I grew up in the small town of Govan and came to Regina at 15 to finish high school, and it has felt like home ever since. I like living here because I have family close by, good friends, and a real sense of community that makes me feel safe and supported. Family has always meant everything to me, especially after becoming a mother and after losing my own mom to cancer ten years ago—I try every day to live by her example. My daughter is an incredibly special and resilient 8-year-old who has shown so much courage during this difficult time, always finding ways to make the best of our situation. She loves school, loves to draw, and works so hard in musical theatre; she makes me laugh every day and truly deserves the world. Right now, we’re facing the challenges of homelessness after leaving a domestic violence situation, and adapting to communal living has been hard, but we are safe and I’m grateful for the support around us. My hope for the future is to build a happy, healthy, peaceful home for the two of us and to show my daughter that we can be strong and create a beautiful life on our own.