Single mother looking for silver linings

British Columbia-born Elisa insists Montreal is where she is meant to be. Quebec’s low post-secondary tuition fees motivated her to make the cross-country move before beginning her bachelor’s degree in environmental science. Her parents were from the city originally, so a network of extended family already here helped seal the deal. The latter factor has proved particularly important, as in the four years since her daughter was born, Elisa says her family has provided her with “quite a bit” of support when they can. “Now I really feel like Montreal is home,” she said. Despite their help, being a single mother has been exhausting. She says her daughter’s father completely cut contact with her about a week after she found out she was pregnant. Because he is not legally recognized as the father, she does not receive child support. To get by, Elisa works part time and relies on social assistance. Without extra support at home, she says she has trouble leaving her daughter, though the separation sometimes serves as an “emotional break.” To make the holiday season a little bit easier, Elisa will be receiving a $125 cheque from the Montreal Gazette Christmas fund. Every year, the fund helps thousands of Montrealers in need. Elisa said the money will go toward buying food and Christmas presents. Regardless of the challenges she’s faced throughout motherhood, Elisa explained that becoming a mother has allowed her to align her lifestyle more closely with her personal values. “I think being a parent caused a lot of positive change in me.” She says she’s been able to take concrete steps toward making caring for the planet a part of her daily life by reflecting on her diet, while also revisiting what it means to be a feminist — especially one who is raising a young girl. Within the next year, Elisa hopes to go back to school to move toward a career in horticulture. “I’m really passionate about gardening,” she said. “But I feel like I need a more in-depth training and a better understanding.” She’s worried about going back to school and leaving her daughter, but hopeful that it’ll be easier this time. She and her current boyfriend, whom her daughter sees as a father figure, are set to move in together. This, she hopes, means she’ll have more support at home, alleviating some of the pressure.