New Mom Leaves Poverty Behind

For most of her life, Holly slept on the streets or stayed with friends. She’s skipped meals to pay the bills  and panhandled to have food to eat. Now she’s a new parent, wanting to improve her financial situation. With help from The Salvation Army she is accessing the resources needed to leave poverty behind.

“The worst part of being poor and homeless is that no one sees you as a human being.”

“I had many obstacles in my youth,” says Holly, 24. “My mom was an alcoholic and I ran away from home at 16. I tried to be responsible but constantly struggled to afford food and a safe place to live. My troubles were so overwhelming I dropped out of school and was eventually homeless. The worst part of being poor and homeless is that no one sees you as a human being.”

When Holly became pregnant, a friend told her about a program, Buns in the Oven, offered at The Salvation Army’s Bethany Hope Centre in Ottawa. This program teaches about nutrition and health, pregnancy and babies, and how to access food and social supports.

“There is a lot of help at the centre,” says Holly. “I have goals and dreams and my family and I have a chance to get out of poverty.”

“I have goals and dreams and my family and I have a chance to get out of poverty.”

The Bethany Hope Centre acknowledges that poverty continues to be a significant issue that impedes a young family’s ability to succeed. As such, the centre is committed to supporting, equipping and empowering parents through challenging periods in their lives.

“I’ve learned to shop on a budget and cook healthy meals,” says Holly. “I know more about health and parenting and have access to healthy food. I’m on the other side now.”

Holly is currently enrolled in the centre’s Learning Coach Program to complete her high school education.

“I hope to go to university to study psychology,” says Holly. “I want to advocate for the homeless and educate the public about poverty.  

“I was never seen as just a client, but as someone who matters.”

“The Salvation Army helped restore my self-esteem and increased my confidence. They didn’t judge me but helped me move forward. I was never seen as just a client, but as someone who matters.”