Snow-shovelling program brings together diverse West Broadway community

Two brothers new to Canada are making a difference in Winnipeg's West Broadway neighbourhood, one pile of snow at a time.

Yuel Andmichael, 13, and his brother Matiwos Andmichael, 10, came to Canada from Eritrea in 2016. Even though the brothers, fluent in Arabic, had some trouble speaking English, they began actively volunteering at the Broadway Neighbourhood Centre about a year ago.

They picked up anything they could to help out: mops, brooms, spongesand snow shovels. Unable to ask for help, they watched others and tried to emulate what they saw to lend a hand.

"They just want to give back in any way they can," said 19-year-old Useifa Abdalla, who works as a translator and youth co-ordinator at the community centre. "Theother kids, they help too, but these [two] are the main ones."

Just over a year later, Yueland his brotherstill strugglewith English. When asked what he likes to do outside of school,Yuel simply said, "Help. To help my friends."

Lawrence "Spatch" Mulhall, executive director of the Broadway Neighbourhood Centre, said the brothers make an impression.

"They were taking initiative," he said. "I noticed that their English wasn't great but if you showed them or they watched, they would just sort of pick up and start doing things."

He calls them the centre's "mini executive directors."

Their hard work ledMulhallto hire them to clear snow,as part of a program that helps local businesses and seniors keep their walks clean.

"They were watching me and they were really interested. If I put a shovel down, they would grab the shovel. If I was working with a snowblower, they were watching how to start it," he said.

Mulhallsaid at first they refused to take payment, but he managed to convince them, noticing they needed new gloves and hats. Plus, he said, everyone needs pocket change.

Nancy Wevursky has lived in the West Broadway neighbourhood for 47 years. She relies on help shovelling her walk. Wevursky thinks hiring young people to shovel through the local community centre is an idea that should be adopted across Winnipeg.

"There are very many senior citizens, especially in this area, and we all need help," she said. "These chaps, they need a job. It's a way for them to earn money."

ForMulhall, the brothers are an example of a changing West Broadway. He says that for many years, most of the clients at the centrewere Canadian born.

Now, people of all ages and from all over the world congregate at the centre, whichoffers more than 20 programs, from running to fishing to bridge clubs.

He sees the centre, and its programming, as something that could have a wider effect on society.

"A lot of racism, in my opinion, is from the fear of the unknown. So it seems to break down a lot of those barriers here," he said.

"They're growing up together with multiple cultures and sharing. That is really cool."

Newcomer brothers give back to their community

7 years ago

Duration 1:13

Two brothers new to Canada are making a difference in Winnipeg's West Broadway neighbourhood, one pile of snow at a time.

Urban Myths is a CBC series that explores Manitoba communities and their sometimes surprising stories.