I - Amanda - learnt about Winnipeg Connect through my assistant Jen. She’s been to a handful of their events and has always come with stories of hope, happiness, and fun interactions. When we were working on our “There’s a Community For That” panel we thought Sabrina (she/her) would be the perfect addition to our lineup.

Here’s a bit more on Sabrina through a little interview to get to know her.

What is the hardest part about what you do?

Finding the older guys to fill up spaces at events!

What is the all-time dream part of your job? The thing you still pinch yourself that you get to do? And, tell the people how often you actually get to do it.

Seeing people actually build REAL LIFE friendships and partnerships is the literal shit. It is wild that strangers are so open and welcoming and actually make space to show up and see and be seen by others. It's wildly brave. We try to host two events a month - a dating event and a community event. And it is a wild gift to see humans come together with such openness and kindness.

I absolutely love when folks send me pics of their friend crew get togethers, girls trips, and sweet selfies with their partners. I cannot believe WE DID THIS TOGETHER. That people actually show up is still absolutely bonkers to me.

If you could tell your Day 1, starting a biz self one thing what would it be?

You will be held here in ways you never imagined. You think you're starting this for other people, but get ready to also be changed by the beautiful humans you've yet to meet. And be ready to deconstruct everything you think you know about relationship here, because you're going to need to throw it all out.

Someone wants to get into creating a space/experience for connecting people. What advice - from an expert - would have saved you a lot of time, sweat, and tears?

Oooof. I think maybe do your homework, and get ready to shed your own implicit biases around relationship, gender, and sexuality. Being with people means really meeting them where they're at, and that means being critical about your own lenses that you bring to the work.

Fun fact about you?

I thought I didn't like dogs and swore vehemently I would NEVER get one (much to the dismay of my child, who cried most nights about wanting a puppy). We fostered a chiweenie during covid (and kept her, obvs). She picked me as her person, and now I am the biggest fan.

Fav book? Fav show? Your All-time go-to movie while working?

Fav book? I don't remember books once I've read them! Fav tv show - Somebody Somewhere. Most nostalgic film I love is Empire Records.

Any closing thoughts for the Camp Rover Community?

I think being human, together, is the answer for most of life's struggles. And I love that we get to come together to learn and grow and be challenged here. What a gift to be a part of it all.