LOVING OUT LOCALLY
GATEWAY OSBORNE LOVING OTHERS
(GOLO)
WHO WE ARE
During the pandemic, the Winnipeg Free Press published an article highlighting how South Osborne was beginning to flourish ([link to article]). The piece pointed to various factors and contributors breathing new life into the neighbourhood. This inspired us at Gateway South Osborne to ask ourselves:
What role could a church play in contributing to a community come alive?
We came to believe that one of the most meaningful ways we could contribute was by SERVING our community and showing love through practical acts of kindness. This vision led to the creation of our GOLO Team —Gateway Osborne Loving Others.
Our mission is simple: to serve our neighbours in Lord Roberts in hands-on, practical ways.
WHAT WE DO
SERVE Lord Roberts
SERVE Lord Roberts is all about helping our neighbours with everyday needs.
Whetherit’s shoveling a sidewalk, painting a fence, planting a garden, moving a couch, or mowing a lawn — we want to lend a hand.
If there’s a practical way we can help, we’d love to do it!
CarePortal
CarePortal is an online platform that connects churches with local needs in their communities, specifically addressing the needs of vulnerable children and their families.
Here’s how it works:
1. Request Submission: Child-serving agency workers upload requests related to families in need through an online interface; or a church entered need can be submitted directly to our CarePortal point person.
2. Church Notification: Participating churches receive alerts about these requests, prompting their CarePortal response teams to take action.
3. Need Fulfillment: If a church can meet the request, a designated point person coordinates the delivery of assistance to the family.
Types of Requests:
Requests typically involve physical necessities, such as:
- Providing a bed for a new foster parent.
- Assisting a mother with rent to help keep her family together.
- Supplying household items for a teen transitioning out of foster care.
The aim of CarePortal is to foster community connections and support for families during challenging times, ensuring they know they have a network of caring individuals behind them.
A Community Carol
Inspired by WestJet’s Christmas giving campaign (WestJet Christmas Miracle), we launched A Community Carol in 2021. That year, we selected a block in Lord Roberts, delivered Christmas gifts, and went door-to-door caroling ([link to video]).
We loved it so much, we did it again on December 22, 2024 — spreading joy through music, gifts, and neighborly connection.
Green Team
Over the past few summers, our Green Team—made up of youth and young adults from Gateway—has been out in the neighbourhood serving in creative ways. They’ve:
• Hosted a weekly kids’ drop-in program in the park
• Assisted with food distribution at Fred Tipping Place
• Offered free community car washes
• Yard work and landscaping in the Lord Roberts neighborhood
• Launched Adopt-A-Block (which is now called SERVE Lord Roberts), a program where they addressed practical needs around the neighbourhood
Fred Tipping Place
For the past two years, we’ve been building friendships with the residents of Fred Tipping Place (601 Osborne). Our goal is to show care and love through simple, practical actions. Together, we’ve shared:
• Bingo and games nights
• Community BBQs
• Apartment cleaning and decluttering
• Fall grounds clean-up
• Christmas caroling
These moments of connection have helped us build trust and friendships while showing our neighbours they are seen and valued.
As the GOLO Team at Gateway Church South Osborne we believe that small acts of service can create big change. We are committed to loving our neighbours in Lord Roberts, ONE PRACTICAL NEED AT A TIME!