Zoongizi Ode Inc.

Strong Hearts

Formerly Fearless R2W Inc.

Our Purpose

Zoongizi Ode Inc. (formerly Fearless R2W) is dedicated to empowering youth and families in Manitoba impacted by complex systems, through advocacy, education, and support. Rooted in the values of love, cultural safety, and Indigenous sovereignty, we create lasting change by challenging systems, fostering self-determination, and empowering communities. Our responsibilities are to support our families in holistic well-being, providing a platform their voices to be heard and their futures to be bright.

Who is Zoongizi Ode?

"Zoongizi Ode" means "Strong Hearts" in the Anishinabe language – is more than a name; it's a proud testament to the unyielding spirit of our community. This name, chosen with reverence and respect, signifies our main purpose to empower the Indigenous youth and families in Manitoba. It embodies the resilience and determination inherent in our cultural legacy. At Zoongizi Ode, we don't just serve our community; we celebrate and nurture the powerful hearts within it, honoring our heritage and building a future where every voice is heard, every challenge met with solidarity, and every success a shared triumph. This name is our banner of hope, a symbol of the strength and pride that fuels our journey toward a brighter, more resilient tomorrow.

Get the Support You Deserve

Need Support? Contact Zoongizi Ode Today for Compassionate Guidance and Empowerment.

1,000+

Youth Supported

300+

Families Assisted

1500+

Community Events Hosted

400+

Successful Advocacy Cases

Our numbers

Empowering Change: Our Impact by the Numbers

Education

Cultivating knowledge and skills: we host weekly family nights and educational initiatives, supporting research, and providing training for community engagement.

Community Advocacy

Strengthening families and communities: working towards family reunification, providing one-on-one support, and engaging with service providers and government for positive change.

System Navigation

Facilitating easier access to essential services: guiding families through government processes, offering assistance with applications and procedures for vital resources.

A little about us

Zoongizi Ode, formerly Fearless R2W Inc., is a dedicated non-profit organization deeply rooted in the North End of Winnipeg. Born from the community's desire to face child welfare issues fearlessly, Zoongizi Ode has become a beacon of hope and support for families striving to reunify with their children and for youth transitioning out of care. Our journey began in January 2014, driven by the community's need to address the alarming rate of child apprehension in the R2W postal code area. We value each member of our circle as family, embracing diverse approaches and opinions, and fostering an environment of support, care, and mutual respect. Our commitment to these values and to the principle of 'Wahkotowin', which underlines the interconnectedness of all relationships, guides our work and advocacy.

Today, Zoongizi Ode stands as a testament to community resilience and empowerment. We focus on three key areas: Education, Advocacy and System Navigation. All of them aimed at strengthening families and the community. Through our weekly family nights at the Turtle Island Neighbourhood Centre, we provide a stable platform for learning, sharing, and growing together. Our advocacy work involves direct support to families in navigating child welfare systems, offering 1-on-1 support and working closely with government and service providers to promote family reunification. In embracing our roots and the evolving needs of the community, Zoongizi Ode continues to be a vital force in building partnerships and fostering system advocacy, ensuring that every child and family receives the support and empowerment they deserve.

Zoongizi Ode Team Members

Ayla Wozny,
Youth Coordinator

Stan Saunders,
Youth Advocate

Mary Burton,
Executive Director

Sharon Janakas,
Research Advocate

Jewles Morrissette,
Youth Helper

Zoongizi Ode Values

We are a circle of support and value one another as one family
We take care of our own (heart, mind, body, soul)
We agree to disagree with kindness.
We believe laughter is medicine.
We believe it is all our responsibility to take care of all the children all of the time.
We encourage each person to find and share their gifts with us.
We welcome different approaches, opinions and styles.
We will not gossip or undermine one another but speak well of each other and communicate any concerns directly to the people involved.
We will look out for one another.

About the Housing Solutions Lab

Through key notions of the “Village” and “mino-pimatisiwin/mino-bimaadiziwin” (translates to the “good life” in Cree and Anishinaabe), our Housing Solutions Lab sought to articulate and respond to the challenge of Indigenous youth homelessness and housing insecurity in Winnipeg’s North End and adjacent inner city neighborhoods. In doing so, solutions aimed to support housing opportunities for Indigenous youth transitioning out of care toward independence and interdependence within their wider supportive network of kinship relations and homelands. As community members of the North End who have grown up in the care of child welfare, and as planners and researchers external to experiences faced by community members but recognize the cyclical nature of these challenges, our team brought together diverse knowledges, experiences, and skill-sets. We sought to reframe homelessness and propose solutions to the often dangerous and unjust outcomes threatening the wellbeing of Indigenous youth aging out of care. As much as the process we engaged in over 20 months (April 2019 to November 2020) was about co-creating and implementing innovative housing solutions, it was about strengthening and advancing the relationships, work, and resources that already exist within Winnipeg and beyond with integrity, respect, and mutual reciprocity.

Click here to view the full Housing Solutions Final Lab Report

Join Zoongizi Ode and Help The Community

Your involvement can make a significant difference in the lives of families and youth in our community. Whether you're offering your time, sharing your expertise, or spreading the word about our initiatives, every action counts. Connect with us today at Zoongide – from volunteering at our weekly Family Nights to participating in our educational and advocacy programs, your support is invaluable. Reach out or join us in person at Turtle Island Neighbourhood Centre. Let’s work together to build a stronger, more empowered community!