A brand new life

Anna was eight months pregnant and homeless. She faced two challenges - bringing a new life into the world and creating a new life of stability and independence. But she needed help.

She had arrived in Canada from the Caribbean five years ago, fleeing a troubled family situation that had included years of serious abuse by her father. Although she didn't have legal immigration status, she had nevertheless been able to find work and support herself. She had managed quite well until she became pregnant and began to have health problems.

Then everything fell apart for her and she ended up homeless. She had no family in Canada and no friends able to help her.

Fortunately for Anna, she met Irene, a public health nurse who does outreach with pregnant homeless women who are living either in shelters or on the street. Irene referred Anna to the High Risk Program for Homeless Pregnant and Parenting Women operated by Robertson House, a City of Toronto shelter that provides short-term accommodation for homeless women and children.

"I was assigned to be her counsellor when she arrived," says Joanne Orliffe of Robertson House. "The baby's father had been long gone from the picture. Her goals for her stay here were to have a healthy pregnancy and baby, to work on obtaining legal immigration status, and to find housing."

Located in a historic building in downtown Toronto, Robertson House is a spacious facility, brightly decorated and highly stimulating for the young children. The staff members at Robertson House act as role models and provide ongoing parent education and support to the moms who are living in the shelter. The centre is sensitive to the cultural diversity found in the clients and families it serves and is always working to overcome language barriers. Pregnant women are also welcome to come into the program as one step in preparing for the birth of their child.

Joanne referred Anna to the medical services she needed, such as Kensington Midwives and St. Michaels' Hospital, to help manage her pregnancy. Because of her size, Anna was at high risk for gestational diabetes. It was important for her health and that of the baby that she had close monitoring of her diet and activity level. Fortunately she was very cooperative and with everyone's support, worked hard to keep healthy.

"The baby girl was born without complications, a good weight, very alert, healthy and smiling," says Joanne. "When she returned, she showed me that she was an insightful and loving parent with her newborn."

Because of this good emotional attachment between mom and baby, Anna was not referred to Children's Aid for support. But she still had some significant challenges to overcome.

Since Anna had no resources or advice, she had represented herself at her Refugee Hearing. This bid for refugee status failed and when she came to Robertson House she was a risk of being deported. Consequently, she was also not eligible for Ontario Works.

Joanne referred Anna to a lawyer with expertise in this area. After much hard work, Anna was designated as being at the "Pre-Risk Assessment" stage of the process. This meant that she would not be immediately deported and was now eligible for Ontario Works. The lawyer continues to work with Anna to make a Humanitarian and Compassionate Grounds claim that has a good chance of success.

After her baby was settled and the staff had determined she could receive Ontario Works, Anna went on a housing search and quickly found a reasonably priced apartment which had a bonus attached: the landlord provided three months of transit passes for signing a lease.

During Anna's five month stay at Robertson House, she made friends with some of the other residents and joined the "Literacy for Life Program." She so enjoyed that program that she still returns to Robertson House for this group.

In fact, Anna returns to Robertson House weekly to attend the literacy program, have her baby weighed and to talk with Joanne about her dreams for the future.

"She is very determined not to stay on Ontario Works," says Joanne. "Her plans for the future are to provide a secure life for her child, to work on having a successful Humanitarian and Compassionate Grounds claim, and to find work. She is very bright and conscientious and I have no doubt that in time she will accomplish all her new goals."

Anna's story, and the stories of many more mothers who come to Robertson House, is about new life, about bringing a healthy baby into the world and building a successful future for both mother and child.