The YWCA Metro Vancouver is expanding its Single Mothers’ Support Services program to Aldergrove and four other communities, thanks to a $450,000 investment from three B.C. credit unions.
The YWCA’s Single Mothers’ Support Program works to ensure women parenting alone are able to achieve personal and economic independence.
The funding from Coast Capital Savings, Vancity and Envision Financial will allow support groups to be established in Surrey, Port Coquitlam, Aldergrove, Maple Ridge and Abbotsford.
Previously, single mothers had to travel into Vancouver to take advantage of the service.
Aldergrove currently has a wide range of services for families but no programs specifically designed for single mothers.
The YWCA’s Single Mothers’ Support Services expansion initiative will help single mothers gain the confidence, knowledge and tools to seek employment, go back to school, or find safe, affordable housing and child care.
A support group is now available at Aldergrove Neighbourhood Services.
The YWCA program expansion is the vision of three female credit union CEOs — Coast Capital’s Tracy Redies, Vancity’s Tamara Vrooman, and First West’s Launi Skinner — who decided to pool resources to ensure services are available to more single mothers in Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley.
“I am inspired by the generosity of the three credit unions and the exceptional women who lead them,” said Janet Austin, CEO of YWCA Metro Vancouver.
“They show us the true meaning of cooperation and they demonstrate that it is possible for competitors to collaborate to drive positive social change.
“With their support, the YWCA can create the conditions for many single mothers to build better futures for themselves and their children.”
