Maryam’s Story
*Pseudonym; Names changed for privacy.
Maryam* was born in Somalia, where her father, Hassan*, worked for the Somali government for 30 years. When escalating conflict made their home unsafe and forced his early retirement, the family fled to Kenya, before eventually moving to Canada in search of a better life.
“Canada was our hope…” Maryam recalls quietly.
Starting Over
Transitioning to a new country brought safety and hope for a more stable future but also raised immediate challenges. Maryam’s parents were retired, and their pension was not enough to cover rent, food, and basic necessities. The cost of rebuilding a life in a new country felt overwhelming.
Determined to build a strong foundation, Maryam and Hassan enrolled in English as a Second Language (ESL) classes to improve their communication, and open doors to employment. Even as they studied, the strain of their financial situation weighed heavily on the family.
“This [was] a new adjustment for us. From Somalia, to Kenya, and now here in Canada – it is a lot, and confusing,” Maryam explained.
A Turning Point
A breakthrough came during an ESL class, when a fellow student mentioned Civida, and the affordable housing programs they offered. For the first time, Maryam heard about rent-geared-to-income community housing, where rent is set at approximately 30% of household income, ensuring families are not forced to choose between shelter and food.
“We were so happy to hear about this support,” Maryam recalls. “We did not know that there was an organization like Civida that could offer affordable housing to families like us.”
After confirming their eligibility, the family was placed on Civida’s housing priority list and eventually moved into a three-bedroom townhome in North Edmonton.
For the first time since arriving in Canada, survival was no longer their only focus.
“I really like it here. This is much better than our old place…I feel like I have a chance to be more because we can afford rent and food,” Maryam shared joyfully.
New Challenges and Resilience
With secure housing, Maryam was able to focus on her career, completing certification as a Level 1 Early Childhood Educator. She began working at a daycare, helping other families, while supporting her elderly parents. Just as things were looking up, the COVID-19 pandemic changed everything.
Maryam’s mother, Fatima*, caught the virus. Although she recovered from the initial illness, her health declined significantly. Fatima lost mobility and required full-time care. Both of Maryam’s parents, now in their 80s, depended entirely on her.
Maryam made the difficult decision to leave her job and become their full-time caregiver.
“They are my parents, and I love caring for them. This situation has affected our financial situation and what we can afford.”
For many families, a loss of income during a medical crisis can lead to eviction and instability. At Civida’s community housing program, most tenants feel secured as their rent is geared to their household’s income.
“When we informed Civida about this change, they reviewed our file and adjusted our rent to meet our current income,” Maryam says. “I could not be more grateful for Civida,” she added.
Breaking Down Barriers
Fatima’s new reality as a person with limited mobility and reliant on wheelchair created new challenges. Leaving the home required lots of assistance, making doctor’s appointments and daily errands a struggle for the family. Emergencies were a constant fear.
Noting the struggle, a Civida Community Engagement team member stepped in to help the family navigate the funding application for a wheelchair ramp.
“It was a big application. It required a lot of details, doctor’s notes, and medical information that were hard to get. It was a long process. Carl* [a Civida Community Engagement team member] helped me a lot! I could not have gotten this ramp if it wasn’t for Carl’s help and Civida’s support,” Maryam exclaimed.
For Maryam, the ramp was peace of mind.
“When I got the ramp, I felt relieved. This is when I realized things are starting to get better. Thank God for the ramp, for Civida, and for Carl.”
Before having the ramp installed, Maryam worried constantly.
“Now, with the ramp, I feel better, relieved, and calmer,” Maryam shared.
A Future Built on Community
Today, Maryam describes her family’s situation with quiet certainty.
“We don’t know what will happen in the future, but right now we are here, we are okay, and we are safe.”
Looking back, Maryam offers advice grounded in perseverance:
“In my faith, there is a saying: Help yourself so God can help you more. Have faith. Don’t give up…keep trying every day…It is not easy, but keep trying and be patient.”
“I appreciate Civida and the Community Engagement team a lot. We can manage our current situation through Civida’s help,” Maryam added.
Thanks to Civida’s funders, supporters, and community partners, families like Maryam, Hassan, and Fatima can live comfortably in a safe, stable, and affordable home.
Sharlene was working as a Medical Laboratory Assistant at Red Cross when she met her husband, Gary, who has been living in one of Civida’s affordable housing units since 1972.
“He lived with his parents and grew up in a Civida affordable housing apartment. He asked me to marry him in 2014. We got married in 2016 and moved in together in a Civida affordable housing apartment the same year,” Sharlene said.
Sharlene faced struggles in life, but the greatest of them all was when her husband was diagnosed with cancer in 2019.
“I got into an accident in 2018, then my husband had cancer the year after. I had to quit my job, which was already a seasonal, temporary job, to recover and care for my husband,” Sharlene shared.
“I asked Civida if my son, Daniel, can move in with me so he can help me care for my husband and care for myself,” she mentioned.
“Once Daniel passed all the requirements, Civida was very quick to accommodate Daniel into our home. I appreciated that,” Sharlene joyfully said.
As things start to look up, life has a way of turning things around. Sharlene and Daniel were threatened and assaulted by a troubled man. Edmonton Police and Civida handled the issue swiftly to the best of their abilities and kept Sharlene’s family safe.
“How Civida handled the incident was great! They were accommodating and listened to our concerns. Jeff [District Office Leasing Clerk] helped us a lot. Jeff was very understanding and compassionate. He and the Civida team took care of all our worries,” Sharlene shared.
As Civida deemed this situation to be imminent and life-threatening, they moved Sharlene and her family to a new apartment to protect them.
“The day we first paid rent here, in this unit, is the moment that we realised things were getting better in our lives. We are safe,” Sharlene shared.
Through Civida’s affordable housing programs, Sharlene and her family’s life improved, enabling them to find stability, comfort, and peace.
“In the real world, I would not be able to afford a 2-bedroom townhouse like this [pertaining to where they currently live]. Through Civida’s help, I don’t have to worry about the financial aspect of it. We can provide for ourselves. We can eat every day,” Sharlene said.
The most significant change that Sharlene noticed after living in an affordable home is that she is more hopeful about the future. “I am hoping to get into my passions and crafts. I am almost retired, and I am excited to do the hobbies I’ve been wanting to do,” Sharlene mentioned.
When Sharlene was asked to describe her journey in three words, she said, “I made it.”
“We made it to the other side. It’s very bright here. We don’t need to watch over our shoulders. Without Civida, we would be on the streets, so yes – we made it,” she appreciatively added.
Thanks to Civida’s supporters and funders, families like Sharlene and Daniel can live comfortably in a safe, stable, and affordable home.
Gary lives with hearing loss and has been relying on his sister to help him express his needs as it can be challenging for him to communicate and share his thoughts. When his Civida District Office learned that Gary needed to move due to his special needs and current situation, they swiftly supported him, matching Gary to a more accessible home. “He couldn’t believe how beautiful the new place was. He was so excited. We no longer had to worry about him as he immediately felt safe,” says his sister.
Change is hard, especially for those with disabilities and who are vulnerable, but Gary transitioned well and was very delighted to be in his new home. “I love this place. It is so beautiful with such a nice view. It gives me peace of mind that I am in a safe place with good people, landlord [referring to Civida] and caretakers.” Gary expresses his gratitude for the Civida District Office team.