Hope. It's what gives us the courage to move forward. Hope for ourselves. Hope for our children. Hope for the future.
It's difficult to imagine what so many moms and children at the Red Door have been through; being evicted and forced out into the cold, fleeing abuse at the hands of a partner, or escaping violence in their home country.
No matter the circumstances, the Red Door offers a place where hope can thrive.
Every day, so many remarkable women and mothers pass through our doors. Many arrive under dire, often tragic circumstances, but no matter what, their will to build a brighter future for themselves and for their children is stronger than any adversity. Their continued strength and resilience is truly inspiring.
For a mother fleeing abuse with her children, a family facing eviction, or refugees escaping violence in their home country, the shock, anxiety and despair is overwhelming.
Yet the resilience that moms and children at the Red Door show is truly inspiring.
I’m sure you agree that every kid has the right to a childhood - to make friends, to learn, and to grow. A healthy childhood is the foundation of a successful future.
But it's hard to have a childhood when you are homeless. Your whole world stops. You feel helpless, confused, and afraid. To be a normal kid seems a world away.
Ashley remembers the day she and her mom were evicted.
Stephen was only 6 when he first saw his mom and aunt being beaten at home.
He remembers the time his aunt was left hospitalized and the police became involved. They were provided with a safe place to go, but were pursued by his mom’s abuser.
Stephen spent the next two years as a child moving between shelters with his mom, sister and aunt.
“I remember waiting in a bus shelter in the middle of the night with all of our clothes in garbage bags, not knowing where we were heading next.”
The end of the month is a stressful time for Sophia. Like many single moms who have been homeless, and are working hard to live independently after leaving the shelter, more than 75% of Sophia's pay cheque goes to pay the rent. What's left over is barely enough to survive.
Our 2016 Annual Report is available. This report summarizes our operations and finances for the period April 1, 2015 to March 31, 2016.
Thanks to your support we were able to provide shelter and support for 494 families in total. 237 families sought emergency shelter, and 257 families were helped to remain housed after leaving the shelter and moving back into the community.
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