Marion Willis: Giving a Voice to Those Least Heard

Copy of Website Header Template (3)

Marion Willis: Winnepeg-based Founder & Executive of St. Boniface Street Links

Marion Willis first started recognizing the social injustices around her at a young age. Working to lift people up out of their struggles and poverty is something that brings Willis immense joy, and you can see it in the passion she has for her work and those surrounding her.

When did you start to realize that you wanted to dedicate your life to this cause?

I don’t think I really chose to do this work, instead the work chose me. I’ve always tried to give voice to those least heard and from those voices, the wisdom they shared, SBSL was born. Our successful track record is entirely linked to the fact that everything we do, the programs we offer have all been informed by those who use our services.

How do you navigate the stigma of homelessness when working with partners and others in your life?

Stigma lives in the minds of others. Homeless people are really not that much different than the rest of us. It’s only when we focus on differences that stigma results. We choose to build on strengths and those things we all have in common as members of a human family.

Is there someone that really inspired you to start your journey as an advocate?

Not really. From an early age I was always drawn to the social injustices other faced and in my quest for understanding, became that change-maker , that one who was simply unwilling to accept those injustices as “life” for some.

If you had the world listening to you and only you for 90 seconds, what would you want to tell them?

 I would remind of the world in which we all live, a “highly vulnerable world” that as the COVID Pandemic, the current Russian/Ukrainian have shown us, can change in a moment.  We all need each other and at the end of the day, it will not be what we had or what we accomplished that will define us rather our worth will be measured by how we treat each other.

Are there policies in place that you’re working to change in your community that would benefit those that are affected by homelessness?

Yes, absolutely.  Here in Manitoba a person who cannot provide a stable address is denied health coverage.  Think about that!  We all believe that as Canadians we have access to universal health coverage. There are numerous government polices that have become the unintentional drivers of homelessness.  Heath coverage is only just one.

What is the most often overlooked item that people don’t think to donate? On the other hand, what gets donated the most?

On the other hand, what gets donated the most?  Food, clothing, blankets are amongst those items commonly donated.  Rarely donated are bandages, gauze, disinfectant and other items like tylenol, thermometers, skin cream to soothe eczema and other skin disorders.  We are working to build practical first aid kits that can be dispersed amongst those who live unsheltered.

To learn more about the #HerForShe global movement to inspire and celebrate women by Hershey International, click here!

Share it!

Posted in
Tags

Leave a Comment





Katia Conte Honors Daughter’s Legacy with Childhood Cancer Nonprofit

Hi, Katia! Please share a brief introduction about yourself and your business: My name is Katia Conte, and I am the President/Co-Founder of the Daniela Conte Foundation. Our nonprofit organization is a beacon of hope for families battling pediatric cancer. Founded in 2020, our mission is deeply rooted in the memory of my daughter, Daniela,…

Kristen Chimack Provides Real-World Coaching for Success

Hi, Kristen! Please share a brief introduction about yourself and your business: Hi, I’m Kristen. After a 30-year stint in corporate America, culminating in a whirlwind four years leading the public relations department at a Fortune 40 organization, I decided it was time to hang up my corporate hat and chase my true passions. In…

How Dr. Sophia Yen is Transforming and Investing in Women’s Health with Pandia Health

“One in five women with menopause have considered dropping out of work, have foregone promotion. And we are just at the top of our game and to take us out at 50 is not okay. It’s about empowering women to be the best that we can possibly be.” When Dr. Sophia Yen co-founded Pandia Health,…

Amy Rees Celebrates Solidarity With Personality Plates

Hi, Amy! Please share a brief introduction about yourself and your business: Hi, I’m Amy. Women are at the heart of Personality Plates because I could not have gotten through my difficult divorces and heartbreak without my friends and chosen sisters. I couldn’t have raised my daughters as the strong, independent young ladies they are…

How Julia Haart Reinvented Her Life at 42 from Restrictive Upbringing to Fashion Leader

“Ignorance, people, is good! Jump in. Enjoy it. Ask the questions. Study. Learn. Be an eternal student. That’s how you succeed.” In this episode of Entreprenista, we sat down with Julia Haart, the founder of +Body by Julia Haart, a body-positive, technologically advanced shapewear brand that aims to empower women to unapologetically express themselves and…

The Most Common Mistakes When Starting a Business—and How to Avoid Them

When you’re first starting a business, there’s so much you don’t know you don’t know—like how to price your offerings, market your business, or hire people to support you. Every entrepreneur learns along the way, so why not save yourself some time and money (and potentially even business heartbreak) by learning from the candid stories…

Logan Rae on Her Journey to Founding a Digital Marketing Agency

Hi, Logan. Please share a brief introduction about yourself and your business: I’m Logan Rae, I’m 29 years old and Founder & CEO of Argon Agency. Who are your customers? Mid-size businesses mostly in the behavioral healthcare field. What made you take the leap to start your own business? I had done entrepreneurship once before…

Jennifer Jank on Helping Entrepreneurs Reclaim Their Time and Energy

Hi, Jennifer! Please share a brief introduction about yourself and your business: Jennifer Jank (JJ) is a productivity consultant helping business owners make more profit in less time and with better systems. Her goal is to help entrepreneurs, especially women, reclaim their time, energy, and attention away from busyness and towards joy… without sacrificing profits.…

How to Make an Impact as a Podcast Guest with Patrice Poltzer

“We’re being bombarded all day with so much content and noise. “Please, please. I need your attention here, here, here.” You really have to learn to think about who’s listening. Really ask yourself, what is the takeaway for the person listening? Why does that matter? And if you can’t think of that, then you don’t…

Andrea TheoJohn Helps Clients Grow and Market Their Brands

Hi, Andrea! Please share a brief introduction about yourself and your business: Andrea TheoJohn, MBA is a marketing and branding professional with over 15 years of global and corporate experience. She’s managed over 70 brand professionals in 17 different countries, handled the branding and communications efforts for 160M Euro M&A ventures and now brings that…

How Laurel Mintz Is Empowering Diverse Leaders in Venture Capital

“We transitioned almost everyone out of the company and really flipped the entire company around. It was one of the most painful few months of my entire career, but also one of the most impactful. And if we had not done that, we probably wouldn’t still be standing today.” In this episode of Entreprenista, we…

Valeria Lasak’s Marketing Agency Focuses on Fashion, Beauty, and Personal Brands

Hi, Valeria! Please share a brief introduction about yourself and your business: Hi, I’m Valeria. Cofounder of MKT Besties and Nomad, a marketing agency focused on fashion, beauty, and personal brands, I’m also a community leader with the New Miami Girls community and host the street podcast ‘Who Is She Miami.’ This project is especially…

Leigh Burgess on Her Passion for Consulting, Coaching, and Curated Events

Hi, Leigh! Please share a brief introduction about yourself and your business: Leigh is a CEO & Founder and driven entrepreneur who is passionate about helping organizations and individuals achieve their fullest potential faster. By continuously stepping out of her comfort zone and pushing boundaries, Leigh has not only grown her own company into a…

How to Avoid Legal Challenges with Lauren Bercuson from Storylock Legal

“In the beginning, if you don’t have a team or a system or community around you, it’s very easy to feel lost. There are these amazing communities out there for amazing female founders that will really help guide and support you. So, the greatest lesson I learned pretty quickly was that you’re never alone. Or,…

The Secrets to Building a Community Led Business with Ingrid Read

“You really have to understand that, in order for you to scale, you have to learn how to do certain things and master them before you move on. If you don’t do that, then your audience is going to feel just as lost as you feel.” In this episode of Entreprenista, we sat down with…