It’s been a tough year for moms who parent below the poverty line.
Family finances are tighter than ever. As summer approaches, the critical support moms rely on for their children will vanish—including breakfast and lunch programs, and free activities for kids at school. These additional financial stresses—in a year marked by job loss and other hardships—put isolated moms and kids at serious risk.
We’re determined to fill this critical gap through the summer months and we need your help.
At Mom2Mom, we know that one of the best ways to support moms in need is to support the healthy development of their kids.
With the progress of BC’s vaccine rollout, there’s hope for a return to “normal” this summer. Day camps and summer activities will be available, and that means kids will once again have places to go that promote health and fun.
Our goal is to raise $15,000 before June 29, 2021—the last day of school—to ensure that kids can go to camp, do activities like swimming and karate, and enjoy fun family outings.
Thanks to a generous champion who is going to triple the first $5,000 donated, your gift automatically triples to reach even more kids this summer. Please give before June 29 to TRIPLE your impact!
This summer, will you help kids be kids again?
$45 provides swimming lessons for one child TRIPLED = THREE KIDS!
$99 provides day camp for one child TRIPLED = THREE KIDS!
$135 provides horseback riding lessons for one child TRIPLED = THREE KIDS!
$225 provides an annual museum pass for one family TRIPLED = THREE FAMILIES!
$475 provides bike camp for one child TRIPLED = THREE KIDS!
Meet Hannah
Hannah* is a single mom to five kids, ranging from two to 16 years old. Fiercely independent and self-assured, Hannah prides herself on running a joyful household despite the stress of parenting below the poverty line.
Hannah is eager for her kids to have a ‘normal’ summer this year.
But because she hasn’t been able to work—like so many others her part-time employment was lost due to the pandemic—finances are extremely tight.
“Thanks to Mom2Mom donors, my daughter Amy took an art class on Granville Island last year and absolutely loved it. My son Dan was in swimming lessons. If it’s safe, I know they would love to do these activities again.”
Amy’s art classes and Dan’s swimming lessons were funded through Happy, Healthy Children, a Mom2Mom program that moms in need can access to help afford these special learning opportunities and activities. The program is available year-round, but is mostly accessed through the summer months when schools are closed and supports vanish for vulnerable families.
Tonya, a Mom2Mom volunteer who has gotten to know Hannah and her kids over the past two years, sees first-hand the importance of supporting moms through the summer.
“By helping moms, you are taking the pressure off so they can be there in a really positive way for their kids during the summer.”
- Tonya, volunteer
“It's one of the things I see with Heather,” explains Tonya. “She is a fantastic mom, incredibly patient, a lot of fun. I think that without support from Mom2Mom donors, she would be a lot more stressed. Hannah is able to provide a stable, safe, secure family for her kids. It’s important to remember that supporting moms has a big impact on their kids.”
Mom2Mom volunteers like Tonya walk alongside moms in our program, offering friendship and a listening ear. All moms in our program, like Hannah, are paired with one or two volunteers and they get together monthly to go grocery shopping and share time together.
“The very first time I met Tonya, it was like we were perfect for each other,” says Hannah. “The Mom2Mom staff who paired us got it right. We had coffee and went for a walk. It was honestly like meeting up with a friend. She’s someone I can talk to about happy things, sad things. I can vent—I don’t have that in other parts of my life.”
“Hannah and I found our way fairly quickly, having quiet conversions getting to know each other like friends would. She is warm and very funny—one of the gifts that came out of our friendship is the great laughs we have. Hannah is strong and resilient. She is not one to complain or ask for help. What I’ve noticed over the years is that the more we’ve gotten to know each other, the more she is willing to ask for help and seems to be accepting of help and support.”
- Tonya, volunteer
Hannah doesn’t have a car and relies on taxi services when public transit isn’t convenient for shopping and appointments. It’s an expense that adds up quickly.
“Tonya is so thoughtful and mindful. She offers to drive me to doctor appointments and helps drive my kids to after school activities. We also go grocery shopping together and that helps me save on the cost of a taxi.”
Every month, Hannah receives grocery support from Mom2Mom donors that helps her keep food on the table for kids. Grocery support provides stability and reassurance to Hannah and her kids that they will have enough to eat.
“Knowing I can count on grocery support helps to reduce my stress. Without support from Mom2Mom, I couldn’t afford the bulk stuff that carries my family through the month. Donors truly do make an impact on moms’ lives. We appreciate your help.”
“Hannah works part-time for the Vancouver School Board as a supervisor during recess and lunch hour. At the beginning of the pandemic, there was no work as schools closed, and again in summer, there was no work. And fewer kids in school. Her kids stayed home in September, so she hasn’t been able to work in quite some time. The support from Mom2Mom has been invaluable. Grocery support is hugely important. She relies on it and plans around it.”
“Without Mom2Mom, I definitely wouldn’t be able to do as much as I do,” says Hannah. “I know that Mom2Mom is there for me and Tonya is there for me. My kids are super happy and thankful to know we have this support to rely on.”
Will you give generously to help kids like Hannah’s be kids again this summer?
Our goal is to raise $15,000
before June 29, 2021—the last day of school—to ensure that kids can go to camp, do activities like swimming and karate, and enjoy fun family outings.
Thanks to a generous champion who is going to triple the first $5,000 donated, your gift automatically triples to reach even more kids this summer.
Please give before June 29 to TRIPLE your impact!
*Names have been changed for privacy