When I found out I was pregnant at 18, I was horrified. My son Cain’s father and I cried together, but soon after, he told me he didn’t want to be involved with us. I decided to move forward with the pregnancy on my own, but it was a terrifying thought.

At the time, I was staying with a friend’s family, but they didn’t have the means to support me as a young mom. I explored every option, only to find that many shelters in my area had closed or didn’t have the resources that I needed. That’s when I was referred to a United Way Halton & Hamilton-supported Residential Program, and for the first time, I felt hope—a light at the end of a dark tunnel.

Moving into the Residential Program was overwhelming at first. I was surrounded by moms who had already built relationships, and I felt like the new kid, struggling to fit in. But the staff and other residents were so welcoming, patient, and understanding. It didn’t take long before the house felt like a family, a place where I could find support and reassurance every day.

During my time there, I learned essential life skills that I never had before. Growing up, I hadn’t been taught basic habits like maintaining personal hygiene or keeping my living space clean. The program pushed me to build those habits and gave me the tools to create a stable home for myself and my son.

Beyond the practical skills, the program provided emotional support that was just as important. The staff celebrated my milestones, big and small. When I graduated high school as a straight-A student, just three weeks before giving birth, the entire house cheered me on. When I got my driver’s license and bought my first car, they were proud of me. Even applying to college, something I thought I’d never achieve, became exciting as I was accepted into every school I applied to.

Thanks to the program, I found myself again. In the beginning, I felt like I’d lost who I was in my role as a mom. Programs like art therapy for me and baby massage for Cain helped us bond, while also giving me time to focus on my own well-being.  These moments helped me rediscover who I was—not just as a mother, but as a person with goals, dreams, and the power to shape my own future.

United Way’s support of programs is life-changing. Without it, I don’t think I’d have my son right now. I couldn’t provide a safe environment for him, and feared he would end up in foster care. Instead, the Residential Program gave me stability and the resources to succeed.

Even now, I continue to receive support as I transition into independent living. They’ve helped furnish my apartment, provide food assistance, and ensure I can focus on my education without financial stress.