Saba’s Story
20-09-2024
Meet Saba.
She was born and raised in Denmark and until eight years ago, she was studying to become a nurse. That’s when she got married—and moved to Canada.
“After four years, I got pregnant and had my son and I just didn’t go back to work. I just wanted to spend time with my son and be a mom.”
Saba and her husband welcomed a second child in 2022. She says she’s lucky to stay home to care for her children, but she admits she was struggling with feelings of loneliness.
That’s when a friend told her about EarlyON at Wetsmount. EarlyON Child and Family Centres are free, high-quality, drop-in programs for families and children from birth to 6 years old. You can learn and play with your child, meet people and get advice from early childhood professionals.
I wasn’t sure if I could do it... because I wasn’t confident in my English,” she says.
“I got the courage, and I went to this program. I didn’t know anyone, and when I got there, there were like 10 other moms who didn’t know anyone. I found out that I’m not the only one who is struggling with some things,” says Saba.
“And so, we started going to Westmount almost every day!”
Saba says they go to three different EarlyON Centres and spend about three hours there each day. Her son, an active three-year-old, is off doing his own thing, finding his friends and playing. Her daughter, just one and a half years old, sticks close to her. They play together and Saba chats with the other mothers.
“Just being with moms and talking to them about whatever, or about being a mom. It was very comforting, and I’ve made amazing friends,” she says.
“It wasn’t just about the kids, we could talk. Talk about being a woman, not just a mom.”
She says going to EarlyON has become a habit for both her and her children.
“I get to go out and I get to do something for myself too,” says Saba. “EarlyON has been amazing... for us it has been absolutely amazing.”
Before they started coming to EarlyON, Saba says her son was having difficulty with his speech and interacting with other children. She says the program has been lifechanging for him.
“Now with EarlyON he approaches other kids and [tries to play with them]. He tries to build whatever they are trying to build, or if they are running, he would try to run too!”
Saba says EarlyON is also where she learned about Early Words, a Canadian Children's Literacy Foundation program, that helped her better understand her son and what is the best way for him to learn.
“It’s been an amazing journey seeing him grow. It’s been a blessing with EarlyON, there’s been so many things that came with it, for my kids and myself.”
She says each location has “toys where they have to use their brains,” and she commends the YMCA educators with being helpful, kind, informative—and for coming up with creative and fun activities that reflect the children's interests.
“I am very, very grateful that we have these places we can go to and just be us and be safe," says Saba. “They’re learning and they’re happy...and I can see them grow and just be happy kids.”
#ShineOn #IgnitePotential #TheYSavesLives #OvercomingObstacles
EarlyON centres offer free, high-quality drop-in programs for families and children from birth to 6 years old. You can learn and play with your child, meet people and get advice from early childhood professionals.
