MBiz

44 SUMMER 2023 "It's private. It's tucked into Assiniboine Park in a way that's really quite private but also not hidden. So, we're not having kids go through the side door so they're not seen. We don't want kids to feel shame, and there's something really important about being able to go through that front door but still have that general privacy." The money raised to date has largely come from the generosity of Manitobans but also includes contributions from the provincial government ($2 million), the Winnipeg Kinsmen ($1 million), an annual golf tournament, the Go Blue Toba initia- tive during Child Abuse Awareness Month last October and other fundraisers. Another golf tournament is being planned for this summer, and the Go Blue Toba, with True North, is back on board this October. Winnipeg Jets assistant cap- tain Adam Lowry was named the centre's ambassador last October. "Most of the money we've raised out of this $10 million is really people agreeing to take the time. Money is a significant part of it right now because we really want to get our doors open, but this is really about people getting involved in whatever way they see fit," Dzikowicz says. "Right from the onset, we wanted to make sure that this was community-built. We want the community to feel that they are invested in this, no matter what amount they are able to give. … We want as many Manitobans to feel like they helped get this off the ground and be proud of what it is." Dzikowicz is hoping even more people will either organize their own fundraisers for the centre or volunteer. "What we're encouraging people to do is come to our website (https//tobacentre. ca) and reach out to us," she says. "It takes a lot of time and effort, but it's worth it." Centre reps will help organize charity events. There is no hard deadline to reach that monetary goal. "We're going to keep going until we're done," Dzikowicz says. "We're going to be moving into the new building at the end of June so, in an ideal world, we'd want to be done this capital campaign by the end of June. That's our target right now." ■ The Toba Centre for Children and Youth is a charitable organization that co- ordinates a collaborative approach to interviewing child-abuse victims and children who have witnessed violent crimes. CONTINUED FROM PAGE 42 TOBA CENTRE FOR CHILDREN AND YOUTH

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