From Dreams to Reality on the Pathway of Hope

In just two short years since arriving from Mexico with her two children, Claudia Fernández has created a home, a career, and a stable, comfortable life in Ontario.

Through her own hard work, a desire for a life filled with hope and promise, and the commitment of The Salvation Army, Claudia’s dreams are coming true.

With the assistance and guidance of Geibby Garaban, Pathway of Hope caseworker at The Salvation Army Oakville Community Church, Claudia’s fears for the future were overcome by creating a step-by-step process through Pathway of Hope to better her life and the lives of her children.

“Without Pathway of Hope as a starting point, I would not be where I am today,” Claudia says. “My goals were to provide for my children, to increase my community involvement, and to find a job. Pathway of Hope was key to making those goals a reality.”

With overwhelming feelings of insecurity and doubts for the future, Claudia, 53, was very close to returning to Mexico, leaving behind the opportunities that awaited her in Ontario.

Through intentional and focused one on one conversations and setting reasonable and achievable goals, Geibby helped to change Claudia’s perspective and her life.

“Geibby helped me to learn how to overcome any obstacle, and I started to see things in a different way,” Claudia says. “Instead of saying, ‘no, I am not going to make it,’ I say instead, ‘I am making progress step by step and I am going to make it.’ Someday I will look back and say, ‘I did it by myself and now all these good things are happening.’”

Pathway of Hope focuses on identifying and addressing root cause issues for people living in poverty. It is a high-impact strengths-based case management approach to providing targeted services to people with a desire to take action to break the cycle of crisis and vulnerability.

Balancing full-time Social Service Worker studies at Sheridan College and working on campus during the evenings to provide for her family, Claudia’s determination, desire for success and sacrifice were evident. Pathway of Hope was the transformative push she needed, representing a shift in her mindset and confidence in the skills she possesses to be successful and become a business owner.

Putting Skills into Practice

In leading the Pathway of Hope framework in Oakville, Geibby shares her personal experience with people like Claudia to provide caring guidance and the tools to live a life filled with meaning and purpose.

“Claudia has shown so much perseverance, and she is a strong woman,” Geibby says. “She is a smart woman, with a lot of inner strength, and she will achieve her goals. The support of Pathway of Hope and our partnering community agencies has made all the difference for Claudia.”

Geibby helps Pathway of Hope participants and their families in a wide range of ways, including referrals to other community resources, help to access nutritious food, enrollment in school for adults and children, and support with resume writing and interview preparation.

“Canada is a country of opportunities. Participants are coming from places where there are limitations. Canada offers freedom and opportunity where, with the help of The Salvation Army and Pathway of Hope, what you want to accomplish is within reach,” Geibby says.

In Business, with Confidence

With Geibby’s help in finding a new apartment and support in landing a job at Sheridan College, Claudia’s education provided a stable foundation to take her goals to the next step on the Pathway of Hope.

Claudia started her business Speak Confidence when she was still living in Mexico. The organization coaches students in public speaking and also inspires belief and boosts the self-esteem of participants of all ages.

When Mississauga business owner Derek Maat met Claudia through his wife Heather, he decided Speak Confidence was a seed of a great idea that needed to grow. Through Derek’s investment and support, Claudia is taking the business to the next level, an achievement that would not have been possible without Pathway of Hope.

“We saw great potential in Claudia, and Pathway of Hope played a major role in bringing that out in her,” says Derek.

The Salvation Army works to shape positive futures for program participants through Pathway of Hope, and Claudia’s story is a testament to the power of collaboration, determination, and support to bring about meaningful change.

“Everything is possible when you have the tools in your hands, and you know how to use them. That is what we help to provide through Pathway of Hope, and I am proud to be working with The Salvation Army to create a positive future for our participants,” Geibby says.

The Oakville Community Church’s Pathway of Hope framework stands as one of the most successful in Ontario, earning the prestigious Best Practice Ministry Unit award in 2023. This recognition reflects the effective utilization of the Pathway of Hope process and its transformative service delivery, supporting people like Claudia to create positive change in their lives and communities.

Of the 20 participants enrolled in Pathway of Hope since its establishment in Oakville, 12 have now graduated, successfully achieving their chosen life and career goals. Of those graduates, 86 per cent report experiencing increased hope and 100 per cent of participants note greater stability in their lives. Finding employment is the main identified goal for participants, followed by childcare, housing and community Involvement.

To learn more about Pathway of Hope in Oakville and the difference  it can make in the lives of participants, please visit www.oakvillecommunity.church/pathway-of-hope.