If you were in downtown Thompson or on the Millennium Trail at the right times this summer, you might have noticed the bright blue shirts of the downtown ambassadors, a program run by the Thompson Neighbourhood Renewal Corporation (TNRC).
"They travel on foot and they're on bike," said TNRC community development co-ordinator Francine McIvor. "They're in the downtown, but they're also focused on the Millennium Trail." The ambassadors, all between the ages of 20 and 28, walk through the downtown area and bike around the entirety of the Millennium Trail.
The 2010 group of ambassadors kicked off their summer at the National Aboriginal Day barbecue on June 21, handing out hot dogs and drinks while wearing their new uniforms. "This year we provided them with new uniforms," said McIvor. "They're very visible."
This year's ambassadors are Vincent Denechezhe, Leilani Linklater, Rebecca Danttouze, and Dale Carlson. They work mostly evenings and weekends. "The ambassadors are responsible for promoting a safer and friendly Thompson environment," said McIvor. To that end, the ambassadors work closely with bylaw officers and the RCMP, notifying them if they encounter a situation that might require the authorities' presence.
For those situations where there is absolutely no need at all for police or emergency intervention, the ambassadors also have an answer. "Each ambassador has promotional giveaways to reward the community for good behaviour," explained McIvor. Anyone caught by the ambassadors doing something helpful to the community could be given a free gift, such as a Frisbee or a hat.
The downtown ambassador program is a seasonal program run by the TNRC to create a safe and healthy environment by serving as an extra "eyes and ears" in the downtown and on the Millennium Trail.
