Community centre supporting relocated family

I am 45 years old, a single mother of three beautiful children. Life has not been easy for us, especially with my limited English skills. I remember the first few months in this new country. My children were trying to adjust to their new schools while I juggled multiple cleaning jobs to make ends meet. The language barrier was a constant source of frustration and isolation. Simple tasks, like helping my children with their homework or communicating with their teachers, became mountains I couldn’t climb. I felt helpless and alone, fearing I would never be able to provide the support my children needed.

Every day felt like a struggle, but one day, as I was walking home from work, a beacon of hope appeared in our lives: I saw a leaflet about Ileys Community Centre, and that they were offering support for families like mine. I felt a spark of hope and decided to visit. The first time I walked through the doors, I was nervous and scared, but I knew I had to try for my children. From the moment I entered, I was greeted with warmth and understanding. The staff members, volunteers, and other families welcomed me with open arms. It was as if they could all see the weight of the world on my shoulders and were ready to help lift it. They all spoke slowly and kindly, making sure I understood everything, and for the first time in a long while, I felt like I belonged somewhere.

They helped me enrol on their ESOL classes and my teacher was incredibly patient. He encouraged me, celebrated my small victories, and never made me feel embarrassed about my mistakes. With each class, my confidence grew. I could now help my children with their homework and even started to understand conversations at work better. For my children, this centre has become a second home. They attend after-school programs where they receive tutoring and participate in various activities. The tutors make learning fun and engaging. My children are beginning to thrive academically and socially. They have made friends, built confidence, and have even started teaching me new things they learn.

Financially, the centre provides us with much-needed advice and support. I really benefit from their workshops on budgeting, saving, and managing finances better. They also connected me with job training programs, where I learned new skills that helped me secure a better-paying job. The feeling of being able to provide more comfortably for my children is indescribable. Perhaps the most significant impact of this centre is the sense of belonging it gives us. We are no longer alone. We attend family nights, cultural celebrations, and community events.