How We Make a Difference

Tiffany's Story

(Resident name changed for her protection)

After an exhausting multi-day journey, Tiffany, a single mom with a 6-month-old baby, arrived in Vancouver seeking safety and asylum in Canada. Separated from her husband and unaware of his whereabouts for his protection, she found herself alone in a new country with an infant in her arms.

For several weeks, Tiffany and her baby stayed in an emergency shelter before being referred to Inasmuch. When we received the referral for a vacancy in our women’s transition home, we paused.

Until then, the home had housed only women. We wondered:

Would a baby’s cries disrupt others’ sleep?

Would welcoming a mother and child be painful for women who had left children behind in their home countries?

After prayerful consideration, our staff decided it was worth the risk. The next day, we welcomed Tiffany and her son. Our team quickly assembled a crib, purchased a car seat and bedding, and reached out to a local women’s Bible study for baby clothes, diapers, and toys. It became a beautiful team effort staff, volunteers, and community members working together to prepare a warm welcome. What happened next was something only God could orchestrate.

The six women already living in the home became instant sisters to Tiffany. Her little boy gained six devoted “aunties” who celebrated every milestone, from learning to crawl to his first birthday. Rather than causing tension, his presence brought joy and healing. Tiffany’s kindness and gentle spirit blessed the household in return.

When her son became sick and needed emergency care, the home host accompanied her so she would not have to sit in the hospital alone. A volunteer family provided a Christmas hamper filled with diapers and essential items. Neighbors later stepped in to help with daycare costs so she could begin working. Through grant funding from United Way, Tiffany participated in a work experience program, gaining her first Canadian job reference, which helped her secure employment.

Then another door opened.

An elderly couple contacted our Housing Coordinator looking to rent their basement suite to a family in need. Tiffany met them, loved the suite, and soon signed her own lease. Today, Tiffany is employed and living independently in her own market rental home. Her journey, from emergency shelter to stable housing, is a powerful testimony to what happens when a community says yes. Yes to risk. Yes to compassion. Yes to walking alongside someone rebuilding their life. Tiffany’s successful transition is evidence of the power of collaboration, staff, volunteers, donors, churches, neighbors, and landlords working together to restore dignity and hope.

As Tiffany continues her Canadian story, we pray she will keep flourishing, surrounded by kindness, opportunity, and community.