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Here are the words of Christine Richardson, co-director of Jeunesse Loyola, which works with N.D.G. youth living in poverty.
“I have come to know these families well over the course of the year and I can tell you that these gifts mean the world to them,” she wrote. “Many of these families have been particularly hard hit over the last several months and this gives them a bit of space to breathe and brings some joy over the holidays.”
Of course, that would not have been possible without your help.
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Louisa and her family moved to Montreal from Venezuela two years ago, settling in the St-Michel neighbourhood. Outside of the cold, Louisa says she, her husband and their three kids enjoy living here. Both parents are working right now and Louisa says they’re fortunate to be in that position, although back home both worked in information technology and would like to do that here.
So far, with money concerns, paying bills and raising their kids, they haven’t been able to put the process in motion of going back to school and getting their equivalency diplomas. They’re both working entry level jobs she as an office worker and he in food production but they would love to advance their careers. It would mean greater stability financially, and help them provide a better life for their kids.
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So you’ve had a rough year. We all have.
No doubt about it, things have been tough for just about everyone in 2020, between the social isolation, the fear for our health, the long list of government restrictions and the cancellation of favourite activities. Our usual Christmas plans are off, thanks to COVID-19. Gatherings are not permitted, under penalty of steep fines. There’s a lot to be grouchy about for sure this holiday season.
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Manon was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis more than a decade ago. She knew the odds of her still being around today were long.
“The doctors said I was probably going to be in a wheelchair in a year,” Manon recalled. And the first few years following the diagnosis were up and down. She said she felt like her body was giving up.
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Today, Manon said, her life is a little like Groundhog Day. She can’t work, so she’s been on disability. But she also knows her life could be a lot worse. Miraculously, she’s still able to walk, and she credits her 12-year-old dog Kippy with keeping her moving. She walks Kippy multiple times a day, and doctors have told her those walks are probably what’s keeping her body from fully breaking down.
Mélanie is pregnant with her third child, due in the spring.
Author of the article: Erik Leijon • Special to Montreal Gazette
Publishing date: Dec 21, 2020 • December 21, 2020 • 2 minute read •
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Mélanie is pregnant with her third child, due in the spring. She hasn’t had a chance to explain the birds and the bees to her young children, ages four and two, but she thinks they’ll be happy to have a new brother or sister in the house when the time comes.
As much as she loves being a mother and is excited about the impending arrival, the timing of the pregnancy wasn’t exactly ideal. She lost her job in the spring due to COVID-19, and worries about catching the virus while expecting have kept her from jumping back into the job market.