Victoria’s Read

During Poverty Awareness Week in February 2009, The North Bay Parent Advisory Committee will team up with the meal exchange program to put on a dramatic presentation which will aim to raise awareness about local poverty.  In this coffee-house style presentation, called Portraits of Hunger, some P.A.C. members will share their personal stories of their struggles as parents with low incomes. 

Mia’s Story
Throughout my life, I have always felt alone, but I think that the one time when it hit me the hardest was after I moved to a small one-bedroom apartment with my one-month old son. In what seemed to be just my luck, I landed a new job and found out that I was pregnant. It felt like I was on a high because things were going great, but all of that was slowly going to crash and burn around me. Before long, it was the end of October and my due date was in two days. I was looking for an affordable place to live for myself and my expected son. I finally thought that I had found a potential place, made arrangements to meet the landlord, and he didn’t show up. As a last resort, I began to call different shelters to see if one would let me stay there. A few hours and a twenty dollar taxi ride later, I ended up at the Ojibway Family Resource Centre where I stayed for the night. The following night, I went into labour and had my son – 5:10 a.m. on his due date!  Before I could leave the hospital, I had to talk with the Children’s Service Worker because I was staying in a shelter. This put pressure on me to find another place to live as soon as possible.
I then moved to a bug–infested, poorly ventilated apartment which gave my son rashes and respiratory ailments. In the wintertime, ice covered my living room window. There was rust in the bathroom water due to old pipes and countless other repairs to be done. It was a sad reality, but it was the only place I could afford. Now, I am happy to say, that things are looking a little better for me. I have been living in low-income housing for a year (that’s two years after I signed up!), and my son is now healthier and happier than ever. I have gained confidence and lasting friendships through my work with the P.A.C. – and best of all, I no longer feel alone.   

If you can relate to Mia, we want to hear from you. Offer your perspective and help raise awareness about local poverty. For more information about Portraits of Hunger, please call or email Pamela Moore at 845-6715 or mentor@nipissingu.ca