This past year, Mom2Mom celebrated its 10-year anniversary. As we look back over the last decade, we continue to be amazed by the moms that have taken part in our programming and by the people who are committed to improving the lives of children and moms living in poverty. Nicola, a long time Board member, captured our sentiments well when she said,
“It is the passion of the people connected with M2M as well as the strength and resilience of the moms and families that have kept me hooked to the organization for all this time.”
In a year that will be known for inflation, rising food costs and the continued impact of COVID-19, your generous support ensured that moms facing the dual challenges of poverty and solo parenting didn’t have to do it alone. This year, you built connections and offered practical support as moms scrambled to adjust to financial pressures, continued isolation and parenting through the pandemic.
As you read our 10th Anniversary (2021/22) Community Impact Report, our hope is that you'll see the significant, tangible impact you are making in people's lives. From practical support to emotional encouragement, your role in our community is truly changing lives. Thank you for caring for the women who are raising our next generation of children. Your love, generosity and encouragement are seen, felt and appreciated.
Warmly,
Thanks to Your Partnership
2021/2022 Highlights
56 moms and 118 children participants were supported
14 new volunteers were trained
68 relationship volunteer connections were made
11 volunteer coffee connection meetings took place
5 Circle of Moms events took place*
647 grocery gift cards were distributed
41 Compassion Fund requests were fulfilled
35 Healthy Happy Children activities were funded
*This number is usually higher but was limited due to COVID-19 restrictions
From Our Participant Moms
“M2M helped with my son's camp in 2021. This year [Happy Healthy Children] helped with one week of a spring break camp for my son. The [grocery] gift cards helped me every month. When we do programming such as cooking, picnics, it creates a sense of belonging in the community.”
*Data above was collected from our 2022 Program Evaluation
Learn more about Mom2Mom programs and how we are supporting families in need.
In Penny’s Words
“I have been with Mom2Mom since before the pandemic hit. The strongest connections I have made have been with the staff who have always been welcoming, warm and kind towards me. The monthly grocery support is a huge lifeline for me, especially with the well-known increased prices we all face. Families with dual incomes are finding it hard to survive, so as a lone mother I am grateful for the comfort it gives me to help feed my child. The events that Mom2Mom hosts are something my child and I look forward to and enjoy. This is my only connection to other moms and it helps me from feeling more isolated than I already do. Luckily I was able to send my child to sports lessons to help build confidence. There is nothing that brings a mother more joy than seeing their child laugh and play–something Mom2mom graciously helped with. I am thankful every day for Mom2Mom and their amazing staff. Though I don’t see them often, knowing they are there for me when I need them is a big blessing that brings me such solace. I hope that more mothers can benefit from this program and that it continues improving lives for many years to come.”
*Name has been changed for privacy reasons
A Legacy of Help & Hope
Mom2Mom would be nowhere without the compassionate actions of our generous community of supporters. Supporters like Eleanor Sprout, whose legacy gift to Mom2Mom will have a lasting impact for the moms and children we serve.
The child of a teen parent, Eleanor was raised by her grandmother until she was 14. During the early 1940’s, she lived in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside and attended Strathcona Elementary School. The family struggled to make ends meet, especially as no government support was available then. Eleanor didn’t even have her own bedroom until she attended teacher training in Victoria after receiving a $75.00 scholarship.
Eleanor was dedicated to giving back throughout her life, taking on numerous volunteer roles such as a long-term care assistant at the Kelowna hospital, a Brownie’s leader, school lunchroom worker when her daughter, Sharon, was in middle school, and a treasurer and secretary in many organizations she was involved with over the years.
“She always volunteered for many different groups over her adult life…she was strict and had high standards for us, but she was always kind and generous in helping us and others.”
- Eleanor's daughter, Sharon
In her later years, with the help of her daughter, Eleanor established two bursaries to help students attend university.
Her compassion for struggling families and desire to give back to her former community in the Downtown Eastside is what drew Eleanor to Mom2Mom.
“Mom was very happy to think that she could maybe help some women and kids and help to decrease the stresses and struggles of living in poverty. Without some good fortune and help from people along the way, who knows how my mom's life would have turned out.”
- Eleanor's daughter, Sharon
Eleanor passed in June of 2022. She was a dedicated mother, wife, caring friend, and compassionate leader in her community. Her memory lives on through the many lives she touched, including her 2 surviving children, 4 grandchildren, 2 great-grandchildren and all of us at Mom2Mom.
Thank you to each person, family or organization who has donated their time, money, and kindness. You are a part of the Mom2Mom family, making it possible to continue to connect moms and children living in poverty to the resources they require to thrive.
If you’re not already, we’d love to invite you to join our family of donors.
A Special Thank You
We want to take this opportunity to thank the following foundations, charities, organizations, and corporations for partnering with us in supporting local moms and their children.
- Blue Planet Links Foundation
- Canada Helps
- Cause We Care Foundation
- Charitable Impact
- City of Vancouver
- CKNW Kids' Fund
- DataCore Mail Management Ltd.
- Esplen Family Private Giving Fund, held at Nicola Wealth Private Giving Foundation
- Fograscher Family Fund, held at Nicola Wealth Private Giving Foundation
- Frank Miller Family Fund, held at Vancity Community Foundation
- George and Donna Battye Fund, held at the Vancouver Foundation
- Health Sciences Association of British Columbia
- IATSE Local 891
- Intact Insurance
- INTERNATIONAL CELLARS
- Island Key Computer
- Lillian and Ross Davidson Foundation, held at Vancouver Foundation
- McLean Group Employee Endowment, held at Vancouver Foundation
- Mount Pleasant War Memorial Community Cooperative Association
- Nicola Wealth Private Giving Foundation/Nicola Wealth Gives Back
- P.A.I.D. Family Foundation
- Run for One Planet Legacy Fund, held at Vancouver Foundation
- Schmelke Family Foundation
- Second Harvest
- SpencerCreo Foundation
- The Colin B Glassco Charitable Foundation For Children
- The Federation of Community Social Services of B.C.
- The Royal Canadian Legion
- Topsail Fund, held at Vancouver Foundation
- Trinity Central Church
- United Way
- Vancity Community Foundation
- Vancouver Foundation
- Victoria Newitt Recruitment
- Wilson Family Private Giving Fund, held at Nicola Wealth Private Giving Foundation
- Yellow Dog Brewing Company Inc.
- Youth and Philanthropy Initiative Canada
Financial Summary
Total Grants & Donation Revenue
Total Expenses
*This reflects a summary of the Mom2Mom Child Poverty Initiative Society financial statements for April 1, 2021 to March 31, 2022. Detailed statements are available upon request. If you have any questions about your gifts, the impact you are making or how you can do more, don't hesitate to be in touch with us at info@m2mcharity.ca.
Our Goals for 2022-23
Our mission is to connect moms and children living in poverty with the community, resources, and support they need to thrive. With this mission in mind, our goals for the upcoming fiscal year are:
Increase the number of participant moms and volunteers connected to the program
Support the relationships between participant moms and volunteers by providing additional opportunities for community-building events through our Circle of Moms program
Provide resources and programs to support participant moms and their families
None of this happens without you! We can never thank you enough for what you’ve already done to help families thrive.
More Ways to Get Involved
Healthy relationships and social connections are a vital support to the moms we serve. If you have some precious time to give, we’d love to have you join our team in action!
Become a Relationship VolunteerHave a great idea for a fundraiser or a company that wants to donate proceeds to Mom2Mom? Get in touch below!
Fundraiser Interest FormMembers of The Mom Squad (Mom2Mom’s monthly giving program) provide a sustainable and reliable source of funding that helps participant moms get the groceries they need for their family, every month.
Join the Mom Squad TodayCreate a legacy of support and stability for moms and children living in poverty. Connect with our Fund Development Team to learn more. Please note that our legal name is Mom2Mom Child Poverty Initiative Society.
Leave a Legacy
Keep in Touch
Exciting things are coming in 2022-23! Keep in touch by subscribing to our email list and following us on social media.