Ashlyn Stevenson reflects on the positive impact receiving toys for her children over the holidays made on her family.
“It just gave me that extra little boost that made us feel hopeful, that we're not actually alone.” - Ashlyn Stevenson
Giving Tuesday marks the beginning of the holiday season, and as in past years, the idea of brightening the holidays for kids and families in our community was paramount.
Thanks to the generosity of our supporters and our partnerships with Toys “R” Us Canada and Ma Mawi Chi Itata Centre, Indigenous families in our community experienced the joy of opening presents together on Christmas morning.
Ashlyn Stevenson, a single mother of two, was one of the many local families who received toys for her children. “These presents not only filled my home with smiles and laughter, but they also helped take the weight off my shoulders,” said Stevenson.
Toys “R” Us Canada matched each donation of $50 to Victoria Hospital Foundation with a free toy that we passed along to Ma Mawi Wi Chi Itata Centre to be included in their Annual Christmas Hamper Drive. All funds raised will be used to help advance healthcare at Victoria Hospital and in our community.
Over the past two years, COVID-19 has impacted so many families. And the challenges continue to affect our physical, financial, and mental wellness. However, research led by the University of Manitoba shows that Indigenous people are twice as likely to struggle than non-Indigenous communities during the pandemic.
To help ease the impacts of COVID-19, we wanted to provide a reprieve from daily stresses and bring joy to as many children and families as possible.
Stevenson says that she’s always lived in survival mode. “You know, being a single mom and whether I am working or not working, the hard work has never been enough to put healthy food on the table and not enough to provide my kids with the simple things.” Stevenson never had much growing up and has tried to work extra hard to give her kids more, but it is especially hard to do over the Christmas period.
This year had been an especially tough one. Her voice waivers as she recounts what she and her kids have been through and COVID-19 has only amplified her family’s experience. “It’s impacted us tremendously. My son is too scared to go outside; he has developed severe anxiety which has been super difficult as a single parent without a healthy support system around me. Just trying to help him through all his feelings and emotions has taken every ounce of strength that I have.” And the mental health effects from COVID-19 didn't stop at her front door, they extended throughout her neighbourhood, so much so, that after a series of traumatizing events, she recently got an emergency transfer to a new area, one where her children feel safe and where people are not living in survival mode 24/7.
“This program was super impactful, and definitely helped us out. Without it, I would have only been able to put one or two presents under the tree, instead, I was able to give my kids quality, name-brand toys.” It’s wonderful to hear how excited her kids were when they saw the presents. “I think that it was even more exciting for them because it was really a surprise. It was completely unexpected and it made such a big difference,” said Stevenson.
Did the program improve her well-being and mental health? “Absolutely! It took a huge weight off my shoulders; it was a little less stress that I had to worry about.” Stevenson was fortunate to move just before the holidays and was finally able to breathe, enjoy watching her kids open their presents, and enjoy cooking Christmas dinner. “You know, it’s the little things that I think a lot of people take for granted because they have never been in my situation. Being able to get that extra help and support without having to tell my whole life story or trade something to get it was really appreciated. This opportunity just came so freely.”
She also acknowledges all the other families who were impacted in such a great way from receiving the toys. “I only have two kids, but I know a lot of families that are connected with Ma Mawi, that have a lot of kids. So that made a huge difference for a lot of families,” said Stevenson. “That’s a big chunk of money that you don't have, and especially being in a pandemic, it's not easy to just go out and, get what you need, or figure out how to make a couple of extra bucks to provide even basic necessities. There are not a lot of places that are open where you can get support from. It weighs people down.”
Stevenson reveals the positive turn her life has taken. She was recently offered the role of Pow Wow Coordinator at Ma Mawi, a role that she is proud to be in. Stevenson is a self-proclaimed people person who did a lot of outreach work for Ma Mawi in the community—a community that has lost so many of its elders. She tries to live a very traditional life and feels that the spirituality she carries in her own life shone through, so much so that Crystal Leach, who runs the Youth Programs at Ma Mawi, reached out to see if she was interested. And since accepting the job, “...all these great things started coming every day—like every day. It was something really powerful, coming from where we were just a few months ago, we've been flourishing so much,” states Stevenson.
To everyone who donated on Giving Tuesday, THANK YOU! Your generosity and kindness changed the holidays for Ashlyn Stevenson, her children, and so many other local families.
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Would you like to make a difference and help Victoria Hospital Foundation create healthier futures for everyone in our community and at Victoria Hospital? Consider making a donation.
