Support Sara's Journey to Financial Stability

Hi!, I'm Sara, a single mother of four incredible kids. At the end of 2016, I made the courageous decision to leave an abusive marriage with nothing to my name. For six months, we faced the reality of homelessness, but with resilience and support, we secured housing and began rebuilding our lives. However, the pandemic and the constantly rising living costs have pushed us further and further into financial hardship.

Currently, our main source of income is ODSP (Ontario Disability Support Program), which provides us with just under $1600 per month, which is to cover everything, including rent. To put this in perspective, the average price for a 1-bedroom apartment in Ottawa as of September 2023 is $1905.

I do not get child or spousal support, have no outside help, and even on ODSP have to pay out of pocket for things. Just this month (back to school month too!) I have already paid $400 on medications and therapy not covered by our Universal Healthcare system. That's $400 of bills not being paid and food we don't get to eat.

In addition to being a single parent, I am Neurodivergent (Autistic, ADHD), HIV+, and healing from C-PTSD. I'm also dealing with a range of other health issues, including carpal tunnel syndrome, daily ocular migraines, severe degenerative disc disease, and an emergency gallbladder removal this summer. These challenges have made it impossible for me to work a regular job outside the home, putting my family in a tough spot.

I do run a small Etsy shop (www.whimandfancyshop.etsy.com) to provide me with a creative outlet and a modest income stream, but it's barely breaking even. I aspire to expand it, but at the moment, I lack the energy, executive function, and capital to do so.

Earlier this year, I had to make the tough decision to place my car in long-term parking until I could afford to repair it. Little did I know that 8 months later, it would still be unusable.

Not having a reliable vehicle has become a significant obstacle. With my children attending four different schools/programs across the city and having an average of 3-6 mental health or medical appointments each week, the public transit system in Ottawa is far from ideal. What used to take an hour and 15 minutes by car now takes us 5+ hours each time. This not only strains us financially but also consumes precious time, making every trip a challenging ordeal. Not having our car also means we aren't participating in our community (after-school activities, socializing, volunteer work), and are paying premium prices to have groceries delivered via Instacart. One of the worst parts, for me, is needing to rely on my ex-husband for help transporting the children, something that invites further abuse and manipulation.

Our immediate needs are multifaceted:

1. Groceries and Household Supplies: Ensuring we have enough safe foods to feed my family is a top priority. Due to my history, food insecurity is a huge trigger for me and plays a huge part in my day-to-day mental health.

2. Gender-Affirming Support: Providing gender-affirming clothing and supplies for my two transgender teens is crucial. Supporting their gender identity is of utmost importance to me, given the statistics for mental health in the Trans community.

3. Car: Addressing the urgent need to get our car up and running again is essential to regain our mobility and independence.

4. Everything Else: Funds will also help us catch up on past-due bills and address overdue vet visits for our two cats.

Our ultimate goal is to achieve self-sufficiency and reduce the chronic financial stress affecting my children. I'm actively working on my mental and physical health, and we're striving for a brighter, more stable future.

My biggest dream is to be self-sufficient enough to open my home to foster/adopt youth who would otherwise age out of care. As a former Crown Ward, I understand the need for parents, family, and community support beyond the age of 18.

Given my past work experience and training in child care, birth work, and education, I'm eager to explore job opportunities that align with my abilities and passions. If you have any suggestions or job leads, please don't hesitate to reach out. Your support can help me take steps toward financial independence.

By contributing to our campaign, you're not only helping us meet immediate needs but also enabling us to work toward long-term financial stability, inclusivity, and well-being. Your kindness and generosity will make a lasting difference for my family and help us create a more inclusive and accepting world. I firmly believe in the power of community and mutual aid, and I look forward to being in a position to help others again.

From the bottom of our hearts, we want to express our deepest gratitude for considering our cause. Your support will not only alleviate our immediate needs but also restore hope and happiness to our family. Together, we can break free from our current challenges and build a brighter future.

Thank you for being a part of our journey.