Last Wednesday, on a rainy evening, I was driving to the grocery store and saw a young woman pushing a stroller. I could tell something was wrong. She was crying and distressed with her little girl and I just knew she needed a hug. That’s when I met Carla. After sitting and talking for a while I realized that this is someone I need to help and support. She’s 28 and originally from Mexico City. (Not the nice part we’ve seen on vacation) but a part that almost took her son away from her. In order to keep her family safe she moved here to Canada and is of refugee status. She has a 6 month old daughter Samantha and 4 year old son Iker.

You can imagine how difficult being in a new country is on its own but with young kids and little to no means to make money as most jobs don’t allow you to bring two children. And without a job you can’t pay for childcare. A vicious cycle that many of us don’t have to think about, but can understand how challenging it would be. On top of this she told me she’s facing massive lawyer bills in order to get her PR and avoid risk of deportation. She’s also battling post partum on top of all of this, which many of us ladies have experienced. When I was battling post partum I leaned on my family heavily, Carla does not have that luxury being without her mom and extended family. Simply put, she is struggling to provide enough food and clothing for her family. Being a mother, this situation broke my heart. In the short first meeting with her I saw a young, beautiful and kind woman who reminded me a lot of my own friends, and myself. Just struggling with being a new mom on-top of the financial and emotional load being a refugee status comes with. My goal is to be able to raise enough money for Carla and her children to take some of her lawyer fees off her shoulders so she isn’t so worried about getting her next meal on the table or having enough bus fair to get to and from the small jobs she can find. I am fortunate enough to have that support system including you, my friends and family. I’m hoping you will read this and as a mother, parent or just a person of compassion, spare what you can to make a significant change in someone’s everyday life. And for all my mommas out there we know how heavy the post partum struggle can be, I myself had terrible Postpartum anxiety and depression and I think it’s integral we step in and support women in this state any way we can. ❤️