On Monday, September 26, 2022 we were thrilled announce that Wolseley Family Place had adopted a new name: Acorn Family Place!
Our Origins
Wolseley Family Place was named after the street of our original location. The name Wolseley references Colonel Garnet Wolseley who was the leader of the British military contingent sent to Manitoba in 1870 to suppress Louis Riel’s Red River Resistance. When colonial associations with the name Wolseley came into public discussion, it sparked many conversations as our organization is dedicated to doing our part to further reconciliation between Indigenous and non Indigenous communities and it was important for us as an organization to be proactive in reflecting our values.
After engagement and consultation with our community including Board, staff, participants, volunteers, community partners and funding partners, and with the support of Relish New Brand Experience, we settled on our new name and logo which we proudly wear.
An acorn is a nearly universal symbol of something which is small, yet strong, and that within lies great potential. A highly relatable icon, an acorn is whole and complete on its own, and with the right nutrients, conditions and support it can grow into a mighty oak tree, resilient and sheltering.
Similarly, Acorn Family Place supports families, walking with them in their journeys, supporting them through the offering of programs and services to help them thrive, strengthening the larger community.
Our new logo depicts an embrace that is welcoming and evoking the vital connection between caregivers and children. The acorn leaves are playful and friendly while the brand colours recall elements of nature, growth and warmth.
In May 1845, Rosalie Cadron-Jette moved into the attic of her son’s house, bringing with her a young woman who had recently given birth. From these humble roots, the Misericordia Family was born, which eventually gave birth to Wolseley Family Place.
Rosalie was born in 1794 in Lavaltrie, Quebec. She married and then mothered 11 children; although 6 grew to adulthood, 5 others died as children.
Because her husband died when she was 38 years old and she had to raise her children alone, she came to understand the struggles of the single mother.
This led to her willingness to assist when young women came to her, faced with the dilemma of unintended pregnancies for which they had no support.
Rosalie was the first of the Misericordia Sisters, who spread across North and Central America on missions to support women and their babies. In Winnipeg, the Sisters founded the Misericordia Hospital and Villa Rosa. In 1997, Wolseley Family Place grew out of these two organizations, as a need was recognized to continue to support families with young children in the community after babies were born.
