“I am so happy and so happy about all that Dixon has done for me,” a bright, confident and chatty M. expressed.

While enthusiasm and joy radiate from M. today, she was clear to say that was once far from the case. When she arrived at Dixon, she was insecure, anxious and in her words, “broken.” Unfamiliar with Canadian culture and language, with no work experience or honed skills, M. found herself transitioning once more as she tried so hard to protect and provide for her five children.

The family had immigrated to Canada several years beforehand. Caught up in an abusive and violent relationship, eventually something in M. urged her to get her and her kids to safety. With the help of the Victim Services, she was able to leave. After staying at another transition house for the offered time, M. was scared and didn’t know what to do, where to go or what could come next, as she recounts through tears.

Exasperated with a foreign housing and social services system, she was directed to Dixon, where she was able to secure her own housing unit for her family. She admits she was surprised and comforted by how nice and clean it was. Panicked because of her desperate need for financial stability, M. realized with the help of Dixon staff that she simply wasn’t prepared or ready to enter the work force. Rather, they helped her enroll in a program that allowed her to receive job training and experience. It was there she said she was able to get her confidence back.

“I was totally lost when I arrived, I had no confidence at all,” M. said. “I was totally down. But by setting goals and with the help of the staff at Dixon, who would help me and advise me no matter what, I feel confident and happy again.”

During that time, M. was also directed to counselling, legal counsel and general support through Dixon. Her children received care, support and community as well.

“If it weren’t for Dixon, I don’t think my kids would be happy. When they get what they need, they are happy and I am happy,” M. says.

When she had to attend court dates, Dixon staff would care of her children. When they needed food, clothes, maintenance on their living unit—anything at all—Dixon was there, even before M. asked.

“If it weren’t for Dixon, I don’ think I would have been able to get my kids in school, get a job, been able to rent a house or know anything about life here,” M. said. “Without Dixon, I wouldn’t even know what my rights would be.”

Today, M. is transitioning out of Dixon’s programs and has secured both employment and housing on her own, something of which she is extremely proud.

“I feel now that I am independent and I can take care of my kids and myself and I am strong enough to do that,” M. said.

Of course, at Dixon, a client’s gain is our loss. We are always immensely proud of women who are ready to leave the program, but trust they will remain in close touch.

“I will always remember Dixon in my story,” M. said. “I really feel like Dixon is like a mom and dad. They carry a lot for me. Especially because I don’t have family in Canada.”