The Resilience of One Mother
Marcela, her husband, and their young son Mateo arrived at Journey Home in December 2022 seeking assistance. At the time, Mateo was significantly behind in his development. Despite their months and months of challenges, the family hoped for a better future.
However, their situation took a turn for the worse in February 2023, when a family dispute arose. Marcela and Mateo moved into a shelter, which meant they had to leave our Welcome Homes. During her time there, Marcela faced numerous challenges daily. She didn’t have the support or resources to help manage Mateo’s behaviors, so to avoid potential conflicts and issues between him and the other children in the shelter, they would leave early in the morning and return in the evening. This lack of routine in an unmanageable living condition was difficult for both mother and son.
After a few weeks in the first shelter, they were moved to another transitional home. To make matters worse, there were concerns that Marcela and Mateo might end up separated. In March, a ray of hope emerged as Marcela and Mateo returned to our Welcome Homes program. Initially, when they were moved to the shelter, a social worker promised respite care, counseling, and other forms of support. However, none of these promises materialized. It eventually fell upon our settlement team, which included Karin, one of our Settlement Case Workers, Roberto, our Settlement Supervisor, and John, our volunteer.
Marcela and Mateo are community members who required additional care. This happens on occasion. Most families we work with receive practical support such as assistance in finding permanent housing and connecting with resources. Relationships are developed as they join in community. Marcela and Mateo required more intentional relational support. Marcela, was alone caring for a child with special needs while also going through all the necessary steps to settle here in Canada. This made it difficult for her to tend to essential tasks such as visiting the food bank or going to a doctor. She couldn’t leave Mateo in the care of others and bringing him along was very disruptive.
Our team takes a holistic care approach. Karin takes extra care to check in on Marcela and Mateo regularly, recognizing their specific needs. She spends time talking, praying, and providing hugs to Marcela. Through their interactions, Marcela learned how to establish routines and better manage Mateo’s needs and behaviors. Our team has also assisted with setting up appointments and arranging visits to pediatricians. Eventually, Mateo received a formal diagnosis of autism, allowing the family to better understand his needs and find support.
Since leaving their home country, the family had been constantly on the move, staying in shelters, transitional homes, and even churches. The lack of stability added to Mateo’s challenges.
Returning to our program proved to be a crucial turning point in their journey. It has provided Marcela and Mateo with the routine, the stability, and the peace they desperately needed. As Mateo’s tantrums have become less intense, Marcela has even been able to take Mateo on outings to the pool and the beach.
At first, when they exited our Welcome Homes, Karin felt as though she had abandoned Marecla and Matteo. Uncertain if she was allowed to reach out, she believed that their social worker would offer the necessary support. She eventually reached out to Marcela, leading to tears of joy on the other end of the line. Marcela expressed her gratitude, proclaiming that Journey Home Community was her family.
Through our team’s unwavering support, combined with Marcela’s resilience and determination, this family has transitioned from a dire situation to one filled with hope. Through routine, stability, and a compassionate community, Marcela and Mateo found solace, support, and a renewed sense of possibility for their future
Committed to welcoming newly arriving refugee claimants, Journey Home Community’s Settlement Team works closely with the families and individuals using a case-management model. We provide short-term transitional housing, initial settlement support, and assistance to secure and move to more permanent housing. This prevents experiences of homelessness while providing the initial building blocks that equip newcomer families as they journey toward settling in Metro Vancouver.
“She eventually reached out to Marcela, leading to tears of joy on the other end of the line. Marcela expressed her gratitude, proclaiming that Journey Home Community was her family.”
