difference.
Peters joined the team halfway through the year but says in that short time, it's clear that buy-in from both community members coming in to access TCE's services and those looking to volunteer with the organization has continually increased.
"The need for spaces like what we have to offer here at TCE, that sets the table for face-to-face connection, healthy dialogue and for relationships to be formed," said Peters following the organization's recent annual general meeting. "A lot of what comes out of that is in the hands of the people that show up."
At the end of 2024, TCE was home to 53 volunteers.
Donor support also grew over the past year. At year-end, there were 28 businesses supporting the organization, double that of 2023. As well, there was a 30 per cent increase in individual donors.
"As an organization and as team, do I feel like we're moving in the direction of continuing to create a safe space, one where people are accessing needs that they might not have been able to access prior to? Definitely," said Peters.
This work is happening through TCE's three core pillars.
Gathering Around Food
Through this pillar, TCE is attempting to address food insecurity experienced in the community and surrounding area. In 2024, the organization partnered with numerous local grocers, growers and suppliers to rescue over $180,000 worth of food that would have otherwise been thrown out and, instead, offered it to people who may have not been able to afford it. According to the annual report, some days saw over 30 family units take advantage of the free program through the Community Market.
Additional food security programs included the Veggie Stand and the Manitoba Food Currency Program.
Eating together is another priority under this pillar, and where safe spaces and relationships are further built.
For example, 1,700+ meals were served last year through TCE's free Thursday lunch, with an average of 40 meals served each week.
"We're doing that in ways that, at times, make all of us uncomfortable but that, I think, is actually where some of the beauty happens," said Peters. "I think we've worked really hard to do so and, hopefully, breaking down some of the divisive language we sometimes hear. Again, when you come here on a Thursday and you share a meal with someone else no matter where they are, what their walk is, starting point or belief, it's amazing how barriers are broken down by just eating a meal together. That's happening on a weekly basis now."
Including the monthly community meal, which saw 1,435 meals served in 2024, TCE is now offering five free meal opportunities a month.
Learning From & With Each Other.
Through this pillar, Peters says he has been struck by peoples' willingness to do just that. One example is the Language Cafes held at TCE, all starting with English Cafe hosted by Regional Connections.
"I think peoples' experience of that inspired a member of our community to say, 'what about a Spanish Cafe?', and now we have a Spanish Cafe. Then, over the course of the Fall, someone comes forward and says, 'I'd like to do a French Cafe' and now we have a French Cafe," explained Peters. "All we are doing at TCE is providing the space for this to happen. In the end, the Cafes are being hosted and led by people in the community who are just simply passionate about it."
Peters believes one of the major players in creating a healthy community and individual, is people feeling like they have purpose.
"A lot of us sometimes don't even know what our purpose might be or don't even know that experience of, 'I am inspired to do, because I am passionate'. For many, they don't even believe they have something to offer in that way. And so, when there's a space that says, 'we're going to listen and, this is something that somebody is passionate about', let's engage that conversation and maybe we can find a way to make that happen."
At the annual meeting, Peters noted, TCE's popular concert series, documentary nights and collaboration with Steps Toward Reconciliation are just a few more ways the organization is helping to facilitate learning opportunities.
Community Hub
The core of this pillar, noted Peters, is their Drop-In program that saw 350-425 people a month swing by for coffee, connection and to access programming.
Additionally, over 500 items were picked up through Share the Warmth, and 6,400+ items through the Community Shop.
TCE is also hope to the commuNITY Support Team, through the Border Land School Division and supported by Manitoba Justice.
"They had twenty active teams last year and ninety per cent of the folks involved or a part of those support teams ended up being actively involved in what happens here at TCE," said Peters, noting that could mean becoming a regular volunteer or helping to lead. "That's a huge number and I think that just shows how critical that relationship is, and important - that both are valuable. That creates the space for the beginning of support, that team, but hopefully by coming through our doors to be a part of those meetings, they start to meet more people in the community and their support team grows and at the end, they now have this community that they're a part of."
In preparation for his speech at the annual meeting, Peters said he couldn't help but think about the power of belonging and what that does for our spirit and our sense of safety within a community. Hear what he had to say in the clip below.