For the first 16 years of my life, I lived with my mother and twin brother.  Being bipolar, my mother wasn't always kind and affectionate to her family.  My brother began to rebel and I watched as he failed his schoolwork, our mother and himself.  This was not what I wanted for myself.

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                             Having been a foster parent for several years has given me much pleasure and so many rewards. It has also humbled me, when I see a child struggling so hard to find their path in life and reaching to me, as a foster parent, for the help that will give them direction. Read More

Julie came to WAYS at 15 years of age.  Her mother had remarried and Julie’s new stepfather began sexually abusing her when she was eight years old.  The sexual abuse included intercourse.  Julie, unable to tell anyone about the abuse, started acting out in school hoping that someone would notice her. Her behaviour escalated and she ran away.  She ended up in Toronto but was terrified of the big city. Running away did attract attention to Julie and she was referred to Vanier as a “problem child”.  Read More