A new community support space has opened at the Millennium Library with the goal of improving safety, well-being, and inclusion in Winnipeg’s downtown. On Friday, Manitoba’s Families Minister Nahanni Fontaine said the new Downtown Resource Corner at the library will offer a range of services, including mental health support, with a rotation of community partners to help people access IDs, rent assistance, and other social supports. “By making sure supports are here where people need them, we reduce the pressure on emergency services and help people stabilize before they reach crisis,” Fontaine said at an announcement at the library. “That’s what this space represents: a practical, compassionate, human response to very complex challenges.” Fontaine said the space opened a few weeks ago, with services being offered in combination with the Downtown Community Safety Partnership. Two mental health workers and a public health nurse from the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority will also have a regular presence at the space. A free public phone and photocopying will be accessible at the location as well. “Public safety is not just about more arrests. It’s about fewer victims, stronger communities, and ultimately a smarter use of resources,” said Manitoba Justice Minister Matt Wiebe, who also spoke at the announcement. The Downtown Resource Corner operates primarily in the afternoons, with extended hours once a week. It is intended to build on the work of the former Community Connections program, which opened at the library in 2022.
