In October of this year it will be 2 years since I got hired to participate in the Open the Door program. Standing here, once again, to tell my story to people I respect and admire is almost a surreal experience for me. But I am here because I was asked to speak, and I am here to represent many young, single mothers, and I am here because I believe in the Open the Door program.

Being a young mother, I have experienced and witnessed the stigma attached to poverty. I spent many days, weeks, and months without the basics needed to sustain me. And through it all, I had an almost desperate hunger for something more. And in those very depressing days, the only thing I had of any value was my hopes and dreams for the future. I dreamt of an education and a career, and I dreamt of the happiness that awaited me.

The day my son was born was a catalyst for me to take action in my life situation. Looking at him, this newborn innocent child, I saw that my dreams for the future needed to become a reality. I searched for resources to secure employment. I updated my resume, and practiced my interviewing skills. Seeking employment became my focus. The reality was, I had to push a stroller into the YMCA employment center, and I fed my son, while the services offered were explained to me. The gentleman that day was kind enough to accept my son�s presence, but I knew then that I would not be able to bring my son to interviews. After that experience, and the certainty that I had no way of improving our life without child care, my hopes fell. How could I do this absolutely alone? It seemed impossible.

It was my home visitor that told me about Open the Door. Thanks to her, I had exactly one day to prepare for the orientation. I arrived 20 minutes late, with my son in tow, only to arrive and realize that I was only one of two women to have a child there. I sat and I listened as the program was explained to me, and with a fierce and desperate determination I resolved to get into this program.

Words cannot describe the joy I had once I learned that I was accepted into the program. I sat there and observed the other young women in the orientation room. There was joy and excitement where there was none before. We all spoke of our joy at finally having a paycheck, and child care, and the world was before us. And then the reality of the concept of work set in, and our excitement eased off a bit. But I was determined to let nothing and no one stand in my way of securing a future for my son.

And I endured the bad days, and I instinctively reached out to my fellow participants. I wanted us all to be successful. It was never easy for any of us. There were days when I would hold my co participant as she cried about losing her apartment, and not being able to pay her bills. I listened to stories of missing fathers, sick children, empty cupboards and bare fridges. I listened and absorbed what they were saying because their stories were and just are as important as mine. Our graduation was bitter sweet. I was sad to part from these women that had become an extended family to me. I was joyous in that I was gainfully employed at the Region of Peel, Administration office, where I have worked for the last year.

I am currently a full time student at Humber College, pursuing a career as a Registered Nurse, or as a Journalist. Just being able to say that I am a college student is a dream come true for me. I will also be starting a permanent part time position with Malton long term care as a receptionist, and if I plan this right, I may actually pay my way through school. So my success is linked strongly to Open the Door program, Lesley Max, and the staff at Children�s Services as well as my determination. It has never been easy for me, but I am a strong individual with goals, accomplishments, and dreams. I am the face that you see today that represents an army of young mothers. And I say army because these women are fighting for what many inherit at birth. Open the Door is a very useful tool giving us access to financial and emotional stability and independence. Thus we break the cycle of poverty and build strong healthy children. Thank you.

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