A Breath of Hope:
From crisis to resilienceSince 1986, the Children's Cottage has provided families like Sarah's with the help they need to cope with and overcome their challenges, build on their strengths, keep their children safe, and turn adversity into possibility.
Imagine being on a turbulent flight. Your oxygen mask drops, and you hear: “Put on your own mask before helping others.” For Sarah, an Indigenous single mother of two young children, reaching for her mask meant calling the Children’s Cottage so she could help her family.
At 23, Sarah was overwhelmed. The sudden death of her husband left her and her children deeply traumatized and without support. Her toddler, Liam, exhibited signs of emotional distress and had regressed in his speech development, while her newborn, Ava, was colicky and cried endlessly through sleepless nights.
Grief compounded Sarah’s challenges, making daily tasks feel impossible. Financial strain and an eviction notice added to the weight she carried. Sarah felt like she was suffocating.
“The Children’s Cottage was my oxygen mask when I couldn’t breathe, helping me survive, and my family thrive.”
Sarah and her children received immediate, barrier-free support through the Children’s Cottage’s new Family Mental Wellness Hub. The effect was instant: Sarah experienced significantly less stress and felt less alone, as though an enormous weight had been lifted off of her shoulders.
The first sign of relief came from the Crisis Nursery, where Liam and Ava were safely cared for while Sarah was able to pause, rest, and talk to a Care Connector about the support she needed. With the help of the Cottage, Sarah accessed supports tailored to her needs, helping her process her grief and regain a sense of control over her life.
Next, Sarah accessed the HomeLinks program through the Children’s Cottage, and a caseworker helped her obtain subsidies and find more affordable housing for herself and her children. In their new home, Sarah could escape the stress of unpaid bills and feel secure that her family’s basic needs would be met.
While the immediate crisis was stabilized, Sarah required continued support. She began utilizing the Home Visitation program, where a worker provided weekly visits to guide her through parenting strategies tailored to Liam’s speech development and Ava’s colic. The worker also supported Sarah in addressing the emotional wounds left by grief and her fears about single parenting, helping her rebuild her resilience as a mother.
Sarah is 1 of 1,541 parents who accessed mental health support from Children’s Cottage in 2024.
Through the Indigenous-specific services provided by the Children’s Cottage, Sarah discovered strength in her heritage, participated in traditional ceremonies, and gained healing tools for her trauma, enabling her to reconnect with her culture.
Liam attended the Little Blossoms daycare at the Children’s Cottage, a specialized program for children with developmental delays. He received early intervention services, which prepared him to begin school at a level equal to his peers. Meanwhile, Ava benefited from in-home infant respite care that allowed Sarah a few hours each week to focus on herself.
Our Impact on The Families We Support
Sarah reported reduced stress after receiving help, as did 98% of families served by Children’s Cottage. In 2024, 100% of families were successfully diverted from emergency services to community supports are being supported by Children's Cottage Society
