A Journey from Darkness to Light Empowering Vulnerable Youth
By the time I was seven, I had become intimately aware of the chilling embrace of fear—a constant presence in a house rife with violence, child abuse and addictions. I am a survivor of a childhood gone terribly wrong.
For years I tried to be invisible, unseen and unheard, my actions carefully measured to avoid the wrath of my father and stepmother. I lived in fear of the sound of the back door closing, knowing by its aggressiveness whether I needed to find a hiding place. But he always found me; fear was a part of life. This was the reality of my upbringing—a harsh and unforgiving world that drove me to make the desperate decision to escape at the young age of sixteen.
As I wandered the streets of Winnipeg on a cold January night, I had no idea where I was going but knew that any place— even the streets and all of its unknowns—was safer than what I was running from. I became a runaway and quickly transformed into the consummate couch surfer, a part of the invisible homeless demographic that now plagues our society in untold numbers.
Yet, amidst this darkness, I still saw myself as one of the fortunate ones. I was given a new start in life at sixteen. With the unwavering support of my big brother, some dear friends and their families, I found the resilience to persevere. I held down multiple jobs, completed my education, and graduated with the determination to prove my worth. I knew I was better than what I had been led to believe. Unbeknownst to me, there was a community gathered around me that had lifted me up. It gave me more chances than I could have ever imagined and never stopped believing in me.
I believe there is a profound difference between being broken and being unbreakable. We are all broken and bare painful scars that run deep. The magic is in the hard work of finding that indomitable power within you to pick up those pieces and put yourself together
again, and with an unwavering determination to overcome the darkest of times.
My career was marked by both corporate and entrepreneurial success, and it took an unexpected turn when I met my future husband, John. Together, we shared a vision to give back to society, a conviction that changing even one child's life could shape a brighter future for all. In 1996, this shared belief blossomed into Safe Haven Foundation, a sanctuary of healing and hope for homeless and at-risk youth. Safe Haven became our way of giving back, a beacon of light guiding these vulnerable girls towards a brighter future.
Our founding program, Haven’s Way has become a beacon of light, illuminating the path for homeless and at-risk girls, breaking the vicious cycle of neglect, poverty, abuse and homelessness. It's a home where love, support, counseling, and education converge to heal wounds and nurture dreams.
We created a healthy family environment where these young girls can mend their shattered spirits, build their self-worth, and find the strength to thrive. On average, youth live at Haven’s Way for two and a half years. Since opening our doors in November 2000, as the first program of its kind in Canada, we have welcomed almost a hundred girls into Safe Haven's warm embrace.
And the most remarkable part? Not one has ever returned to the streets. This is a testament to the transformative power of love and support by an entire community, a lot of hard work by our team who walks hand in hand with our youth, and most importantly, the girls that we serve.
Our commitment to serve homeless and at-risk youth didn’t end with Haven’s Way. We adapted our program as the needs of the youth change. Our latest initiative, Haven’s Harbour is underway and will provide housing and support for youth while they learn to live independently while pursuing post-secondary education. We are committed to nurturing both the girls at Haven’s Way and the youth at Haven’s Harbour. An alumni program ensures our youth know they are part of something so much larger than themselves, creating a sense of belonging that we all so desperately need.
When I say I am unbreakable, it means despite the traumas and adversities I have faced, I have found strength to endure, heal and emerge stronger and more resilient.
My journey has taught me the significance of self-care and mindfulness, essential practices for survival and growth. While I have yet to master putting selfcare into practice on a daily basis, I remain committed to moving this needle towards daily regimes. In doing so, I have learned that forgiveness is part of this. Forgiveness frees oneself from the dark shadows as we let go of our own pain and embrace the path of healing with open hearts and open minds.
I am immensely grateful for the opportunity to share my story, for the chance to shed light on the resilience of our youth, and for the platform that allows their voices to be heard. With our community beside us we are creating a legacy of healing, one that empowers vulnerable girls to rewrite their narratives, embracing a future filled with limitless possibilities.