1hopewinnipeg.com - 1Hope Winnipeg

DATE: April 28, 2011 CROONER TIA MCGRAFF HOSTS FUNDRAISING CONCERTS FOR 1HOPE WINNIPEG (WINNIPEG)- Recording star Tia McGraff will take the stage in Winnipeg to raise money for 1Hope Winnipeg community ministries. McGraff is a rising Canadian star whose most recent single, Revolution Road, is climbing the Indie music charts. She performs May 6 in a concert at St Paul, Fort Garry church at 830 North Drive and May 7 at Holy Rosary Catholic Church located at 510 River Avenue. The May 6 concert supports the work of St Matthew’s Maryland, while the may 7 concert supports the Oak Table mission in Osborne Village. Tickets are $25 and doors open at 7 pm. For more information call the Anglican Centre at 992-4200.

About Tia McGraff

Tia McGraff was born in Port Dover, ON, Canada, and began writing and recording at the age of 19. After releasing 2 CDs on her label Bandana Records, and 4 videos on CMT Canada, Tia moved to Nashville to further her writing career. It was here that she met her partner in life and on stage, songwriter/producer Tommy Parham. Together they have released 3 albums; toured main stage festivals and songwriter venues around the world (including the famous Bluebird Café); have songs placed in film/tv and recently had their song, All Of Us, placed in an Australian TV commercial promoting multi-culturalism.  Tia’s version of the same song was aired in a video on World Youth Day in Sydney in front of the Pope and over 500,000. She has written and recorded with notables Randy Bachman and Dan Hill and Tia’s songwriting credits have even led her to the honor of being asked to be a judge at the 2010 Aboriginal Music Awards. You can watch her most recent video here.

About 1Hope Winnipeg

1Hope Winnipeg represents five outreach ministries: West Broadway, St. Matthew’s Maryland, Oak Table, North End Stella and Rainbow Ministry. Each ministry serves people living with mental illness or addictions, people without a place to call home, or people shunned by others based on race, income and/or sexual orientation. The need for their presence continues to grow. You can donate here.

Update on North End Stella location and work North End Stella Community Ministry has announced that Community Minister Adel Compton and Cultural Worker Una Truscott will continue to work out of offices at 470 Stella Ave. for the foreseeable future and will not be relocating as previously announced. Programming will continue to be offered in alternative community locations and the board continues to work on the redevelopment of the building through new partnerships. Contact information for phone and email remain the same.

Letter to the editor (Winnipeg Free Press) North End mission moves, but continues its work from new location Dear Editor, I appreciate the attention given to North End Stella Community Ministry in Gordon Sinclair’s column of Dec. 26. Those of us committed to the present work of NESCM are well aware of the significant role this facility has played in the community for over 100 years. Costs of maintaining an old building have made temporary closing necessary. However, our work continues and a focus on racism, poverty, and residential school issues will remain the heart of our mission. The Two Paths One Journey program will continue from office space at 367 Selkirk Ave. The phone and email contacts remain the same. The closing of the building will be most felt by the people of the neighbourhood who have gathered regularly at North End Stella. But while the building is closed for the moment, please be assured that hope and comfort endure. Sincerely, Rev. Dr. Michael Wilson, Board Member

MTS Volunteers serve up holiday cheer in West Broadway Over 300 area residents to receive dinner and gifts at Crossways-in-Common, one of five missions of 1Hope Winnipeg WINNIPEG, MB, December 2, 2010 – MTS is pleased to announce that approximately 100 of its MTS Volunteers will host the MTS Volunteers Dinner for the Less Fortunate this evening at Crossways-in-Common in West Broadway. The Dinner for the Less Fortunate serves a warm meal to West Broadway families and provides each child in attendance with a gift, helping to create a holiday season for them to remember. “We’re always proud to support the MTS Volunteers and the excellent work they do in the community,” said Kelvin Shepherd, President, MTS. “The Dinner for the Less Fortunate is one of many great initiatives that the volunteers organize, which helps contribute to the nearly 50,000 volunteer hours they put in every year.” This is the fifteenth year for the Dinner for the Less Fortunate and the MTS Volunteers are expecting 300 to 400 attendees. They predict they will give out more than 120 ‘Santa Sacks’ filled with the essentials such as warm mitts, toques and socks as well as various other gifts for the children. When the evening concludes, it is likely that a minimum of 1,000 volunteer hours will have been “donated” by the MTS Volunteers. “I think every child should have a special holiday memory,” said Joan Ferris, MTS Volunteer andevent coordinator. “For some of the children coming tonight, this may be their only present.” “Almost 90 per cent of the area’s [West Broadway] children under six live in poverty,” said Bob Gilbert, West Broadway Community Minister. “That’s a heartbreaking statistic, but this event and the generosity of the MTS Volunteers ensure Christmas is a special time of year for those children too.” MTS supports the MTS Volunteers by providing the tools necessary to volunteer. This includes financial support, people power, a facility out of which to operate, and vehicles to ensure they can mobilize within the community.

About the MTS Volunteers The MTS Volunteers are comprised of current and past MTS employees – along with their friends and families – who donate their time to various initiatives throughout Manitoba. Each year, the MTS Volunteers contribute more than 50,000 volunteer hours to community organizations and events. About 1Hope Winnipeg West Broadway community ministry is one of five missions known collectively as 1Hope Winnipeg.West Broadway, St. Matthew’s-Maryland, Oak Table, North End Stella and Rainbow Ministry work together to serve those living with addictions or mental illness, those without a place to call home, or those shunned by others based on race, income and sexual orientation. The need for their presence continues to grow.

About MTS MTS is a business unit of MTS Allstream Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Manitoba Telecom Services Inc. As one of Canada’s leading national communication solutions companies, MTS Allstream provides innovative communications for the way Canadians want to live and work today. The Company has more than 100 years of experience, with 6,000 employees across Canada dedicated to a mission of delivering true value as seen through the eyes of our customers. MTS Allstream has nearly two million total customer connections spanning business customers across Canada and residential consumers throughout the province of Manitoba. The Company’s extensivenational broadband and fibre optic network spans almost 30,000 kilometres. MTS Allstream is a proud sponsor of Cindy Klassen, 2006 World Champion and Canada’s greatest Olympian, and a proud contributor to the Canadian Museum for Human Rights. Manitoba Telecom Services Inc.’s common shares are listed on Toronto Stock Exchange (trading symbol: MBT). Customers, stakeholders and investors who want to learn more about MTS Allstream are encouraged to visit:www.mtsallstream.com.

Forward-looking Statements Disclaimer This news release includes forward-looking statements and information (collectively,the “statements”) about our corporate direction, business opportunities, operations, financial objectives,  planned activities, future financial results and performance that are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions.  As a consequence, actual results in the future may differ materiallyfrom any conclusion, forecast, anticipation or projection in such forward-looking statements. Examples of statements that constitute forward looking information may be identified by words such as “believe”, “expect”, “project”, “should”, “anticipate”, “could”, “target”, “forecast”, “intend”, “plan”, “outlook”, “see”, “set”, “pending”, and other similar terms. Factors that could cause anticipated opportunities and actual results to differ materially include,but are not limited to, matters identified in the “Risks and Uncertainties” section and elsewhere inour most recent annual MD&A and any subsequent quarterly MD&As, as well as our most recent Annual Information Form, all of which are available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. Please note that forward looking statements reflect our expectations as at the date hereof.  We disclaim any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise except as required by law. Media: Jessica Friedle MTS Allstream Corporate Communications (204) 471-8688 media.relations@mtsallstream.com

1Hope Winnipeg: Adrienne Percy Community Relations (204) 296-2992 adrienne@1hopewinnipeg.com -30- Nov. 1, 2010 For immediate release:

NORTH END OUTREACH MISSION FACES UNCERTAIN FUTURE

Winnipeg - North End Stella Community Ministry (NSCM) is facing an uncertain future after serving the people of one of the city’s most challenged neighborhoods for more than 100 years. The NSCM board will meet Monday, Nov. 1 to discuss the mission’s future. NSCM has been struggling to continue operating in the face of greater need and fewer resources. “We’ve had to make a lot of heart-wrenching decisions based on the resource crunch we’re facing,” said Michael Wilson, NSCM board member. “We’ll continue to work tirelessly to keep this mission open for the families that use its services. But we’ll need help.” North End Stella offers a wide range of services including summer camps, community gardens, support for those re-entering the community from the Remand Centre, telephones, computers and resume-writing services. It is also a place where those from the community can come together and celebrate their cultural traditions. Because resources are limited, the daycare/respite service will close by year’s end. For over 100 years NSCM has been a vital presence in Winnipeg’s North End. It provides social, educational, recreational, and spiritual services. Today, its aim is working together for hope and healing with a particular focus on the aboriginal community which plays a leadership role in mission programming. “This would be another blow for a community that has already suffered so much loss” said Adel Compton, NSCM community minister. “It just doesn’t seem right that they could lose something else.” NSCM is part of 1Hope Winnipeg. This newly-formed umbrella group represents five non-profit organizations working together towards a brighter future by connecting with, supporting and empowering the most disenfranchised people in our city. The five outreach ministries (West Broadway, St. Matthew’s Maryland, Oak Table, North End Stella and Rainbow Ministry) serve those living with addictions and/or mental illness, those without a place to call home, or those shunned by others based on race, income and sexual orientation. The need for their presence continues to grow, especially in these times of economic stress. “All five missions face significant challenges,” Wilson said. “We hope that by working together, there is some way we can continue to serve the communities and people that have come to depend on us.” You can find out more about 1Hope Winnipeg and North End Stella at www.1hopewinnipeg.com -30- For more information, please contact: Michael Wilson 1Hope Winnipeg spokesperon and NSCM board member mwilson@charleswoodunited.org (204) 832-3667 -OR- Adrienne Percy 1Hope Winnipeg community relations adrienne@1hopewinnipeg.com (204) 296-2992

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Oct. 26, 2010

1HOPE WINNIPEG PROMOTES HOPE, HARMONY, IN DOWNTOWN FLASH MOB

Winnipeg- Hope and harmony came together today in the city’s core when hundreds of people gathered for a Flash Mob to raise awareness for a charity known as 1Hope Winnipeg. The Flash Mob took place at Portage Place over the lunch hour and featured local hip hop artists Sadie and Bubba B, as well as people of all ages and walks of life. Surprised shoppers looked on and in some cases joined in, as the unexpected sight of people singing and dancing drew onlookers to centre court. The three minute Flash Mob can be seen on YouTube. 1Hope Winnipeg represents five outreach ministries: West Broadway, St. Matthew’s Maryland, Oak Table, North End Stella and Rainbow Ministry. Each ministry serves people living with mental illness or addictions, people without a place to call home, or people shunned by others based on race, income and/or sexual orientation. “Music can bridge so many boundaries. It seemed like a great fit to get the message across that we can all give back,” said Michael Wilson, 1Hope Winnipeg spokesperson. “Whether you are 14 or 84, you can create change in your city. The first step is getting involved. Sometimes it’s as simple as being part of something that speaks to you and showing your friends.” The Flash Mob danced to ‘My World’ – an original song produced by two-time Grammy nominee Fresh I.E. and recorded by hip hop artist Sadie and Bubba B. especially for 1Hope Winnipeg. You can purchase the song by going to www.1hopewinnipeg.com and following the link from the home page or by going to CD Baby. All proceeds from its sale will be donated directly to 1Hope Winnipeg to help ensure the important outreach done by the missions can continue. “I am grateful for all the gifts in my life and I want to give back,” said Sadie, who is also a radio personality at Streetz FM. “Nothing could be more satisfying than the thought of my music sparking change or hope in someone’s life. That’s what it’s all about.” Hot 103 radio personality, Bubba B agreed. Growing up, Bubba alternated between giving and receiving charity. You can read more about his story at www.1hopewinnipeg.com “The whole concept of sharing and helping others was always there in my life,” Bubba recalls. “I know that today, many families in Winnipeg live on the edge, like mine did. It’s important there’s somewhere they can turn to for help when they need it.” -30-

For more information or to arrange interviews contact: Adrienne Percy Community and Public Relations adrienne@3fishmedia.ca (204) 296-2992 High resolution images of today’s are available here. —————————————————————————————————————————-

BACKGROUNDER/FAQ What is 1Hope? 1Hope represents five outreach ministries serving mostly Winnipeg’s inner city.

Where are your missions located? Our missions are located in the communities they serve. West Broadway, St. Matthew’s Maryland, Oak Table (in Augustine United in Osborne Village), North End Stella (at the corner of Stella and Powers) and Rainbow Ministry -which reaches out across the city but has offices at 170 Scott (at Wardlaw).

How are you reaching out to Winnipeggers in need? Each of our missions has programming tailored to the needs of the community. We offer counseling, emergency food packages, light meals and therapeutic art programs. Many locations also offer summer camps for underprivileged children and their families, Christmas events, and things many Winnipeggers might take for granted, like computer and telephone access. North End Stella offers free daycare/respite (by appointment) for moms who have no other options.

Why haven’t we heard of you before? Our five outreach ministries have quietly been working to serve Winnipeggers in need for decades, or in the case of North End Stella, 100 years. Today, we are faced with growing needs and shrinking resources. In order to continue our work we need help from the public. So, we’ve banded together as 1Hope Winnipeg to tell our stories and continue the vital work that is being done in our city’s most disadvantaged communities.

How much of my donation goes to programming? Because staff salaries are covered by an operating grant, 100 per cent of every dollar that you donate goes to programs and services offered by 1Hope community ministries.

How can I download My World- 1Hope remix? You can click on this link  www.1hopewinnipeg.com/myworld. You can also access that link from the www.1hopewinnipeg.com homepage.

How can I get involved? There are many SIMPLE ways to contribute. You can donate, volunteer, buy the song by linking to the banner on our website or from CD Baby. You can help spread the message just by watching the video and sending it to your friends. These are all simple, but powerful ways to give hope to your neighbours, your friends, your fellow Winnipeggers. See 1hopewinnipeg.com for more details.