Wellness Initiatives
Assiniboine's Initiatives
Welcome to Assiniboine's Wellness Initiatives, where your health and well-being come first. Explore a variety of resources, programs, and events designed to support your physical, mental, and emotional wellness. Join us in creating a healthier, happier community together.
- Food Security / Community Fridge
- Assiniboine / BU Medical Clinics
- Wellness Fair
- Fill Your Cup
- From Surviving to Thriving
- Tai Chi
- Nicotine Cessation Booths
- Final Stretch Support
- New Wellness Handouts
Food Security / Community Fridge
Reducing food waste and promoting food security.
Land and Water Management Alumni, Sara Madill researched and developed the Community Fridge project as part of a Capstone project. Assiniboine’s Community Fridge project is a small-scale solution promoting food sharing to address food waste and food insecurity issues amongst students. The Community Fridges have diverted more than 12,000 lbs of food from landfill since we started weighing the donations and rescued food in April 2024.
The Community Fridge project follows the rules and regulations of The Food Donations Act. The Students' Association regularly contributes to this project. Assiniboine staff also donate to the cause. We have also received donations from The Salvation Army, Food Rescue, and Samaritan House since 2022. Additionally, we are very grateful to Mindful Employer Canada for their grant funds over the last four years that we have used to stock the Community Fridges.
The Community Fridges are located near the Students' Association’s Crossroads at the Vic Ave East campus, near the Cube on Mazergroup Main Street at the Len Evans Centre for Trades and Technology campus on the North Hill campus, and in the student lounge at Parkland campus.
The Food Security committee meets monthly September to May and includes staff, Students' Association members and student volunteers. If you are interested in getting involved, please email [email protected].
Interested in donating towards the project?
Visit our donation page or leave a cash donation in the gray donation boxes next to the Victoria Ave E and North Hill fridges.
Assiniboine / BU Medical Clinics
Offering medical services to Assiniboine and BU students every Wednesday.
In partnership with Prairie Mountain Health and Brandon University, Assiniboine and/or BU students are welcome to attend medical clinics with Nurse Practitioner Berly Belsar-Lawrence at either campus rotating between Assiniboine and BU every Wednesday. Assiniboine medical clinics are walk-in only in room 234, Victoria Avenue East campus. BU medical clinics are also walk-in only in the Knowles Douglas Students' Union Centre (lower level).
Confidential services include but are not limited to medical prescriptions, contraception, LGTB and trans health services, STBBII testing and chlamydia and gonorrhea treatments, mental health support and referrals, minor non-urgent medical issues (e.g., ear infection, respiratory tract infection) and other referrals.
For more information see the BU / Assiniboine Medical Clinic or call 204-578-4800. Medical clinic dates can also be found on the Assiniboine Students' Association's events page.
Wellness Fair
Bringing local resources and organizations to staff and students. This year, the Students’ Association will be hosting a Student VIP Wellness Fair October 6 from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The Fall 2025 Wellness Fair brought representatives from fourteen different community organizations in the Students' Association Crossroads area. Organizations gathered to share wellness related resources with students, staff and each other.
Fill Your Cup
Replenish your stores of physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual energy in January.
This is an annual wellness event that ran from January 19 – 23, 2026. There were over 20 events and/or activities including The Shop Talk Lounge: A Wellness Experience, Bell Let's Talk campaign, Assiniboine Students' Association Student VIP visits and Nourishing the Learning Spirit with Elders. See a complete listing of activities.
Five campuses were involved including Victoria Avenue East, North Hill, Winnipeg, and Southport. Thanks to all those who made Fill Your Cup a success including Assiniboine Students' Association, Indigenous Affairs, Bell Let’s Talk, and our organizing committee.
From Surviving to Thriving Workshops
Building resilience and planning for stressful situations.
Mindful Employer Canada has sponsored this initiative for the last four years. This 1-hour workshop developed by Canada Life and Workplace Strategies for Mental Health on Mindful Campuses, involves recognizing stressors, exploring automatic responses to stress and choosing healthier responses to stress. Ten workshops were offered throughout 2025-2026.
Mindful Employer Canada has shut its doors therefore grants will no longer be offered. We want to thank Mindful Employer Canada for their generosity over the years.
I want to thank you for offering your services and attending our class today. The students had a bit of a stressful day today so it was very timely on your part.
I personally want to thank you for your service. I genuinely see the need for wellness supports in students and basically everyone in general. I am always looking for new ideas and techniques.
- From faculty member who organized a Surviving to Thriving workshop for their students
Tai Chi
From September 11 to December 21, 2026, every Monday and Friday from 12:30 to 1 p.m.; join either of two sessions (12 to 12:30 p.m. or 12:30 to 1 p.m.).
Tai Chi is a moving medication practice. Herb Mahood makes it accessible to anyone, regardless of experience level by introducing static movements one at a time and then introducing more movement and sequencing. Every session opens and closes with the eight brocades, a gentle Qigong practice that involves intentional movement coordinated with breathing.
Weather permitting, we are now meeting outdoors by entrance K (near the children's playground) on the north side of Victoria Avenue East campus. If too hot, we move close the picnic table on the east side of the children’s playground. If weather does not permit, we meet in the gym on the first floor.
This initiative is open and free to students and staff. No special clothes or equipment in needed. No experience necessary. No registration required. Everyone is welcome!
Nicotine Cessation Booths
Prairie Mountain Health’s Health Promotion Coordinator, Monique Mantei will have a booth the last Thursday of each month September – November | January – April between 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. in the Link at Mazergroup Main Street, LECTT and the 2nd Thursday of each month September – November | January – April between 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. at the Vic Ave E campus cafeteria. Monique will share free quit resources, provide education on tobacco use, health effects, and available supports including classes.
Final Stretch Support
Fall 2025 and Spring 2026 Terms
On December 2, 10 and 18, Wellness Advisor, program advisor and academic support staff supported students until 7 pm by walking around the Victoria Avenue East campus with a trolley of items (e.g., fidgets, stickers, art supplies, eye masks, notebooks, hand lotions, lip balm, etc.). We checked in with students on campus and offered gifts to encourage them in their last push to the end of term, provided resources and referrals as needed. We had a total of 113 interactions.
We repeated this initiative March 31, April 7 and April 14th, plus we were able to visit Portage campus on April 10th. We interacted with a total of 111 from 19 programs in the spring.
Fall 2026 Dates: November 24, December 2 and December 10.
Spring 2027 Dates: March 30, April 8 and April 14.
New Wellness Handouts
Sierra Smith chose to join our team for her senior Digital Art & Design Practicum. We are thrilled to make the following wellness handouts accessible to Assiniboine students.
Resilience
Managing Stress
- Completing The Stress Cycle
- STOP to Gain Perspective
- Managing Stress with the 4As
- Self-Compassion Break
Goal Setting
Balancing Social Support
Reflection Exercise
If you or someone you know is thinking about suicide, call or text Canada’s Suicide Crisis Helpline at 9-8-8.