From Survival to Sustainability: Kelly's Journey with YWCA Employment Navigator
When she first connected with the YWCA Employment Navigator Program, Kelly was uncertain about her future and struggling to see beyond putting one foot in front of the next. Today, she is excited to be studying environmental geography at Langara College, preparing for further education at university and working toward a career focused on sustainability, affordable communities and greener cities.
Her journey began several years earlier, following the end of a difficult relationship that had brought her to Canada from England. As a single mother with two young children, then just two and five years old, she did whatever she could to keep her family afloat. She worked two jobs, often moving directly from one shift to the next.
“I was literally changing in my car and eating my food in between,” she recalls. “Most days I wasn’t finished until around midnight.”
Choosing to prioritize time with her children during their early years, Kelly worked “survival” jobs despite having extensive professional experience before becoming a parent. Having managed teams of her own, she was now working in the service industry, taking on shift work to manage her time around her kids’ schedules. Eventually, one of her jobs became full-time, offering a hybrid schedule that worked well for her family. But when the company was sold in 2023, she was laid off.
Losing the job was a major setback, leaving her uncertain about how she would support her family while finding work that fit their needs. Suddenly she found herself searching for work in a job market where many of the flexible, remote positions that had supported her family were no longer available. “I was looking at all these jobs and nothing seemed to fit with my children, my schedule, or our reality.”
Throughout this period, a friend repeatedly encouraged her to connect with the YWCA. That friend had benefited from the YWCA Single Mothers’ Support Services herself and believed it could help.
“At first I kept saying, ‘I’m okay. I’m managing.’ But after a while I realized I was completely burned out.” Finally, she registered for the YWCA Employment Navigator Program. That decision changed everything.
Finding a New Path
Kelly immersed herself in the Employment Navigator Program, a service that helps mothers parenting alone access resources and education at the pre-employment and employment stages. She attended workshops, updated her résumé, participated in Sister Circle Café sessions - where participants spoke about self-care and healthy coping techniques - and explored career pathways she had never considered before.
“The keyword is navigator,” Kelly explained. “I did all the workshops because I wanted to figure out where I was at, what might work for me and what options were actually open.” What stood out most was the program’s supportive and judgment-free environment.
“When you’re in that situation, you’re already putting enough pressure on yourself. The YWCA gave me space to just pause, decompress and realize there were options.”
One workshop had a profound impact: the Study Readiness workshop. Going back to school had always been in the back of her mind, but she struggled to imagine how it could work financially or logistically as a single parent. During the workshop, representatives from colleges and universities explained available financial supports, including bursaries, scholarships and student aid programs.
“Once I had all that information, I realized it was completely doable,” Kelly shared. “At that point, the only obstacle was me.”
Encouraged by what she learned and inspired by the stories of other women in the program, she applied to Langara College and was accepted. She also successfully applied for a YWCA scholarship to support her tuition.
“Listening to other women who had gone back to school, changed careers and achieved their goals took away so many of the barriers I had mentally created for myself.”
Today, she is pursuing an associate degree in geography with a strong focus on environmental studies. She hopes to transfer to UBC or SFU and eventually complete a degree in environmental sustainability.
Her passion stems from a lifelong appreciation for community, nature and the importance of accessible public spaces. Growing up in a small village in England, she spent much of her childhood outdoors, surrounded by green spaces. After moving to Canada more than 15 years ago, she began noticing how difficult it can be for urban families to access affordable housing, strong community connections and natural environments.
“I love cities,” she said. “I love the resources, the diversity and everything they offer. But I think we can build cities that are greener, more sustainable, more affordable and more connected.”
She is particularly interested in how urban planning, green spaces, housing affordability and environmental sustainability intersect. “I want to work on changing systems,” she explains. “I want to help create communities where people can afford to live, where children have safe spaces to play and where people actually know their neighbours.”
Looking back, Kelly describes the Employment Navigator Program as an important turning point. “I felt like I was treading water, waiting for someone to throw me a life preserver,” she said.
For women who are feeling stuck, unsure or overwhelmed, her advice is simple: “Just register. If you don’t know what you want to do, that’s exactly why you should join. You hear different perspectives, learn about opportunities, connect with other women and begin figuring out what direction feels right for you.”
Photo in story provided by Kelly
Inspired by this story? YWCA Employment Navigator is one of several employment programs offered by YWCA BC. Make a donation today to help more people access life-changing opportunities.
