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	Help and a New Home in Canada Hello, my name is Farideh, I am a refugee from Iran and have been in Canada for 3 years. My husband was jailed for 7 years in Iran before we were able to escape the country with our 2 daughters. We lived in a Turkish refugee camp for 5 years when my husband's health began to fail... [Full Story] Hello, my name is Farideh, I am a refugee from Iran and have been in Canada for 3 years. My husband was jailed for 7 years in Iran before we were able to escape the country with our 2 daughters. We lived in a Turkish refugee camp for 5 years when my husband's health began to fail. When we finally arrived in Canada, his health continued to decline and sadly he passed away almost 2 years ago. At that time I could speak no English but had started at the YWCA classes. I was alone in a new country with 2 daughters in high school, struggling to live on Social Assistance, trying to understand the culture. It was a terrible time for all of us. I kept coming to class because they encouraged me to. My teacher and my classmates reached out to me. They helped me through my time of grief and became part of my family. They made me laugh when I thought I never would again. My daughters have done very well in school and are both working part-time jobs. I have also just started a part-time job in a kitchen and am determined to start my own business. The LINC classes have helped me more than I can say. I am part of my new country and part of my community. [Close Story]
	Education for Hope and Happiness Hello, my name is Martha, I could only go to school until I was 8 and then had to work. My childhood was very difficult and sad. It was hard for me to get a job when I was older because I couldn't read or write. I joined the Adult Education program at the YWCA and it changed my life. I am... [Full Story] Hello, my name is Martha, I could only go to school until I was 8 and then had to work. My childhood was very difficult and sad. It was hard for me to get a job when I was older because I couldn't read or write. I joined the Adult Education program at the YWCA and it changed my life. I am happier and have hope. I can read and write much better. My teacher never lets me forget that I am important. I am working on computers, reading books, and last year I voted for the first time. I even did a radio commercial for our program! [Close Story]
	Gentle Encouragement and New Beginnings Hello, my name is Susan. I came from an abusive home and am now a single mom with 2 children. I was angry with the world and had very low self-esteem. So when I came to the New Beginnings Program, I had few expectations. The facilitators at the YWCA gently encouraged me to work on all those barriers. I learned that I could help other people in the group. We became good friends and have stayed in touch after the group ended. I learned to set goals... [Full Story] Hello, my name is Susan. I came from an abusive home and am now a single mom with 2 children. I was angry with the world and had very low self-esteem. So when I came to the New Beginnings Program, I had few expectations. The facilitators at the YWCA gently encouraged me to work on all those barriers. I learned that I could help other people in the group. We became good friends and have stayed in touch after the group ended. I learned to set goals and work toward them. I decided that to support my family, I needed to go back to school. I did so much better than I ever thought I could. Then I got a job and just last month was promoted. New Beginnings has given me things that are too many to describe and too personal to explain. This program may have saved my life. [Close Story]
	YWCA Harmony House - Finding Time My name is Karen. I am 19 years old. I arrived at the YWCA-Harmony House after leaving an abusive home. I was kicked out of school for missing too much time. I had no time because I spent most of it caring for my younger sister. I had no time, no friends and low self-esteem. Since arriving at the YWCA Harmony House my life has changed immensely... [Full Story] My name is Karen. I am 19 years old. I arrived at the YWCA-Harmony House after leaving an abusive home. I was kicked out of school for missing too much time. I had no time because I spent most of it caring for my younger sister. I had no time, no friends and low self-esteem. Since arriving at the YWCA Harmony House my life has changed immensely. I now go to school regularly and I am looking for a job. I have new friends inside and outside Harmony House. I am setting goals and with the help of the Harmony House Coordinator and my peers, I am motivated to work towards them. Most of all I have time. Time for school. Time for my friends. Time for my little sister. And most of all time for me! [Close Story]
	A Safe Place to Grow My name is Catherine. Before I came to the YWCA my living conditions were poor. My landlord wouldn't fix the heat so I knew sooner or later I would have to move or I would freeze. Finally, when I couldn't stand living in the cold any longer I asked a police officer where a woman could go to find shelter. He pointed me in the direction of the YWCA. I decided to see if they could help. The staff there was kind and they gave me a room to stay in. It was nice to live somewhere that was warm and comfortable... [Full Story] My name is Catherine. Before I came to the YWCA my living conditions were poor. My landlord wouldn't fix the heat so I knew sooner or later I would have to move or I would freeze. Finally, when I couldn't stand living in the cold any longer I asked a police officer where a woman could go to find shelter. He pointed me in the direction of the YWCA. I decided to see if they could help. The staff there was kind and they gave me a room to stay in. It was nice to live somewhere that was warm and comfortable. When I moved into the YWCA I planned on staying for six months until I got back on my feet. That was five and a half years ago. Since then I have completed "New Beginnings" at the YWCA and have attended many of their workshops. I also decided to go to the Adult Learning Centre to complete my grade 12. With the help of a YWCA tutor I am now working on my last credit and will obtain my Grade 12 high school diploma in November of this year. My goal is to attend Fanshawe College after I receive my diploma. I have come a long way since I left my cold apartment over 5 years ago. I couldn't have come this far without the help of the YWCA St. Thomas-Elgin. [Close Story]
	Jesse Davidson - April 10, 1980 - November 6, 2009 In 1995, Jesse, with his father John pushing his wheelchair, travelled 3,300 kilometres across Ontario to raise research dollars to fight Duchenne muscular dystrophy. One million dollars was raised on the “Jesse's Journey” Ontario trek. In 1998, a further $2 million was contributed by Canadians from coast to coast when John walked over 8,000 kilometres across Canada “Jesse's Journey, a Father's Tribute.”... [Full Story] In 1995, Jesse, with his father John pushing his wheelchair, travelled 3,300 kilometres across Ontario to raise research dollars to fight Duchenne muscular dystrophy. One million dollars was raised on the “Jesse's Journey” Ontario trek. In 1998, a further $2 million was contributed by Canadians from coast to coast when John walked over 8,000 kilometres across Canada “Jesse's Journey, a Father's Tribute.” As a result, Jesse Davidson Laboratories have been established across North America for Duchenne muscular dystrophy research. The growing Jesse Davidson Endowment Fund has now generated more than $3 million towards genetic research. Sadly, Jesse Davidson lost his battle with Duchenne muscular dystrophy on November 6, 2009 at the age of 29, at London Health Sciences Centre. Hundreds of thousands of people across Canada and many areas of the world will mourn his loss, as he has become an icon for those who admire tenacity, bravery and the will to fight back. Jesse was a graduate and a Distinguished Alumni of Fanshawe College, who loved sports (especially hockey!), computers and cooking. He was always quick with a joke and a smile and he handled the attention he received by media and the public with grace and dignity. A remarkable life lived in service to others. Jesse’s journey continues and he lives on in the hearts of many. [Close Story]
	Enhancing Music for all Students at London Central Secondary The parents who make up the Golden Ghosts’ Music Parents Association believe that music creates a better learning environment for all students in high school. The GGMPA’s fund-raising efforts help to pay for the costs of enhancements to the music program not covered by their local board of education... [Full Story] The parents who make up the Golden Ghosts’ Music Parents Association believe that music creates a better learning environment for all students in high school. The GGMPA’s fund-raising efforts help to pay for the costs of enhancements to the music program not covered by their local board of education. When the Music Department needed a special case for storing and transporting percussion instruments, the GGMPA was able to purchase it for the students. To help ensure there are no barriers to students being able to travel across the city to participate in annual Kiwanis Music Festival competitions, the GGMPA covers the cost of school buses. It also helps produce and sell CDs every other year so students and their families can have musical mementoes of their performances and their high school friendships. [Close Story]

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