Single mom finds help at the Mustard Seed

It was around Christmas two years ago when she hit rock bottom and went to look for help.

“I was struggling emotionally and financially and didn’t know what to do. So I walked into the Mustard Seed family centre and broke down crying,” said Lisa C., who didn’t want to give her last name. “For my pride.”

The Mustard Seed family centre works with parents one-on-one and through workshops to help them develop interpersonal, financial and work skills in a supportive environment.

The 48-year-old single mother of a son, 12, has worked to overcome anxiety and dyslexia her entire life, which made it hard to stay afloat financially.

“I’d work for a while, have to take time out and then start over from scratch,” she said, adding the longest she was able to hold a job was four years. That job involved working with dogs, which she loved. “I want to work with animals,” she said.

When her partner left and moved east, Lisa was left to provide for their son and pay off debts. She made about $800 a month on social assistance for the two of them, which was further stretched by their dietary needs. Both mom and son have celiac disease.

“There was so much pressure,” she said.

Walking into the Mustard Seed family centre was a decision that helped change her life, she said.

“I just needed to talk to someone … I’d been to food banks before, but this wasn’t just handing out food. They wanted to know you, know who you are,” Lisa said. “I was feeling like I didn’t want to live anymore.”

After one-on-one time with family resource co-ordinator Diane Pearson, Lisa signed up for a 15-week workshop (three hours a week) that covered money skills, first aid, learning styles and employment options, among other things.

“The workshops were great for social interaction. After that, I wanted to build confidence. I want that wall of anxiety to be solved,” she said.

Lisa enrolled at Bridges for Women, a non-profit organization that helps women who have experienced trauma enter the workforce. Now, she plans to work with Volunteer Victoria to gain some business skills and give back.

Pearson said Lisa has a strong motivation to learn and provide for herself and her son. “The stresses of living in poverty can be so isolating, which is why we try to build relationships with people and help them on that journey. There is a lot of love and a lot of power that comes in connecting with others.”

Lisa said she hopes to work again and dreams of one day taking her son to Disneyland.

“I know in my heart when I get working, I will help the Mustard Seed in whatever way I can,” she said, tearing up. “I want people to know if they’ve been where I’ve been, they can get help.”

In addition to its regular programs, the Mustard Seed helps hundreds of families and individuals each Christmas with holiday food hampers and home-cooked meals. This year, the Times Colonist will help support those efforts. You can help by donating to the Christmas Fund.

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