The ThunderBlogs

A group of single mothers shared their struggles with poverty and housing as new immigrants to Canada Friday at Rhizome, a local café at the intersection of Kingsway and Broadway that serves pay-what-you-can lentil soup.

The event was part of a project called Breakthrough, led by the Vancouver Status of Women, an organization that seeks to empower women who self-identify as low-income, of colour or of indigenous background in downtown Vancouver. The women who took part and spoke at this event wanted to let other single mothers struggling know there is support within the community.

The audience gathered around the small stage marked by a square rug and a microphone at the back of the café. Many who attended the event were visible minorities. Among them were Muslim women who wore traditional hijabs of different colours, cheerful children there to support their mothers – one child was dressed in a spiderman costume, as well as aboriginal women and men from the Haida and Cree nations.

“Motherhood is an act of defiance in the midst of chaos,” said Gabriela Reynosa, one of the women who participated in Breakthrough. “Women have to fight together to survive. It’s about how all the bad stuff can make us so much stronger.”

The women talked about how they struggled with language barriers, racism and poverty when they first arrived in Canada. Those who spoke felt liberated to be able to share their stories.

“I am grateful for this night, this is part of my healing,” said Rahat Chaudhry, who immigrated to Canada from Pakistan over ten years ago.

Despite having made progress since their arrival, the struggle continues. Downtown Vancouver has seen widespread gentrification and densification. Tall upscale condo buildings are being built all along Kingsway and are slowly replacing housing more suitable for families. Many members of the audience expressed discontent with these changes in the neighbourhood and associated them with increased housing costs. One man claimed he had recently become homeless due to rental hikes in a nearby area.

The event ended with an open discussion among the audience about housing in Vancouver. Many expressed concerns with the long wait-times for social housing and the limited options available that are often restricted to specific neighbourhoods in Vancouver.

“There should be social housing available and integrated in all the neighbourhoods, including the upscale ones like Yaletown or the West-End,” said Nancy Cameron, a community program manager at YWCA Vancouver. “Women and families who have low incomes should be given the opportunity to live in a community that allows easy access to public schools and facilities, and shouldn’t be made to live in neighbourhoods that lack basic amenities.”

In spite of the sombre closing discussion, many left the gathering feeling supported by others in the community and empowered by their own voices.