Catherine

By the age of twenty-three, Catherine knew her life was headed in the wrong direction.

She had left school in Grade Seven and spent her teen years working in minimum wage jobs. After two abusive relationships, she found herself living on welfare, trying to raise two children on her own.

She moved in with her mom and tried to regroup.

One day, she discovered the Skills Development Centre at the YWCA in Toronto. The staff said they would help her study for the high school equivalency.

“The preparation for the exams took about three weeks,” she explains “and the counsellors stayed late at night to tutor me one-on-one.” Soon, her high school diploma was in hand.

But she kept returning to the program, drawn by the new relationships she had formed.

“The staff here is different,” she says. “They listen to your goals. At other places, you’re just a number.” Through them, Catherine learned that everyone –including her – deserves to be treated with respect.

With their encouragement, she signed up for other programs, including office administration and computer courses. Her self-esteem started to rise. Now, she says, “it’s gone through the roof!”

Catherine now works for the YWCA as a full-time group facilitator.

“The confidence I’ve gained has changed my life. My kids say I am a completely different person, and my son tells everyone how proud he is of me.”

Catherine’s life now has purpose and direction.

"The most beautiful part is that I am now able to connect with other women and help them on their path out of poverty.”