Community Homeless Assistance Team (CHAT) makes positive impact in downtown Winnipeg


Downtown Buzz T


News from the Downtown Winnipeg Business Improvement Zone


he Downtown Winnipeg BIZ aims to provide a vibrant, healthy downtown, which places its highest priority


on quality of life for everyone. Among its many programs and services, the BIZ runs preventative outreach programs, such as CHAT.


What is CHAT? The Community Homeless Assistance


Team (CHAT) is dedicated to performing comprehensive outreach to individuals at-risk of, or experiencing homelessness in downtown Winnipeg. As the only ser- vice that has a regular presence on the downtown streets, CHAT Outreach work- ers develop trusting relationships with our homeless community through front line intervention. Te Team is unique in their approach in that their relationships are built on the streets – at places where individuals are most comfortable and feel a sense of familiarity. The CHAT Team plays a vital role in


connecting the homeless community with social agencies that: • Connect to permanent housing options • Enhance wellness • Provide addictions support • Provide educational support • Help find employment How is CHAT Unique?


CHAT outreach workers.


CHAT is the only program connecting services in the Winnipeg community that


is meeting clients where they are at, figura- tively and literally, through this unique out- reach model. CHAT Outreach Workers aim to empower and motivate the individual through continuous relationship building efforts to access and retain the necessary assistance so steps can be made in work- ing towards improving circumstances, while harnessing opportunities that lead to permanent housing. The Downtown Winnipeg BIZ contin-


ues to champion, advocate, research and support stakeholders who will focus on changing the systems related to the broader community challenges related to poverty, mental health, homelessness and harms related to addiction. For more information about the CHAT


Program and other programs and services that the BIZ offers, visit www.downtownwin- nipegbiz.com.


New Downtown BIZ Safety & Outreach uniforms


CHAT new uniform. T


he Downtown Winnipeg BIZ recently unveiled a new, modern uniform design for their Safety & Outreach teams – Te Host Ambassadors, Watch Ambassadors


and Community Homeless Assistance Team (CHAT). With a slightly updated look from previous uniforms and the addition of new logos, an emphasis was placed on more visibility for safety and a unified brand across all teams. “We are very excited to announce the launch of our new


uniforms and begin the transition from our old ones,” says Shawn Matthews, Director of Safety and Outreach at Downtown Winnipeg BIZ. Our hope is that the new uniforms will add value to the program, improve staff and volunteer safety, and increase our BIZ member’s and the publics sense of safety as they see a much more visible and identifiable uniform than in the past.” Host Ambassadors, previously known as the Customer


Service Team, have seen the most significant change in their uniforms with new bright orange and black colours, as well as the new “Host Ambassador” name clearly iden- tified in reflective lettering on their clothing. As hosts of our downtown, the ambassadors welcome all visitors and provide anyone looking for a great downtown experience with information on fun things to do and see while they are here. In addition, new downtown information displays


Watch new uniform.


have been installed at the RBC Convention Centre, and the Hosts Ambassadors continue to use their mobile kiosks at events such as the Downtown Winnipeg Farmers` Market at Cityplace. Te BIZ Watch Ambassadors patrol downtown, offering


directions, safewalks, tourist info, first aid (CPR-certified), and assistance wherever needed. Tey also participate in community events and act as additional “eyes and ears” for the Winnipeg Police Service. Teir uniforms have remained red and black with the addition of new silver reflective lettering on shirts and jackets, as well as silver reflective


downtownwinnipegbiz.com (204) 958-4640


info@downtownwinnipegbiz.com 426 Portage Avenue, Winnipeg, MB R3C 0C9 8 Smart Biz www.smartbizwpg.com March 2018


Host Ambassador new uniform.


stripes on all pant legs that will increase visibility at night. The Community Homeless Assistance Team (CHAT)


will continue to wear black uniforms with the addition of new lettering and logos. Te CHAT team is dedicated to performing comprehensive outreach to individuals at-risk of, or experiencing homelessness in our downtown. All teams will wear black and white Downtown Winnipeg


BIZ baseball caps and toques. For more information about Downtown Winnipeg BIZ


programs and services, visit www.downtownwinnipegbiz. com/programs-services.


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