Making Headway: This week's KPMG taste of Summer Charity BBQ recipient

A local organization providing accessible care will be the next highlighted charity at this week’s KPMG Taste of Summer Charity BBQ. 

Headway, a community mobilization non-profit, coordinates wraparound support for high-risk youth and their families in the Steinbach area. 

Building a team 

Heidi Harder Falk, program coordinator at Headway, says finding social service support can be overwhelming and confusing.  

“There’s so many different people and agencies involved. And so, providing a space where everyone can come together, share something once, instead of a million different times... to hopefully be working together as effectively and efficiently as possible,” she says. 

By hosting monthly team meetings with clients and their support systems, Headway simplifies the process and ensures accessible, coordinated care. 

Harder Falk explains Headway’s internal network of partners, RCMP, probation services, child and family services, Hanover School Division, Shared Health and Southern Health, make a huge impact.  

“We’re blessed to work with lots of great clients, caregivers and organizations.” 

A program for everyone 

Headway offers three core programs: 

Headway

Ages 12 — 18, the youth program works with vulnerable or at-risk youth struggling in multiple areas (justice system, CFS, education) or involved with multiple agencies. 

By utilizing community support, the START program helps youth and their families access essential care. 

Re-START for Adults 

The program assists anyone over 18 who is involved with the justice system or at risk of involvement. 

The goal of Re-START, is to reduce involvement in the justice system by providing a safe space and creating meaningful, attainable goals. 

START Families  

START Families is for adult perpetrators of domestic violence looking to create safe outcomes for their families. 

Each program is tailored, but all emphasize the same goal: helping individuals stabilize, heal, and build futures. 

“A big part of it is (that) somebody that believes in you... the core value of Headway is creating relationships,” Harder Falk says. 

She explains that building healthy connections and a strong support network is vital to creating positive change.  

“Relationships are very central… It’s amazing to go from having a client who has no supports and nobody in their life, to somebody who is surrounded by a table of supports.”  

A community effort 

Harder says there are many challenges that may bring people to Headway. 

“They could be struggling in a number of different areas... That could include involvement with the justice system, or with the RCMP, mental health struggles, academic issues, substance use concerns... It’s a very wide range,” she says. 

Harder Falk explains the donations from the KPMG Taste of Summer Charity BBQ will be put toward their youth and adult programs. 

“The funds raised will provide supports to clients that might not have access to otherwise.” 

She explains certain services, like therapy, can be quite expensive or inaccessible due to waitlist times.  

With a focus on collaboration, connection, and community, Headway continues to fill critical gaps in support. The organization stands as a reminder that when people come together, real change is possible. 

 

The Taste of Summer Charity BBQ is held every Wednesday in front of Steinbach Credit Union from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., supporting a new charity each week.    

Written with files from Carly Koop 

@steinbach_online Meet Heidi from Headway! They are the next recipient for the #KPMG #TasteofSummerCharityBBQ ♬ original sound - SteinbachOnline