Pathway of Hope Program

Growing up, Sarah had a great childhood. Her parents were both teachers and they were able to spend weekends, summers, and holidays together. As she grew older and entered her 20s, she was partying excessively, and at age 30 she found herself pregnant.

“The biggest thing I struggled with was stability,” shared Sarah. “I was a single mom… no money… no real place to stay.” She moved from job to job and from house to house. “I think I moved eight times in three years,” Sarah shared as she described the lack of foundation in her life. She struggled with money and couldn’t admit she needed help.

Sarah heard about the Play Café at the Connection Point Church & Resource Centre in Victoria; a program that provides a place for parents and their children, up to the age of five, to gather, play, and enjoy healthy snacks. This weekly program became a consistent stop for Sarah and the children she was watching as part of her nannying job. When things started to get difficult for her during the COVID-19 pandemic her sister reached out to a caseworker at Connection Point, letting them know Sarah could use some help during Christmastime.

“There were so many things in my life I wanted to change, but I didn’t know how to do it myself,” said Sarah. The Pathway of Hope program allowed Sarah to work through her own goals as she learned about budgeting, eating healthy, and making time to take care of herself and her home. The counsellors also helped develop a plan for her to return to school and find a career.

She described the challenge of receiving support that first Christmas, “I’ve never been one to accept help… but the relationships I made at Play Café made it easier.” Since starting the Pathway of Hope program she has seen great results. She has applied to school, her budget is on track, she has savings again, and can focus on her mental and physical health, “it’s impacted every part of my life.” Captain Tinisha Reid explained the progress she’s seen in Sarah, “The biggest change has been the confidence to move forward and the means to do so… it’s been so beautiful to see her celebrate every goal.”

For the first time Sarah is looking forward to the change that is coming. She credits that to The Salvation Army, “you’ve changed my life, truly. Without this program I don’t know where I would be… now I’m so excited for my future.”