A Mother’s Journey with The Salvation Army
A few years ago, Courtney from Fort Frances, Ont., connected with The Salvation Army during a difficult period. She was a single mother raising a young daughter while trying to manage rising living costs.
“I was able to pay my bills, but I didn’t have enough income to cover all our expenses,” Courtney shares.
“I didn’t have enough income to cover all our expenses.”
Despite hardship, Courtney was not willing to give up, as this was not the first time she had faced adversity.
When she became a mother, Courtney was still in high school, balancing parenting, limited income and her goal of graduating. Regardless, she persevered.
“It was a struggle, but we made it through.”
Fast forward nearly a decade and Courtney once again found herself facing an uphill battle that she was determined to conquer. She turned to The Salvation Army, where she and her daughter received support.
“I initially connected with Ryan Daw, the community and family services coordinator and he got me set up. At first, I accessed the food bank and later other resources that helped us secure better housing,” Courtney shares.
Although she felt nervous when she first arrived at The Salvation Army, the staff’s welcoming approach helped her feel at ease.
“I accessed the food bank and later other resources.”
The food bank’s support allowed Courtney to free up money for other needs.
“We appreciate it a lot. We are super thankful. The Salvation Army is a great resource,” she adds.
As life improved, Courtney took an interest in helping others. Through her connection with staff, she learned about an opportunity to apply for a job as an outreach worker with The Salvation Army.
Today, she is a couple of weeks into her new role, now on the other side of the assistance she once received.
“I really enjoy helping families secure food,” Courtney says. “It turned out to be a great fit.”
Having experienced struggles herself, Courtney believes her past experiences help her better relate to clients as she understands what they are going through.
For other mothers who might be struggling financially, Courtney reminds them that support is available at The Salvation Army.
“We are all here ready to give a helping hand.”
Reflecting on her journey, Courtney is proud of how far she has come. While she feels a bit anxious about watching her daughter grow up, she is grateful to have been able to provide for her.
By Juan Romero
