In Thompson and nearby communities, health care sometimes feels unsafe or unwelcoming. Clinics and hospitals can be intimidating, and many community members, especially those who are unhoused, may not feel comfortable entering their doors.
The Minoayawin Mobile Outreach Program (MMOP) was created to change that. By bringing care directly to the relatives in Thompson, the program removes barriers, builds trust, and offers what the team calls a simple but powerful service: “a listening ear.”
Every Tuesday and Thursday afternoons, you’ll find the MMOP van parked in the Canadian Tire lot. Some drivers slow down, curious about what’s happening. The answer is connection, dignity, and care.
The van was placed there intentionally. Previously, people had to cross Thompson’s busiest highway to reach the old location. Now, it’s an accessible and safe place anyone can stop by without risk.
The van offers immediate, relationship-based support, including socks, Band-Aids, hygiene items, counselling, and conversations. As team member Tamara Beardy states, “Outside the four walls of clinics and hospitals, people are more willing to talk”
A Safe Place to Land: The Clinic
On Monday, Wednesday and Fridays evenings, the team also provides some clinical services at the Wellbriety Centre, located at 504 Princeton Drive in Thompson. There are upcoming plans to expand clinical services to one additional evening clinic.
Inside, people will find:
- One-on-one counselling rooms and group space
- Hygiene supplies and everyday essentials
- Focused health days (such as STBBI testing or Women’s Health Days, launching soon)
The clinic aims to feel welcoming and free of stigma. Staff focus on warmth, laughter, and respect. “No white coats here,” said one staff member with a smile. “It’s all ribbon skirts and real talk.”
Still, the team acknowledges some hesitation around clinic spaces. To ease that, they are exploring simple video tours to show what the clinic looks like inside, making it less intimidating for first-time visitors.
Relationship-Based Care
At the heart of MMOP is a focus on relationships over clinical formality. Service Coordinator / Social Worker, Dawn Dumas puts it best:
“I often just say I’m here to provide a listening ear. Over the years, I’ve learned that especially for youth, being heard makes a huge difference.”
This approach reflects the reality that healing often begins not with medical procedures, but with trust, safety, and being acknowledged as a person first.
Collaboration and Community Response
MMOP collaborates closely with the Sâkihiwewin Client Advocate Program, ensuring smooth referrals and shared support. Community members have responded positively, showing respect and gratitude for the program’s presence. Even small challenges are addressed through dialogue and resolution.
What stands out most are the small, everyday requests: socks, a hairbrush, a Band-Aid. Meeting those immediate needs opens the door for deeper conversations about wellness and healing.
Looking Ahead
As winter approaches, the clinic is expected to grow busier. The MMOP team is preparing for more specialized clinics and hopes to expand its storytelling through social media, helping both community members and Thompson residents better understand the program.
Staff are also committed to challenging stigma by sharing real faces and voices. As one staff member reflected, “Thompson can be very racist. Videos and stories could humanize our work. People need to see us, and the people we serve, with respect.”
Find Us – Our Hours
- Tuesdays & Thursdays
- 1pm to 3 pm
- Canadian Tire (Thompson) parking lot – afternoons –
MMOP Clinic – Welbriety Centre ( upstairs, 504 Princeton Drive)
- Mondays, Wednesdays & Fridays – 9:00 am to 3:00 pm
- Evening Clinic – Mondays, Wednesdays & Fridays – 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm
Whether you stop by the van or enter the clinic, the MMOP team listens, supports, and walks alongside you.