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I know a young lady who thru no fault of her own, finds herself alone with 4 kids under the age of ten. She is not in mb housing or abusing the system in anyway. She is trying to make it on her own. She is surviving solely on her child tax benefit and has little family resources available. What advice would you give her to access resources. What would 7th st access or Elisabeth Reid be able to help with? You can pm if you prefer. She is legit so no nasty comments please.

pinkflamingos said "Tbh I think this is what 'the system' is for, not sure why you think she'd be abusing it if she took advantage of government assistance that's literally set aside for people in her situation. Unless there's some reason that she can't. "

I agree  
 
she should apply for housing or other assistance she qualifies for, she should also use the food banks ect  
 
then she should look for programs for schooling and daycare (she may have to do it very slowly or wait until her youngest goes to school) but she should be looking at a plan so when she is able she can move up and let another in need use the benefits, that is why they are there and as long as her life goal isnt to stay on them and teach her kids to stay on them ect then I fully support her using the help that is there  
 
dont be to prideful to accept help  
 
thats the advice id give her  
 
Edited by traveller, 2018-04-19 17:31:32

Situations like this are exactly what "the system" is for... to extend a helping hand to people who need it in order to get back on their feet. Explore options and resources and use them for their intended purpose. My advice? Chin up Mama.. all your babies truly need beyond basic necessities is you!

I am a single mother of four and found myself in that situation while all of mine were aged 2-8. If she wants to talk she can PM me on here and we can chat. I can share what I have done, what resources, what works, and where I have ended up 7 years later..

Go down to the food bank on pacific any day between 10-11 or 1-3 I believe and talk to the ladies at the desk. Bring your manitoba health card. They’ll help in any way they can.  
I believe a food hamper every second week, and there are also hygiene/cleaning supplies you can get. As well as in the front they sometimes have food you can take whenever.

Using the system is not abusing the system. Canadians chip in towards it when we can so that we can have that "safety net" if and when we ever need it. Tell her to utilize it. For the sake of her children. if she's spending all her money on rent and utilities so that she can't afford healthy food or extracurriculuar activities for her children, then she is failing them. Sometimes people need to accept help!

comments and advice is good. In addition to taking the advice as outlined above she should go and talk to legal aid in regards to getting a court order for the father of the children to pay child support. Once legal aid has obtained a maintenance order they will register same with the maintenance enforcement office who has some interesting and unique ways of enforcing same.

All the options provided are awesome. Just a thought, If this young mother is apart of a church they might be able to support as well.

What about applying for legal aid and child support?

Check out rent assist hopefully that might help food bank if you have got a baby yet and you need formula go to cfs they have that if need there is also a rent shelter good luck

Check out rent assist hopefully that might help food bank if you have got a baby yet and you need formula go to cfs they have that if need there is also a rent shelter good luck