Frontline worker feature: Family Support Worker Rosemary Thompson

In hockey, "taking one for the team" by blocking a slapshot or taking a hit to make a pass is something that quickly earns a player the respect of their teammates. The same goes for acts of sacrifice off the ice. Rosemary Thompson, a Family Support Worker, has certainly taken one for the team throughout the pandemic.
When she started working as a Family Support Worker in November 2019, her role was filled with assisting with housing applications, completing applications for school, work, or subsidized childcare, coaching for job interviews, providing childcare for clients, and more to ensure clients were able to gain independence through the various resources offered throughout Winnipeg.
Thompson's time playing those roles in person was short-lived, however.
"By March 2020, contact with clients was limited to an emergency basis only and it made things difficult because it became hard to determine what exactly was an emergency," said Thompson. "I felt as though I was failing my clients. Most of my work was limited to dropping off cleaning and food care packages. This work involved shopping in various grocery stores throughout the city, standing in long lineups, and often feeling the stress of being in public during an uncertain time."

Her job's duties were only one example of her sacrifice for others during the pandemic though, as she lived on her own and kept her in-house contacts at zero to protect herself and her undiagnosed respiratory issues.
Despite many lonely months, Thompson still found much to be grateful for.
"I felt blessed to be helping others because so many people were laid off or had their incomes affected. It felt good to help families because the agency provided virtual programming and laptop rentals. So along with the care packages, I delivered laptops and registration information to homes. I'm proud of the work I accomplished during these hard times because our clients have needed us, and we've provided for them."
In the same way that Thompson and other frontline workers have been a source of inspiration and hope to so many, Thompson sees the Jets and their return to having fans in the stands as an encouragement to the people of Winnipeg and Manitoba too.
"I am so excited to see the Jets live again because of the electric vibe and the positive energy in the arena. Winnipeg Jets games provide hope during these difficult times because they create a sense of normalcy and that everything will be alright. All the hard work and perseverance was worth it."
Join the positive energy at Canada Life Centre and help the Jets celebrate our frontline workers! Buy your tickets to the Jets' two remaining home pre-season games on Sept. 29 and Oct. 6 today at
WinnipegJets.com/TICKETS
.