The dream of a safer community, a seed planted in 2017 with funding from the City of Winkler has sprouted into an innovative new program identifying the invisible families struggling in poverty.

The Community Care Program (CCP) operated out of Winkler's Central Station Community Centre engages at-risk families involved with multiple service agencies such as police, youth justice committee and CFS among others and helps them find solutions instead of spinning their tires.

The program hopes to graduate 10 families in approximately two years starting June 2019.

Tash Olfert spearheads the program at Central Station and says the program creates a team around the family to set goals and provide support. The first family to graduate from the program has been a success, "they feel like they're in a different place than they were a year ago. It's meant to change the trajectory of lives."

The most powerful result is a self-realization the clients achieve, "that you are stronger than you think, and there's more help than we knew," Olfert explains.

Central Station itself regularly hosts more than 250 people at its free Cafe 545 meals.

However, with six staff and numerous programs the facility is running out of space, "a good problem to have" Director Bev Wiebe says at a recent presentation to city council.

Winkler Mayor Martin Harder says Central Station is unique. "I don’t think there is an organization in Manitoba that operates the way you do, and is having the impact you are having."

Harder adds if the city was looking to cut funding, "Central Station is the last organization we would look at."

"This is a vibrant, vital part of our community," Olfert says, noting many don't see the people living in poverty because they don't occupy much of the same spaces like the grocery store or waiting in line at the bank. Central Station, however, is a place they can be seen and where relationships can be started, she says.