“My children mean everything to me. Everything. I would do anything for them. But we hit a rough spot two years ago. A really rough spot. My partner and father of my two children left us out of the blue. We were shocked, scared, and heartbroken. It was really hard on all of us, especially my children. I felt numb.

I tried to carry our mortgage on my own but on a single paycheque, it became too difficult. Beamsville has been our home since the children were born. It’s been our whole lives. But it didn’t look like our home was going to last when I realized I couldn’t keep up with all of the payments. I lost our home. I looked everywhere for somewhere in our area that I could afford. I didn’t want to take my children out of their school. It was the only sense of normalcy they had. I didn’t want to uproot their lives any more than they already had been without their father. I didn’t know what to do or where to turn.

Luckily, the YW’s transitional housing program exists. We had to go on the wait list for the program but it was a glimpse of hope I could cling to. Keshia stayed in contact but wasn’t hopeful we’d find something quickly during the affordable housing crisis. Especially an affordable unit for 3 people! It took a bit of time to find a place that was suitable. While I waited, I was lucky to have friends and family let us crash on their couches for a few months. I’m sure they weren’t happy but it kept us afloat as Keshia worked so hard to find us a place. I’m grateful she did.

It was such a beautiful moment when I got to show my children their new home. They were so excited to not be sharing a couch! And I was so excited to finally call a place our home. It was a fresh start for all of us. With that fresh start and sense of stability, Keshia and I began working on my goals. We knew one had to be finding a job that I would be able to sustain a home with. So we went back to the drawing board and set me up to go back to school! I was so nervous but knew I needed something new. And something that would set us up for a good life. So while the kids are in school now so am I! And it’s going really well. Exhausting at times but lots of learning. I’m enjoying it. We’ve been in our place for the last 16 months and I graduate in May. I’m starting to feel like less of a failure and more like a person who contributes to her family and community. I hope I make my children proud as they grow up seeing me finish school, get a full-time good paying job, and give back to our community.

This is our second Christmas celebrating in our home. I feel so blessed to have this opportunity. To have a place to decorate, celebrate, and be together as a family.”