The gift of a new start – Maria’s story
This gift brought some peace back into our lives.
When Maria made the brave decision to leave an abusive relationship, she found herself starting over in Halton as a single mother of four. She successfully got her and her kids out, but they were in a new home with little more than courage and hope. Without a financial safety net, the stress of starting from scratch was overwhelming.
Every day became a careful balancing act. The grocery aisle became a painful reminder of how expensive survival had become. She worried about mounting bills, but her biggest concern was her children. Their minds should have been focused on learning and playing, but Maria knew that hunger and insecurity follow kids into the classroom.
A compassionate HDSB teacher, noticing the silent struggle, quietly reached out to the Halton Learning Foundation on Maria’s behalf.
Through the HLF Eliminating Barriers Fund, assistance arrived at just the right time. The grocery card support meant Maria could finally fill her fridge and her children’s lunch bags without the constant fear of running short. This allowed her to divert precious funds toward essential utility payments.
Maria’s situation is exactly why the HLF Eliminating Barriers Fund exists: it steps in when families need support the most. This support was a lifeline for the children. Knowing they had healthy meals helped them focus on their lessons instead of their empty stomachs.
Maria shared her profound relief:
“This gift truly means so much. It went a long way in helping me provide for my children and lifted a huge weight off my shoulders.”
For the children, this support was the chance to show up at school feeling secure, ready to learn, and equal to their classmates. Every contribution to the Eliminating Barriers Fund ensures that another child gets the opportunity to focus on their future, rather than their empty stomach.
Your support makes stories like Maria’s possible.
Learn more about Eliminating Barriers with Halton Learning Foundation.
