As we celebrate International Women's Day, we recognize the challenges women face and the incredible resilience they demonstrate. Women make up 50% of Canada's population, yet they are disproportionately affected by precarious housing, employment, and financial instability.
According to homelesshub.ca, women-led single-parent households face significant challenges. In Canada, 28% of women-headed families are in core housing need, meaning they live in unsuitable accommodations or struggle with unaffordable rent. As a result, at least 36% of these women have experienced homelessness at some point in their lives.
In response to these challenges, the power of community creates positive change, as seen through the efforts of women like Amy. Among the many women building stronger communities within VIDA, Amy’s inspiring journey stands out. A dedicated team Captain and Building Ambassador (BA), Amy is a driving force for positive change in Oromocto, New Brunswick.
Nine years ago, Amy left an abusive long-term relationship, seeking safety and stability for her two children. Determined to create a new life, she moved to Oromocto, a town with a strong military presence, much like her upbringing in Ontario. Rebuilding wasn't easy. As a single mother, she often put her children's well-being ahead of her own. But Amy was determined not to be another statistic within the horrors of domestic violence, where according to Canada.ca, 73% of victims of intimate partner homicide between 2019 and 2023 were women.
However, breaking the cycle of abuse and rebuilding one's life brings additional challenges, which are disproportionately weighted by the impact of precarious employment, comprising 60% of the temporary, part-time, and low-wage workforce. According to Statistics Canada, 10% of women live on a low income, with even more significant challenges faced by racialized women, women with disabilities, and single mothers – factors that make Amy’s journey even more remarkable.
Amy is one of many women who continue to rebuild their lives through the skill-building, new experiences, and the sense of community that VIDA offers. Her journey took a positive turn when she began engaging with her community. Adding to her early-morning job at Tim Hortons, Amy became a VIDA Building Ambassador.
In this role, she not only supported her neighbours but also rediscovered her voice, confidence, and sense of purpose along the way.
"... getting involved helped me break out of my bubble. Now, I see the power of community, often simply by taking the time to listen and help." - Amy
"Before I became a BA, I didn't talk to anybody," Amy recalls. "But getting involved helped me break out of my bubble. Now, I see the power of community, often simply by taking the time to listen and help."
Her role within VIDA became more than just a secondary job; it became a mission to uplift those around her. When a Canadian military veteran struggling with PTSD asked for help maintaining his apartment, Amy stepped in with grace.
"He really needed somebody there to support him," she says. "Rather than someone talking down to him, he needed compassion. I'd check on him, and that simple interaction helped him stay on track with keeping his apartment clean and organized."
Amy's story is a testament to the strength of women who rise above adversity. It also highlights the transformative power of community engagement, particularly in areas like housing and affordability, which VIDA continues to revolutionize across Canada.
As we reflect on International Women's Day, let's advocate for policies and initiatives that support women like Amy, ensuring they not only have the courage to start over, but also the resources to succeed. When women are empowered, communities flourish.
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