Hello,

We hope you’re doing well!

As we get ready for another year of Poverty Awareness and Community Action (PACA), we’re reaching out to members of the CEL community who have been connected with PACA in the past.

We’re currently recruiting Volunteer Advocates for the 2026–27 academic year, and we’d love to welcome anyone who is interested in getting involved with PACA this year.

Last year, PACA brought Student Advocates and Lived Experience Experts (LEEs) together through both learning and social programming. Students learned about resources and supports such as EIA, CNIB, community mental health services, mobility-related resources, and the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP), while building practical skills in communication, de-escalation, relationship-building, and trauma-informed approaches to support. We also made plenty of room for connection and fun through activities like coffee outings, movie nights, a beach day, and an escape room.

Whether you’ve previously participated as a Volunteer Advocate, or been involved with CEL in another capacity, we’d be happy to have you reconnect with us and continue being part of the PACA community.

Applications are open until September 25, 2026.

Application form link - PACA Support Circle 2026-27 - Application Form – Fill out formhttps://forms.cloud.microsoft/r/2fyKMYkfU5

We’d love to hear from you!

Warmly,

Saira Sheikh (she/her) PACA Support Circle Coordinator Room 203, 55 Chancellor's Circle saira.sheikh@umanitoba.ca https://www.umanitoba.ca/community-engaged-learning Student Affairs – Leaders in cultivating exceptional student experiences! The University of Manitoba campuses are located on the original lands of Anishinaabeg, Ininewuk, Anisininewuk, Dakota Oyate and Denesuline, and the National Homeland of the Red River Métis