Jackie began volunteering with Mom2Mom in the summer of 2011.
“My son had just graduated high school, and I was feeling like I needed to do something helpful for the community. I was reading the newspaper and saw an article on Mom2Mom. I thought it sounded like something I would enjoy, so I went to an info meeting.”
Jackie decided to become a Relationship Volunteer and got connected to mom Hailey*, who at the time was completing college prerequisites and searching for an affordable place to live for herself and her young son. They have stayed connected to this day.
For Jackie, volunteering with Mom2Mom was a way for her to stand alongside women in need in her community.
“Most of these women don’t have anyone to rely on. Being a friend is a huge part of being human. It really struck a chord with me. I didn't know a lot about social justice, but I was willing to learn.” - Jackie
Getting to know Hailey in the early days had its challenges. “I had to learn that I wasn’t there to fix things. I was there to listen.”
Thanks to the generosity of our donors, all moms in the Mom2Mom community receive monthly grocery support to help keep food on the table for their children. Their Relationship Volunteer will meet with them monthly to go grocery shopping. It was during these grocery trips that Hailey started opening up more to Jackie.
“Initially, she never asked anything personal about me or my son. She just shared and I listened. But then she started asking me questions and it became more than just me being there for her. She became a friend.”
Hailey is originally from Brazil and has no family here in Canada. As the years passed, Hailey and her son became a part of Jackie’s family. “She’s come to our house for Christmas dinner and Halloween get togethers for the kids. Hailey feels a connection to my mom and dad, and my brothers and sisters.”
Jackie has seen firsthand how monthly grocery support provides stability for families like Hailey’s. “When things are lean, Hailey has always been able to count on it to help feed her family. I believe that Mom2Mom donors are changing these women’s lives. Having grocery support helps moms and kids feel loved and respected by the community.”
Jackie has also seen what a difference friendship makes. “Hailey has gained so much confidence. I see her tackle things now and she does great—because of the Mom2Mom experience.”
Being a volunteer with Mom2Mom has been a very rewarding experience for Jackie. “I believe it’s made me a better person. A Relationship Volunteer helps to empower another woman, giving her a platform to grow and begin to understand her value.”
In Canada, 1 in 3 women who are single parents are food insecure. And most of those moms are in the workforce—in part-time, low-paying jobs that don’t provide enough income to lift their families out of poverty. These are the women Mom2Mom serves.
Thanks to our community of donors and volunteers, Vancouver moms are receiving the practical and emotional support they need to thrive. Interested in becoming a volunteer? Check out: m2mcharity.ca/volunteer
*Names have been changed for privacy.