A Mother’s Strength
A Story of Hope
Mother’s Day is a time of joy, reflection, and appreciation for the love and sacrifices of mothers. But for many women, it’s also a painful reminder of the struggles they have endured in silence. At Ernestine’s , we meet individuals every day who have made the courageous decision to leave violent situations and seek safety for themselves and their children.
Grace’s story is one of many. For 11 years, she lived in fear, enduring emotional and physical abuse. Her three young sons grew up in a home filled with tension and uncertainty, never knowing if each day would bring safety or danger. The day Grace arrived at Ernestine’s was the day she chose hope.
At our shelter, Grace and her children found a safe place to heal. Her boys were quickly enrolled in school, with staff working closely to ensure their safety. When threats followed them, our team developed an intensive safety plan so that they could continue their education without fear. Slowly, they began to experience the simple joys of childhood—laughter, play, and peaceful nights of sleep.
But the journey didn’t stop there. At Ernestine’s, we provide a comprehensive range of services to support women, individuals and children on their path to healing and independence. This includes:
Emergency Shelter: A secure, confidential space where families can begin to rebuild their lives.
Counseling and Emotional Support: One-on-one and group counselling for women, individuals and children to process their trauma and build resilience.
Safety Planning: Essential strategies to ensure women, individuals and children remain safe both inside and outside the shelter.
Child and Youth Programs: Specialized support to help young survivors regain their confidence and continue their education without fear.
Legal and Housing Advocacy: Helping families navigate complex systems to secure stable housing and legal protection.
This transformation is what Mother’s Day is truly about: the strength of a mother to protect, nurture, and fight for a better future for her children.
This Mother’s Day, we invite you to honor the resilience of mothers like Grace. Your support ensures that women, individuals and children escaping violence have a place to turn—a place where safety, care, and hope are within reach.
Every donation makes a difference. Whether it’s providing safe shelter, counseling, or resources to help a mother rebuild her life, your generosity has a direct impact. This Mother’s Day, give a gift that truly matters.
Thank you for transforming lives beyond violence with us and for believing in the strength of mothers, and for making hope possible.