Celebrating Our 2026 YWCA Scholarship Recipients

The room was filled with laughter, pride and heartfelt stories as we recently welcomed YWCA Scholarship recipients to our Program Centre for a special luncheon. 

The gathering was an opportunity to celebrate the hard work and dedication of single mothers who received a scholarship and are pursuing post-secondary education while balancing the many responsibilities of parenting alone. 

Each year, YWCA Scholarships provide financial assistance to mothers who are parenting alone and living on low incomes who are committed to furthering their education and building a brighter future for themselves and their families.

Since 2020, we have awarded nearly $600,000 to over 100 single moms. For many recipients, the scholarships represent more than financial support. They are a reminder that they are not navigating their journey alone. 

Throughout the luncheon, mothers shared powerful stories about the challenges they have overcome and the impact that YWCA programs have had on their lives. 

For Erica, the support she found through the YWCA Single Mothers’ Support Group helped her envision a future she once struggled to see. 

"The YWCA Single Mothers' Support Group changed my life in ways I could not have imagined when I first joined in 2017. At the time, my mental health was at one of its lowest points, and I was struggling to see a positive future for myself and my children. Through the support, encouragement and sense of community I found at the YWCA, I slowly began to rebuild my confidence and believe that a different future was possible.” 

With the help of YWCA scholarships and support, Erica returned to school and is now preparing to graduate from Simon Fraser University’s Professional Linking Program. Soon, she will begin her career as a high school teacher. 

Kelly shared how the YWCA Employment Navigator program helped her identify a new path forward during a period of uncertainty. 

“Being part of the Employment Navigator program was a life changer for me. I was connected to the YWCA at the time where I was trying to figure out my next steps. It was really insightful, really helpful, very encouraging, and it helped me figure out where I needed to go.” 

The Employment Navigator program helps mothers parenting alone access resources, training and educational opportunities at both the pre-employment and employment stages. The program empowers participants with the tools, knowledge and confidence needed to overcome barriers and work toward financial independence for themselves and their families. 

Through this program and our Study Readiness workshops, Kelly discovered that returning to school was the right next step for her family. 

“Now I’m not only enjoying the journey, but I’m looking forward to where it leads us, me and my family in the future.” 

For Crystal, receiving a scholarship provided practical support during a demanding season of balancing caregiving and education. 

“As a single mom, the burden of juggling schoolwork, caregiving is not easy, but receiving this scholarship has truly eased the burden of carrying the weight of trying to juggle and multitask. Thank you for allowing me to take the first step towards my dreams.” 

 Juliet, a newcomer to Canada and mother of three, spoke about how the scholarship has helped create opportunities and stability for her family. 

“As a newcomer in Canada, and as a single mom of three... it has been so good to me to have this scholarship and financial freedom... it has given us freedom. I'm studying to be someone important in the future, there to support myself and my children. I'm so happy."

Stories like these remind us why wraparound support is so important. Education can be a powerful pathway to economic independence, but many mothers parenting alone face barriers that make returning to school challenging. 

At YWCA BC, we offer a range of programs designed to help single mothers access the support, information and community they need to move forward with confidence. 

YWCA Single Mothers’ Support Services provides free individual and group support, connections to community resources and practical assistance tailored to each mother's unique circumstances. Family Resource Workers support single mothers across Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley with employment and education resources, parenting support, legal and financial information and referrals, assistance completing documents and resources for women who have experienced abuse in a current or past relationship. The program also creates opportunities for mothers to connect with others who understand their experiences, build supportive relationships and access valuable information in a welcoming environment. 

As we celebrated this year’s scholarship recipients, one thing was clear: when mothers have access to meaningful support, opportunities and community, extraordinary things can happen. 

Congratulations to this year’s scholarship recipients, and a huge thank you to the generous donors and dedicated YWCA Scholarship selection committee members whose support helps make these educational journeys possible. 

To learn more about YWCA BC’s programs and services for single mothers, visit the program page.