As a new Camosun College student, single mom Amy Cousineau is putting an abusive relationship in the past.
Cousineau is benefitting from the Single Parent Employment Initiative, and has enrolled in the mental health and addictions program at Camosun with the goal of becoming a social worker. SPEI covers her tuition and other school expenses, as well as child care for her two-year-old son, a key component for Cousineau.
“It makes a difference when it’s something you love,” she said, adding she would never have been able to afford to go to school, particularly with the additional expense of child care, without SPEI. “By helping the mother, that helps a lot of people. I can help my family and friends through what I am learning, and I can help my son by being able to support him.”
Classes started at the beginning of the year and Cousineau is finding it a busy schedule but enjoyable, despite being away from her son for long stretches at a time.
SPEI provides financial support to eligible single parents on income or disability assistance, with up to 12 months of funded training for in-demand jobs or paid work experience placement. It also covers transit costs to and from school and child care costs during their training or work placement and in the first year of employment.
Single parents can remain on income assistance while attending a training program. SPEI launched in September 2015 and has already had more than 4,600 single parents use the program, with more than 915 finding employment.
The program has also helped boost Cousineau’s confidence.
“It’s important for low-income single parents to know that it’s possible,” Cousineau said. “I have the same opportunities now as someone who is in a better situation than I am. It makes me feel so good to be able to talk to others about their situations. It makes me smile.”
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