Welcome to Take Pride Winnipeg!

Our Mission

To inspire civic pride, raise public awareness, and promote citizen responsibility in making the city of Winnipeg clean and beautiful.

Our Vision

Winnipeg - proud, clean and beautiful.

History

"Winnipeg-A Clean City" was adopted by Winnipeg City Council on May 10, 1989 as a program to enhance the overall beauty of the city. The main driving force behind this initiative was a partnership between the City and BFI Waste Systems (now Progressive Waste Solutions). The program was funded by a surcharge on commercial refuse tipping fees. On May 15, 1991, Take Pride Winnipeg! Inc. was founded to oversee the program. The purpose of the organization was to "establish a permanent body with civic, business and public representation to maintain an ongoing program that will keep the city of Winnipeg clean and beautiful."

Established as a non-share capital corporation, Take Pride Winnipeg! Inc.'s operational programs were mainly carried out by City departments such as Streets and Transportation Department and Parks and Recreation Department. There were also partnering programs with various community groups such as the Mural Program, Residential Landscaping Awards and Business Property Awards. In addition, Take Pride Winnipeg! Inc. maintained an affiliation with Keep America Beautiful.

Changes to the surcharges for the tipping fees altered the funding arrangements for Take Pride Winnipeg! in 1997. A new executive director and executive assistant were hired to revamp the organization and set it on a new course. Take Pride Winnipeg! became a private, non-profit charity and was prepared to oversee all of its existing and new programs. The new vision for the organization was "Winnipeg, proud, clean and beautiful." A new education program was developed, as well as a new mascot and club for young people, and an education assistant was hired to direct this programming. Take Pride Winnipeg! became a founding member of the T.A.G. Team (Together Against Graffiti) in the fall of 1997. The mural program grew dramatically with over 200 murals being painted from 1998 to 2005. The litter cleanup campaign was expanded, plus Take Pride Winnipeg! took over the leadership role of the Winnipeg in Bloom contest and developed the Winnipeg in Lights contest in 1999.

Take Pride Winnipeg! has continued to grow, looking to new corporate support to ensure its financial stability, as well as adding programming and another staff member (volunteer coordinator position added in 2003). With strong leadership, community relations, effective programs and a clear purpose, Take Pride Winnipeg! will continue to grow for many years to come.

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