Beatrice & Brian's Story

It was a long journey for Beatrice to arrive in Canada. In 2013, she was displaced from her home country of Rwanda. Over the next ten years, she would move to Ethiopia, then Kenya, and in the midst of it all, she gave birth to her son, Brian. 

In February of 2023, Beatrice and her then 6-year-old son finally moved to Canada. She chose to settle in Ottawa because she knew a friend who lived here. Her friend offered them a room to stay temporarily, but with limited space for two families, it wasn’t a long-term solution. 

After a few weeks in Canada, Beatrice reached out to social services. They guided her to connect with the Y Transitional Family Housing program at the Shenkman Residence. 

Beatrice didn’t know what to expect after years of fending for herself. She was surprised by the warmth and support she felt from Y staff from the moment they arrived with transportation. “It gave me peace. It gave me hope that there are people with heart.” 

Brian and I belong to the Y family … We experienced love there from our first day, right until our last.

Beatrice

Once she was settled, Beatrice began meeting with Irene, an Employment Consultant at the Y Employment Access Centre. Irene assisted her in getting connected to the Y’s hospitality and tourism skills training program. She also showed Beatrice how to write and format a resume and helped her land her current job. 

As Y residents, Beatrice and Brian were welcome to use the fitness facilities. Brian enjoyed playing in the Kids Zone, and with access to the pool and swimming lessons, they both learned how to swim! 

In March of 2024, Beatrice and Brian moved into an apartment of their own through a subsidized housing program. Beatrice is happy to have this new, bigger space with a playground nearby. Despite having his own bedroom now, Brian still asks to visit the Y to say hello to the staff. 

Through all of her experiences at the Y, Beatrice feels that she has become a new person. “Now I am okay, and I have self-confidence. I feel I have a right to speak. I feel I have a right to express.”