THANK YOU
The 11th Annual 5ish Fun Run was a tremendous success, all thanks to our amazing sponsors, supporters, volunteers, and participants! 🎉🏃♂️🏃♀️
Check out the video below to see all the fun we had in May! 📽️✨
FREE ICE CREAM WALK AND
SKIP-A-THON TRAINING
THANK YOU
WBYO's 14th Lawyers for Literacy Read-A-Thon
was held successfully on March 16, 2024!
A big thank you to The Law Society of Manitoba and all dedicated volunteers!
CONGRATULATIONS
Straight-A-Effort Rockstar Beti!
CONGRATULATIONS
Straight-A-Effort Rockstar Masaret!
TOP 10 HOMEWORK CLUB
ROCKSTARS 2022
Wanna know who WBYO's Top 10 Homework Club Rockstars of 2022 are?
CLICK THE VIDEO BELOW TO SEE!
WBYO's 8th Annual Super 6 Outing
Dreams Film Festival
Summer 2019, Week 8:
Staff Choice Week
It was all completely up to the staff this week! Our amazing summer staff chose where the group was headed off to each day. We went for a scavenger hunt at Millenium Library, lunch at the Prairie 360 revolving restaurant, rollerskating at Wheelies, a soccer tournament at the RecPlex, bowling, and a super surprise all day outing at... the Morden Corn and Apple Festival!
Summer 2019, Week 7:
Kids Choice Week
This week, the kids chose! With Kids Choice Week, every day, the kids voted on where they got to go. We ended up going to the skate park, Sherbrook Pool, staying at the centre to play video games, having a LEGO competition, and seeing a movie while snacking on unlimited popcorn!
Summer 2019, Week 6:
Mad Science Week
Mad Science Week at WBYO was nothing short of amazing scientific fun! We held our annual Amazing Race competition on Tuesday, visited the Manitoba Museum, held our annual Fear Factor contest (with the final round being fried worms, chocolate-covered larvae, and a blended up Jolibee meal!), and ended of the week with another annual WBYO Mad Science Week tradition; The Great Boat Float!
Trip to Edmonton for a WBYO Straight-A-Effort Homework Club Superstar!
WBYO took a Straight-A Effort Homework Club Superstar to Edmonton! Aishat, one of our Straight-A Effort kids of WBYO's Homework Club, saved up all her Straight-A Effort hours over the past 3 years, and cashed them in for watersliding at West Edmonton Mall! All of her Straight-A Effort report cards, which showed improvement in all subjects in school, were all a result of Aishat's hard work!
Watch the YouTube video below to see Aishat's inspiring Straight-A Effort journey!
Watch the YouTube video below to see Aishat's inspiring Straight-A Effort journey!
Summer 2019, Week 5: Sports Week
This week was dedicated to some good old physical fun! We took part in Morfit at Memorial Park, skateboarding, rock climbing, and mini golfing! On Friday, our very own Rotary kids hosted a Youth Leadership Sports Day with the rest of our summer group, and they did an amazing job!
Summer 2019, Week 4: Art-Tastic Week
Art-Tastic Week was spent at the Fringe Festival! We saw a bunch of different shows at MTYP and Old Market Square! On Thursday, we dropped off Aishat and Loana for their trip to Edmonton (for Aishat's Straight-A Effort over the past 3 years... more to come soon!) at the airport. And on Friday, we visited Graffiti Art Gallery where we had a craft session and went back to the centre for a dance party! What a creative week!
Summer 2019, Week 3: Water Week
Water Week has always been a favourite at WBYO, and this year it wasn't any different! We spent the week swimming our way around the city and beyond, and made a huge splash doing it! This week, we went to Elmwood Kildonan Pool, Kildonan Park Outdoor Pool, Panam Pool, Fun Mountain (our super surprise water fun for the kids), and Patricia Beach! We're already itching to jump into the pools for summer of 2020!
Summer 2019, Week 2: Wheel Week
Our second week of summer was Wheel Week! After getting our bikes tuned up by WRENCH, we spent the first day of the week testing our bike skills and signals. We got rained in on Tuesday, so we had a super awesome dance party instead! The next two days were spent biking to the Forks trail (where we had a picnic) and Assiniboine Park! We ended Wheel Week with our annual trip to Folk Fest, where we spent the entire day enjoying music and the outdoors!
Summer 2019, Week 1: Outdoor Week
We kicked off summer here at WBYO with Outdoor Week! The kids got to have fun at the Forks, do yoga in the park, explore nature at Fort Whyte, and swim and play at Osborne Park! What a great first week it was!
WBYO's 24th Annual Red River Ex Outing for the 2018-2019 Top 10 Homework Club Kids + Top Reader!
Every year at WBYO, our amazing volunteers of Homework Club choose the Top 10 kids they have found to show the most effort and best work ethic throughout the school year, as well as the top reader! This year wasn't any different, and we took these Top 10 Homework Club Kids and our Top Reader to the Red River Ex for the 24th year in a row! You can watch all the fun we had in our YouTube video below!
WBYO Takes a Straight-A Effort Kid to See Shawn Mendes!
Check out our YouTube video from the experience below! And don't forget to subscribe to our YouTube channel for more videos from WBYO!
Homework Club's Celebrity Tutors!
Throughout the months of May and June, WBYO invited Winnipeg celebrities to stop by our Homework Club on Wednesdays as tutors! Check out who came to WBYO to encourage our kids to achieve academically! Winnipeg celebs supporting WBYO's Homework Club superstars!
May 1 - Tyler Magz (radio host from 103.1 Virgin Radio)
May 8 - Leah Gazan (Federal Member of Parliament for Winnipeg Centre) & Attack Basketball
May 15 - Centreport Canada (Carly Edmundson + team), RBC (Hadia Asit + team), & Recruit Ready Football
May 22 - Geoff Currier (from CJOB) & Recruit Ready Football
May 29 - Vinh Huynh (principal of Gordon Bell High School)
June 5 - Lisa Calvez & Andrea Hinther-Janus (principal and vice-principal of Ecole Sacre Couer School)
June 12 - Markus Chambers (City Councillor for St. Norbert - Seine River), Recruit Ready Football, & Brady Oliveira (from the Winnipeg Blue Bombers)
June 19 - Winnipeg Blue Bombers players
May 1 - Tyler Magz (radio host from 103.1 Virgin Radio)
May 8 - Leah Gazan (Federal Member of Parliament for Winnipeg Centre) & Attack Basketball
May 15 - Centreport Canada (Carly Edmundson + team), RBC (Hadia Asit + team), & Recruit Ready Football
May 22 - Geoff Currier (from CJOB) & Recruit Ready Football
May 29 - Vinh Huynh (principal of Gordon Bell High School)
June 5 - Lisa Calvez & Andrea Hinther-Janus (principal and vice-principal of Ecole Sacre Couer School)
June 12 - Markus Chambers (City Councillor for St. Norbert - Seine River), Recruit Ready Football, & Brady Oliveira (from the Winnipeg Blue Bombers)
June 19 - Winnipeg Blue Bombers players
2019 Year-End Music Recital
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To showcase our amazing WBYO musicians' talents, we hosted our year-end music recital! These talented kids have worked all school year to perfect their musical skills, and oh boy, all that hard work sure paid off!
The recital took place on June 10th at the Lions Place! Special thanks to Lion's Place for hosting, Alexander for being an amazing Music Coordinator and planning the event, and our volunteer teachers, who taught our FREE music lessons that allowed this recital to happen! The program cannot run without you all! If you are interested in participating in our music program next year, feel free to email us at [email protected]! |
2019 5ish Fun Run!!
Our 2019 5ish Fun Run took place on Sunday, June 2nd! To see more photos from this year's race, click on the "5ish Fun Run!" tab above!
WBYO's Fun Run Club!
March Updates:
Homework Club Sleepover & Spring Break Outings
March was a crazy month at WBYO! Our March sleepover for Homework Club kids with over 30 visits was a total success with 13 Homework Club superstars in attendance. The sleepover included gelato, a trip to Flying Squirrel, and a movie! It was a blast!
Our 2019 Spring Break outings were all so much fun! We went to see the Al Simmons concert on Monday (where we got some backstage pics), had a bowling party on Tuesday, went for ice cream and swimming on Wednesday, had a crazy time at Flying Squirrel on Thursday, and (for Kids' Choice Day) stayed at the centre for a day full of video games!
WBYO & Law Society of Manitoba's 9th Annual "Lawyers for Literacy Read-a-Thon"!
On March 16th, we had our 9th annual Lawyers for Literacy Read-a-Thon! Our super readers at the Read-a-Thon read a collective total of 900 books––what an accomplishment! The weekend after, we took these super readers for an outing to both the movies and laser tag for all of their hard work and awesome reading skills! Check out the photos from the Read-a-Thon below!
All of us at WBYO want to give a HUGE thank you to the volunteers, Mulvey School, and the Law Society of Manitoba for making this event happen with us! We couldn't have done this without you.
All of us at WBYO want to give a HUGE thank you to the volunteers, Mulvey School, and the Law Society of Manitoba for making this event happen with us! We couldn't have done this without you.
Back to school season has officially started at WBYO! We love creating super-awesome recreational programming, just look at these happy faces!
Executive Director Ken Opaleke Invested Into the Order of Manitoba
On Thursday, July 12th, 2018, our incredible Executive Director Ken Opaleke was officially invested into the Order of Manitoba. During the ceremony at the Manitoba Legislative Building, he was cheered on as he received his award inside, and was surprised by a mob of WBYO staff and kids as he exited the building!
This momentous day also marked 30 years of no sick days taken from work. It was Ken's goal to equal his grandma Naomi Sullivan's record, as she is his greatest role model and aspiration. Ken has dedicated these last 30 years to being of service to the kids of WBYO, and the staff and children are so extremely thankful for all he has done and continues to do for WBYO.
This momentous day also marked 30 years of no sick days taken from work. It was Ken's goal to equal his grandma Naomi Sullivan's record, as she is his greatest role model and aspiration. Ken has dedicated these last 30 years to being of service to the kids of WBYO, and the staff and children are so extremely thankful for all he has done and continues to do for WBYO.
Articles on Ken Opaleke's Investment into The Order of Manitoba
Opaleke to enter order of Manitoba
Obstacles that Shape Us: Overcoming a physical and social icebox
Inspiring musician, university president, pediatric researcher among Order of Manitoba inductees
Opaleke to enter order of Manitoba
Obstacles that Shape Us: Overcoming a physical and social icebox
Inspiring musician, university president, pediatric researcher among Order of Manitoba inductees
2018 Top 10 Homework Club Kids & Top Reader
A Night at the Red River Ex
After a year of strong work ethic and dedication to homework club, we took our top 10 participants and top reader of the 2017-2018 school year for an all-included trip to the Red River Ex!! The evening was filled with food, fun and LOTS of rides!! The kids all had a blast and we are so proud of their handwork this past year. Can't wait to see who the Top 10 Homework Club kids are next year!
2017-2018 Year-End Music Recital
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Bravo and Congratulations to all WBYO pianists and guitarists who performed in our year end recital on Monday, June 11th. The recital was a result of FREE music lessons taught this past year by our wonderful volunteers!! The progression of skills and dedication by the kids could be clearly seen as all performances received rounds and rounds of applause from the audience. Special thanks to Lion's Place for hosting, Emma our lovely Music Coordinator for planning the event, and once again our volunteer teachers, the program cannot run without you all!!
If you are interested in participating in our music program next year, email us at [email protected]. |
15th Annual Straight A Effort Holiday Dinner Highlights
9th Annual Lawyers for Literacy! |
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WOW! What a Saturday it was! We've never seen so many kids be SO eager to read a book and so many lawyers be SO excited to hear what happens in each story! After kids picked books from the library at Mulvey Elementary School, they partnered with a lawyer to read a book or a chapter together. Lawyers and volunteers assisted with tracking the number of books/chapters read with the goal of having a grand total of 1200 books read! The gym filled as the day went on. By the end of the day, our top 3 readers were announced - 3rd place: Fatih who read 36 books/chapters, 2nd place: Aishat who read 39 books/chapters and our grand first place winner: Miatta! She read 43 books/chapters and walked away with a backpack filled with surprises including an iPod, school supplies, headphones and more!
A HUGE shout out to all our volunteers and to the Law Society of Manitoba––we really couldn't have done this without your support and eager energy to read! Thank you also to Mulvey Elementary School for allowing us to host our fundraiser in your gym for the first time. It was a great success overall and we already can't wait for next year!!
A HUGE shout out to all our volunteers and to the Law Society of Manitoba––we really couldn't have done this without your support and eager energy to read! Thank you also to Mulvey Elementary School for allowing us to host our fundraiser in your gym for the first time. It was a great success overall and we already can't wait for next year!!
Ho Hey!
Thank you to the Festival du Voyageur for having our kids! It was an amazing experience (and first for some!) that will forever be carried with them! We are already looking forward to next year's festivities!
Loving Every Moment!
Valentine's Day at WBYO! Our Homework Club kids kept busy with the many Valentine's Day themed activities. Later each of them were treated with a yummy Valentine rose (chocolate of course!) and a goodie bag. Festivities continued with our "After-Valentines Day Dance" that was held at Mulvey Elementary. Glow sticks, more treats and the best dance songs...couldn't get any sweeter than this!
2018 Super Surprise Holiday Outings!
Each year during the winter break, WBYO takes kids out on super surprise holiday outings! Kids come prepared with runners, swim suits, and parachutes! See what we got up to this year :)
Holiday Celebration 2019 at Mulvey Elementary
A HUGE shout out to all our donors, volunteers and supporters who made our holiday celebration a success! Everyone who attended was able to enjoy a wonderful turkey dinner and an impromptu choir. And as Santa read the names of each kid on his Nice list, their eyes widened with delight as they received a gift, got to sit upon his knee and enjoy a peppermint treat! Thank you to all who played a part in this spectacular celebration! The support and happiness really lit up the gym of Mulvey Elementary school - what a way to say "Tis' the Season!"
A Surprise Welcome Home!
WBYO's Dr. #2, surgeon #1 tried sneaking into the city this holiday season without letting us know. Watch below as we show her what happens when you try doing just that!
http://winnipeg.ctvnews.ca/video?clipId=1267594
http://winnipeg.ctvnews.ca/video?clipId=1267594
Young Eagles in Flight Program!
On June 11, WBYO kids had the chance to fly thanks to RBC and the Young Eagles in Flight program. Thank you to our wonderful pilots!
In the news: Winnipeg Sun Apr. 27, 2017
CALLING ALL WINNIPEGGERS: RUNNING SHOES NEEDED FOR INNER CITY YOUTH
Youth centre kicks-off shoe drive in preparation for annual 5ish Fun Run
West Broadway Youth Represent Manitoba
Read-A-Thon Success!
Thanks to the Law Society of Manitoba and all of the local families who participated in our annual Lawyers for Literacy Read-A-Thon! Already looking forward to next year.
Annual Lawyers for Literacy Read-A-Thon coming up on March 14
Tito Daodu (WBYO's Dr. #2) wins Distinguished Alumni Award
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Tito Daodu, WBYO's fabulous Doctor #2, was the recipient of a University of Manitoba's Distinguished Alumni Award on May 12, 2015. WBYO was there in shining yellow to cheer on our sister and mentor, alongside the Mayor Brian Bowman, the President of the University and many other well-wishers and supporters.
We couldn't be prouder of Tito, and we know that many of our youngsters who look up to her can't wait for their turn to change the world. Congrats Tito. |
WBYO Homework Kids, ready to sing Tito's praises.
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WBYO does Festival du Voyageur!
Feb. 23, 2015- Big thank yous to everyone at Festival du Voyageur who made our day out so special! Some very hardworking homework kids went and spent the day exploring the Fort, learning about Canada's Fur Trade and Voyageurs, munching down on snow candy and playing hard to keep the cold at bay. Can't wait until next year! Merci Festival!!
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A Dream Come True!
West Broadway Youth Outreach has opened a second location! The new space will house the programs offered to youth aged 10-15+, including Dreams Career Mentorship, Girls' World and Boys' World. A new special place for all the amazing young men and women who access WBYO, what a great way to start the new year!
Read all about it here!
Read all about it here!
Out of This World!
WBYO Dreams youth were treated to a night with Colonel Chris Hadfield, at the Concert Hall. For more information about Chris Hadfield, visitwww.chrishadfield.ca.
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A Night at the Opera!
WBYO was lucky enough to be gifted tickets to the Manitoba Opera's production of Fidelio. I think we may have inspired a new generation of opera lovers!
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WBYO Rocks WE Day
Three lucky and hardworking WBYO kids received invites to participate in WE Day, and maybe even change the world. We have every reason to believe these three girls will move mountains and we know this world is better for having them in it.
If you want to find out more about WE Day, go check our their website.
If you want to find out more about WE Day, go check our their website.
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Rubbing Shoulders with Heros
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Our dear director, Ken Opaleke, was rubbing shoulders with other Manitoba Heroes on Sept. 27. Including the fabulous Fred Penner! So, that's pretty amazing. The Manitoba Heroes also made a generous donation to WBYO, so as well as incredibly honoured to be in such good company, we are also deeply grateful to the wonderful work Heroes continues to do.
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A Hero in West Broadway
May 26, 2014
Derek Taylor and Ken Opaleke on Global News Winnipeg talking about West Broadway Youth Outreach's programming, summer plans and the incredible 5ish Fun Run.
Watch the entire interview here.
Derek Taylor and Ken Opaleke on Global News Winnipeg talking about West Broadway Youth Outreach's programming, summer plans and the incredible 5ish Fun Run.
Watch the entire interview here.
Lawyers for Literacy 2014
The Law Society of Manitoba held its 4th annual Lawyers for Literacy Read-A-Thon this weekend with over 100 volunteers coming together to raise money for WBYO's literacy programs on Saturday March 22, 2014. Together they raised over $14,000 for our kids, as well as reading over 1,200 books in a single day with our participants.
A big thank you to Share the Magic, who came and gave away an estimated 600 books; every child who came to the Read-A-Thon got to take up to 10 books home with them.
We couldn't be prouder of our kids, or more thankful for all the people who came together to share their love of books.
All our love to Jenny, for organizing this literacy love in!
Read all about it in the Winnipeg Free Press article here.
A big thank you to Share the Magic, who came and gave away an estimated 600 books; every child who came to the Read-A-Thon got to take up to 10 books home with them.
We couldn't be prouder of our kids, or more thankful for all the people who came together to share their love of books.
All our love to Jenny, for organizing this literacy love in!
Read all about it in the Winnipeg Free Press article here.
Recipe for Success: The MonsterBall Sub
Our cooking club entered the Winnipeg Foundation's Recipe for Success Video Cooking Contest! Two Mad Scientists took over our kitchen to make a MonsterBall Sub Sandwich to share with anyone out there with hungry monsters. This healthy vegan "meat"ball sub was created with tons of help from our volunteers, and you can read the whole story by clicking here.
Make sure to go and vote for your favourite video (you KNOW it's ours) and help Winnipeg kids win some really great prizes!
Make sure to go and vote for your favourite video (you KNOW it's ours) and help Winnipeg kids win some really great prizes!
Oct 26th 2013- Manitoba Heroes Award
Ken Opaleke - Manitoba Hero Award 2013
On October 25, 2013, our amazing Director, Ken Opaleke, was awarded the Manitoba Hero Award for his efforts to improve the lives of Winnipeg's inner-city youth. Ken has spent over 20 years creating programs and building relationships to ensure that the kids who come to his programs reach their full potential and achieve their dreams, no matter how big those dreams are.
Join us in celebrating the man who makes it all possible!
Join us in celebrating the man who makes it all possible!
Want to learn more about Manitoba Heroes and Ken Opaleke' story? Check out these links!
Manitoba Heroes
Manitoba Heroes: Facebook
Ken's Manitoba Heroes Story
Winnipeg Free Press: West Broadway youth worker a Manitoba hero
The Winnipeg Sun: Manitoba 'heroes' to be honoured
ChrisD.ca: Manitoba Heroes Honoured for Community Contributions
Manitoba Heroes
Manitoba Heroes: Facebook
Ken's Manitoba Heroes Story
Winnipeg Free Press: West Broadway youth worker a Manitoba hero
The Winnipeg Sun: Manitoba 'heroes' to be honoured
ChrisD.ca: Manitoba Heroes Honoured for Community Contributions
June 2013
The 5ish was a smashing success! Check out this great article!
May 16th , 2013
Check out these awesome articles about Doctor #2, Tito Daodu's Med school grad!
April 26th, 2013
April 17th, 2013
Check out director, Ken Opaleke on the front cover of Winnipeg Men!
