Anna’s Story

“I try my best.   Everything I do is for my kids.   And to look after my kids, I have to look after myself.”

Anna’s* face lights up when she talks about the plans she has for her family’s future.   A proud, young, single mother and provider for four (three kids and a younger brother), she came to Bissell Centre in September looking for help supporting her young family.    

 The rising financial burdens of life in Edmonton meant that Anna was looking for resources to improve her family’s wellbeing.   Last fall, she was referred to Bissell Centre by a friend who had participated in our Parenting Plus Program – a free, weekly service for parents like Anna to learn parenting skills, share stories and gain vital social supports.  

Thanks to Bissell Centre’s network of services, her children were able to attend our free child care and Anna was able to join Parenting Plus herself.

“My baby’s face lights up whenever she sees the staff.   It’s her favorite daycare.”

Anna was ready for a better job.   To raise her family, she has to rely on income supports that are shrinking in value.   The Women’s Pre-Employment Program was created to give women the skills to earn a decent living.   It wasn’t long before Anna decided to join and improve her family’s livelihood.

“I had worked in trades for four months, but had to give up once I became pregnant.”

Since completing her job skills training at Bissell, Anna has signed up for a professional 17-week course for women in trades.   With looming labour shortages, she is in an excellent position to earn a better income for herself and best-of-all, her children.

Because of your support, families like Anna’s can look forward to a better future.  

About our donors, Anna says, “I think that it’s really good what you’ve done.   You’re really generous, especially to people that you don’t know.”

With compassion and training, families can move from daily hardship to prosperity.  

Thank-you for providing new beginnings for families across the community.  

*Names have been changed to protect family privacy.

Story taken from our most recent newletter.

Helping People Start Over

– Story by Bissell Centre Drop-in Staff Member

A gentleman came into the drop-in about 8 weeks ago. He approached me and asked about several of our programs. Further discussion revealed he is a recovering alcoholic that had relapsed for the last four months and lost his home and job.

We met daily for  three  weeks when he decided to detox and head to AA to resume work with his sponsor. I encouraged him in this and provided bus tickets. Two more weeks passed and he regained his sobriety. He remained sober despite many stressors and I encouraged him daily with affirmations and active listening.   Last week he told me he wanted to go try out for a job. I encouraged him and offered tickets to get him to the appointment.

He has good skills and believed this would assist him to get back into an apartment and off the street. He seemed to me to be a very motivated individual so I believed him about the interview. We role played and I tried to be as supportive as possible. Friday last week he came into the drop-in beaming. He was offered a job! It was very apparent how happy he was when he showed me his letter of offer for a very well paid position.   I coached him around self confidence and gave some referrals for assistance with addictions when working.

He thanked me and asked about housing. I referred him to our Adult Support progam  and instructed him as to what he needed to do to  get funds for the first month’s rent and some start up funds for returning to work.   Today I saw him and he showed me the copy of his lease. He moves in the 25^th of January and starts his new job the 23^rd. I am very happy for him. He told me he could not have done it without me. I told him I could not have done “it” were HE not so motivated and skilled and in the end it was he not me that “done it”.   He promised to send a postcard to the Bissell from his first international posting. BRAVO!!!