Her Wings Unfolded...

I am not sure where to begin. Everything still seems surreal to me.

The last time I recall was when I was struggling to make ends meet. In addition to being a single mother with a six-year-old son, I had experienced domestic violence and did not have any relatives or friends whom I could turn to for assistance. Furthermore, I was also a new immigrant who was unfamiliar with the resources available to us here.
Eventually, I met individuals who helped us overcome the difficulties of applying for food banks, income assistance, etc. In addition, I maintained close ties with the Filipino community in the Surrey area. It was at that time that I met Ms. Rosita Bernardo from WorkBC Centre Whalley. The first time I met her, I felt a sense of relief because she is a Filipina, and I felt at ease with her. Her trustworthiness and kindness made me think I could rely on her. She encouraged me to be strong and believed that I could turn my life around. Since the beginning, I have been guided with the opportunity to start over and change my life for the better. In addition, I’ve been provided with a great deal of assistance.
From resume writing and career development sessions to finding and attending school for free, from bus tickets to child care for my son, I had the opportunity to participate in these activities. It’s still overwhelming to me how much assistance and support I received from WorkBC Centre Whalley. As the saying goes, first impressions last! Ms. Rosita was not only kind and considerate, but she also made me feel as if I had a family in her. In cases where paperwork needed to be signed, but I could not go to the office for some reason, she would drop by our house and obtain my signature. Moreover, she gave us some delicious treats—a very thoughtful gesture.
Upon graduation from Cambria College's Social Services & Community Support Worker Program, I became employed. However, WorkBC's assistance did not end there. Ms. Rosita arranged for me to attend Dress for Success, where they provided me with clothing and bags for job hunting and again when I landed a job. Nevertheless, she did not forget about us. She would call to check on us, especially my son. My sincere thanks goes to WorkBC and Ms. Rosita for their help and, most notably, for believing in me. This experience will remain with me for the rest of my life. (name withheld for privacy)