Blog provided by Jill Derksen, BSW, RSW, APIN Committee Member.
Having a new baby can be stressful, and finances can play a big part in this. Living in Manitoba, here are a few great programs to get involved with during your pregnancy to help get rid of the stress!
- You Can’t Spoil a Baby:
You Can’t Spoil a Baby is an excellent resource to sign up for when you are pregnant! This resource is easy to sign up for online, and the website gives you a wait time of when you will receive your gift. The package includes “a customized gift of baby clothes in sizes up to 18 months, one ‘wish list’ item, and many other baby items to help with the first year of life are delivered to the family.” (from website). They also include a gift for older siblings!
- Manitoba Prenatal Benefit:
https://www.gov.mb.ca/healthychild/healthybaby/mpb.html
The Manitoba Prenatal Benefit is offered through Healthy Baby Manitoba. If you are pregnant, live in Manitoba and have a net family income of less than $32,000 a year, you can be eligible. All you need to do is fill out the application and send it in with a note including your due date signed by your doctor. A lot of doctors in Manitoba should have paper copies of the application in their office you can ask about as well! After you sign up and told you are eligible, you will receive a monthly cheque that you can put towards healthy food for you and baby.
- Flavie-Laurent Centre:
When you are looking for baby supplies, this is a great place to go to get stuff for free! Flavie Laurent is focused on providing household items to families in need. Flavie-Laurent is a huge warehouse where second-hand furniture and household items are brought to. To enter the warehouse, you first need to apply through the website. After applying, you will be contacted to set up a time to come. When you are in the warehouse, you are able to pick out items you need from a large selection. You need to bring your medical number and information relating to your employment assistance program and income. If you are able to carry the items you choose with you that day, you can take them for free. If you need a delivery, it is a $30.00 fee to homes in Winnipeg. Clients are able to come 1 time every 30 days.
- Community Resource Centers:
Manitoba has many amazing community resources available to young parents that often have baby supplies available for families in need. Some of these located in Winnipeg include the following:
Ka Ni Kanichihk ( https://www.kanikanichihk.ca/ )
Ma Mawi Wi Chi Itata Centre ( https://www.mamawi.com/ )
The Wolseley Family Place ( https://wolseleyfamilyplace.com/ )
West Central Women’s Resource Centre ( https://wcwrc.ca/ )
North Point Douglas Women’s Centre ( https://www.npdwc.org/ )
North End Women’s Resource Centre (https://newcentre.org/ )
…And many more!
The best way to find out what resources are available through these centers is to check out their websites/ social media accounts or stop by during drop ins. Amazing staff will be able to help you out if you stop by or call!
Managing money as a parent can be overwhelming and feel impossible at times. Remember you can always reach out to supports when things get tough! There are so many people available to help if you make the effort to just reach out.