Dear Friend,

It is our pleasure to share the remarkable achievements and progress we have made this past year. The moms who have taken part in our programming have continued to amaze us. And the people committed to improving the lives of moms and children experiencing poverty have been an inspiration. We've seen a truly remarkable impact.

This year will be remembered as one of "reconnecting." We came together as a community to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic and sought to return to a "new normal.” For Mom2Mom (M2M), bringing back in-person connections and programming was thrilling. We were able to host many community events, workshops, and seminars. We also fostered meaningful connections and dialogue between moms and children. All these events served as platforms for knowledge sharing, skill development, and emotional support.

Rising inflation, housing and food costs continued to put pressure on families in our program. But they didn't have to do it alone. Your generosity supported moms facing the dual challenges of poverty and solo-parenting. M2M was able to continue our Grocery Support Program and our Compassion Fund throughout the year. This provided financial support directly to moms, helped reduce stress, and increased well-being.

Our dedicated and passionate volunteers are a driving force behind our success. The enthusiasm and time they give to our program have amplified our impact and created a ripple effect of positive change.

As you read our 2022-2023 Annual Report, we hope you are able to recognize the impact you have had. Whether you're a donor, volunteer, or supporter, you are changing lives. From practical support to emotional encouragement, your participation makes all the difference. Thank you for caring for the women who are raising our next generation of children. Your love, generosity and encouragement is seen, felt and appreciated.

We are so grateful that you are part of our community.

Warmly,

Alex Bayne

Board Chair

Irene Elhaimer

Executive Director

Thanks to Your Partnership

2022/23 Highlights

From Our Participant Moms

*Data above was collected from our 2023 Program Evaluation

New Faces and New Places

With her young son at her side, and nearly 9 months pregnant, Rochelle found herself suddenly moving into the Strathcona neighbourhood of Vancouver. She was on her own in a new place, surrounded by strangers.

“It felt like we had moved halfway around the world. I didn’t know anyone,” said Rochelle, as she described how isolating it felt to move.

Union Gospel Mission (UGM) had provided safe and affordable housing to help her growing family escape a desperate situation. She was enormously grateful and full of relief, but being completely new to the area also left her feeling a bit overwhelmed and quite alone.

That’s when—thanks to a recommendation from UGM—she was first connected with Mom2Mom.

It Only Takes a Little to Change a Whole Lot

Initially, Rochelle was more than a little hesitant to meet new people. She felt a bit nervous connecting with Mom2Mom and meeting up with her relationship volunteer. “I can feel a lot of social anxiety and I didn’t know what to expect at first,” she said. “As soon as we met though, I felt my relationship volunteer was so friendly and caring! Every one of the program coordinators was incredibly warm and welcoming. I felt my anxiety just disappear.”

Rochelle hasn’t been the only one excited about Mom2Mom's support. The community events have been a huge hit with her son. From movie nights to family picnics, and even a day at Camp Sasamat, these events offer more than just fun—they offer a sense of community. "My son got a chance to canoe and kayak for the first time. We spent the whole day on the water. Those little extras make life worth living," Rochelle beamed.

"I've also exchanged numbers with some of the other moms. It’s been so nice to connect with others that have kids the same age as my son," she said.

Peace in the Present, Thoughts of the Future

As she looks to the future, Rochelle is grateful for the community and support she has found through Mom2Mom. "I hope that more mothers can benefit from this program and that it continues improving many lives for many years to come,” she said. “I’ve been so much less worried about surviving day-to-day, I feel like I can finally start to have bigger dreams for our future.”

*Names in this story have been changed to protect privacy

Words From Our Community

Revenue

$678,937

All of this happens because of you. Thank you for being a part of the Mom2Mom community by supporting our work to improve the lives of families living in poverty.