Kumi's Story: I moved to Canada from Japan for good when I was 6 months pregnant with my oldest son. It was a big decision to move to another country to raise a child even though I had lived in Canada for a while as a student before. My partner’s family lives a 2-and-a-half-hour drive from where we live. Although we took some prenatal classes, we didn’t get a chance to become close to other parents at that time, so I wish we had known about the Best Babies program where you get supported throughout your pregnancy until the baby turns 6 months old.
I started seeking connections with other parents in the neighbourhood by registering myself and my child for drop-in programs at Saanich Neighbourhood Place. The first SNP program we participated in was the Drop-in Kindergym program. The program was a perfect casual setting for a new parent such as myself who had a hard time getting out of the house sometimes as you are not expected to be there every week and you can come and go as you please. It was also a perfect place to meet up with other parents and catch up while the kids were kept happy playing with other kids. After I had my second child, I joined SNP’s Community Kitchen program. With 2 little children, this program allowed me to have a physical and mental break to engage in and enjoy normal activities such as cooking without worrying about the kids as they offered childminding services. On top of that, I got to go home with a meal for your family so I didn’t have to make dinner that evening! |
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I had a great experience connecting and making food with other participants, some of whom I am friends with to this day. When I had a miscarriage with my 3rd child, they even delivered a meal they made in the program for my family, which made me cry and truly appreciate the community I was lucky to be part of.
Over the years, I have made a lot of friends through these community programs and kids' schools and I still enjoy and cherish the friendships I built with them. I feel that it really does take a village to raise children, and the connections you make through communities make such a difference in you and your children’s lives.
After all these years, I found myself working at SNP as an Admin Assistant. I felt that it was my turn to give back to the community that helped me so much. I am very grateful for these community programs, which are accessible to everyone and that create opportunities to meet people and make meaningful connections. I am truly proud to be a part of the organization that creates such opportunities.
Over the years, I have made a lot of friends through these community programs and kids' schools and I still enjoy and cherish the friendships I built with them. I feel that it really does take a village to raise children, and the connections you make through communities make such a difference in you and your children’s lives.
After all these years, I found myself working at SNP as an Admin Assistant. I felt that it was my turn to give back to the community that helped me so much. I am very grateful for these community programs, which are accessible to everyone and that create opportunities to meet people and make meaningful connections. I am truly proud to be a part of the organization that creates such opportunities.
Sincerely,
Kumi
Kumi
