“I still can’t believe it,” says Maggie.
Maggie* became a Social Worker with the Ministry of Child and Family Development this summer. She recently graduated from the University of Victoria with a specialization in child welfare - a program she did online while solo-parenting her daughter, who goes into grade 7 in September.
While Maggie may be awed at her personal success, it’s her determination and hard work that has secured this bright future.
“When my daughter started kindergarten in 2013, I went back to school and very slowly got through it,” she explains. That year brought a lot of change for Maggie.
“I had a breakdown from not dealing with emotions from years ago. It was a lonely time. I thought, ‘I can’t continue like this.’ So I talked to a friend and she told me about Mom2Mom.”
Maggie got a referral from the Community Worker at her daughter’s school and she was soon paired with a relationship volunteer.
“I wanted someone I could talk to about what was going on, who wouldn’t judge me for being a single mom or for going through challenging times. Mom2Mom did that for me. When Anthea and I met, there was an instant connection.”
The monthly grocery stipend has provided practical support for Maggie’s family as well.
Their little family faced financial hardship and because of the grocery stipend, Maggie was able to balance her monthly finances.
“At first, I didn’t do it every month, but then Anthea would say, “It’s time for a grocery shop. Do you want to go?’’ and she would take me. I didn’t have to sacrifice things that I would like for myself or my daughter. I could pick healthier options without sticking to the cheaper foods that I was buying before.”
Maggie decided to graduate from our program in June 2020 as she feels she no longer needs the support. We wish her and her daughter all the very best as they enter this new season!
There are moms just like Maggie dreaming about a brighter future for themselves and their children. When you provide practical and emotional support today, you help them get one step closer.
*Names have been changed for privacy.