Love with purpose
Getting an expert’s advice to build and maintain a healthy couple relationship is now even more accessible with Developing Healthy Couple Relationships – Manitoba Blue Cross’s newly launched online learning program. This eight-session program, based on solid research findings, will help you learn about what makes couple relationships healthy and how to strengthen your own relationship.
“After providing couples counselling for over 10 years, I’ve come to believe that everyone can benefit from being taught the skills needed to be in a healthy relationship because they aren’t instinctive and we don’t learn them by chance,” says Jodie Voth, program services coordinator with the Employee Assistance Program at Manitoba Blue Cross, who designed and authored the program.
Those in couple relationships of all types will benefit from the program, as well as singles who want the tools to build a solid relationship in the future.
Each session covers a unique topic that's important for developing a healthy couple relationship. Topics include:
- attachment (the safe connection between partners)
- communication
- how to have healthy conflict
- calming and coping strategies
- how to bring balance to the relationship
- fostering commitment
- and much more
“Couples today commonly report a lack of time and energy for the things they know will improve their relationship. That’s why this program gets right to the point of what makes relationships tick. Each session can be completed in an hour or less. That means participants learn tools they can use right away in about the same amount of time they’d spend in a therapy session, but it can be done anytime, anywhere, together with a partner or separately,” says Voth.
The Developing Healthy Couple Relationships program is available at no cost to Manitoba Blue Cross members with Employee Assistance Program or Individual Assistance Program coverage. Sign up to discover the valuable, research-based tools and strategies you can use to love with purpose. If you’re unsure of your coverage, log in to your mybluecross® account to confirm.
Want to learn more about the program before signing up? Read this article.
Manitoba Blue Cross funds warehouse space for Sleep in Heavenly Peace
The Sleep in Heavenly Peace building, sponsored by Manitoba Blue Cross, will provide ample space for bed construction, assembly and storage, streamlining the entire process and ensuring that more kids have access to a safe and comfortable place to sleep.
“A warm, safe bed should not be a luxury – it is a fundamental right. That’s why Manitoba Blue Cross is stepping up to support Sleep in Heavenly Peace for years to come,” says Benjamin Graham, president and CEO of Manitoba Blue Cross. “We are providing essential resources that Sleep in Heavenly Peace needs to expand their operations and reach more children in the community. This investment aligns with our own commitment to support the health and well-being of all Manitobans, and we are proud to play an ongoing role in ensuring no child sleeps on the floor.”
This new facility will allow SHP to:
- increase production capacity: With a large, dedicated space and the ability to build beds in the colder months, SHP volunteers can now build and assemble more than twice as many beds, reducing wait times for families in need.
- improve storage capabilities: The facility will provide secure storage for completed beds before delivery can occur while allowing for more efficient and timely delivery.
- enhance the volunteer experience: The workspace will create a more comfortable and efficient environment for volunteers – who are the backbone of SHP’s operations – to build and store beds all year long.
“This generous support from Manitoba Blue Cross is a game changer for us,” says Jim Thiessen, co-president of the local chapter of Sleep in Heavenly Peace. “This new space will allow us to drastically increase the number of beds we build and deliver, ensuring that more children in our community have a safe and comfortable place to sleep. We currently build approximately 400 beds a year and we hope to now increase that to 1,000. We are incredibly grateful for Manitoba Blue Cross’s continued commitment to our mission.”
Join us in helping local children find comfort: Manitoba Blue Cross holds annual bedding drive
Support this valuable cause during our annual bedding drive. Donate new, twin-sized bedding items, including comforters, pillows and sheet sets for local children. Donations can be dropped off weekdays between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. at Manitoba Blue Cross (599 Empress Street in Winnipeg) until June 20.
Online donations toward bedding purchases can be made at https://bit.ly/50beds.
“Our focus at Manitoba Blue Cross is the health and well-being of all Manitobans. We’re committed to building healthier communities – one bed and one good night’s sleep at a time,” says Benjamin Graham, president and CEO of Manitoba Blue Cross. “The outpouring of support that Manitobans showed last year did not disappoint and this generosity helped to create safe havens for local kids. I’m certain the same community spirit that Manitoba is known for will be seen again this year.”
Manitoba Blue Cross holds second annual bed build event
“The bed build event that was held in 2024 to celebrate our 50th anniversary had a profound impact on our staff and myself. Building those beds at Blue Cross Park was incredibly inspiring. We had to turn away staff who wanted to participate,” says Benjamin Graham, president and CEO of Manitoba Blue Cross. “That hands-on work really connected us to this important cause, and I believe it also helped us build stronger bonds within our team.”
Employee volunteers from the health benefits provider, along with SHP volunteers, will be constructing 50 beds for local kids on June 6, 2025 at Blue Cross Park.
To encourage the community to support this valuable cause, Manitoba Blue Cross is also holding a bedding drive once again. Donate new, twin-sized bedding items, including comforters, pillows and sheet sets for local kids. Donations can be dropped off weekdays between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. at Manitoba Blue Cross (599 Empress Street in Winnipeg) until June 20.
Online donations toward bedding purchases can be made at https://bit.ly/50beds.