LIFE STORIES

Financial stress is high for single mom

Frustrated with welfare system as she fights for the chance to go back to school

by CHRIS HARCUS

“Typically, by the end of the month, I’m really low on cash. And I’m always stressed out. I try to be careful with my money, but money just goes so easily. There is so much you need nowadays. Things just come up and I just freak out about my money.” — Jade

“Everyone said to me, don’t keep the baby, you can barely take care of yourself,” 22-year-old single mother Jade (last name withheld by request) says in the dim light of her grandfather’s basement. “My mom was like, ‘You are going to have to apply for welfare. We don’t have the money for this. You are going to have to figure it out.’

“People ask me still, do you ever regret it? I don’t ever regret, but it does suck that she won’t have a dad around. It’s unfortunate, but I love her. She’s an adorable and awesome baby. I feel blessed.”

Nine-month old Avery scampers across the carpet and towards the kitchen. She tugs a book off a nearby bookshelf and giggles as it crashes to the ground. She turns and beams at her mother for approval.

“She always goes for that one book,” Jade laughs.

Jade’s story is a familiar one among young single moms throughout Vancouver. Once a nursing student at Kwantlen Polytechnic University, she dropped out of school after her pregnancy in order to care for her daughter Avery. The two currently live in Jade’s grandfather’s basement, tucked into a small living room that, unlike the rest of the basement, retains the central heating from upstairs.

Avery’s father cut contact with Jade after she contacted him for a DNA test. She hasn't been able to contact him since.

Jade is currently living on welfare, although she hopes to continue her schooling sometime next year.

“They give me $400 a month, and that’s for her food, her clothing and stuff. And sometimes I get the universal child tax benefits. That’s like a $100. Then maybe another $100 every month. So it helps out.”

Jade believes this isn't enough for a person to live on.

“Typically, by the end of the month, I’m really low on cash. And I’m always stressed out. I try to be careful with my money, but money just goes so easily. There is so much you need nowadays. The costs are rising, everything is so expensive. I have to shop, obviously, at thrift stores because new baby clothes are so expensive. I pay $400 for rent. Even medicine isn’t covered. Things just come up and I just freak out about my money.”

“I have a big baby,” Jade laughs. “She eats $200 worth of formula a month. She loves to eat.”

Avery giggles in the background as she slides the book around the kitchen floor.

“I don’t think I get enough. I don’t have savings for her so, yeah, I worry all the time about money. I don’t have a job right now either, so I’m always like, oh man I wish she had a dad. That would really help out. So I could actually have an income and not be reliant every month.”

“I don’t feel financially secure.”

Jade says she is frustrated by the welfare system because she feels pressured to give up her education and any chance at a career.

“They don’t want me to go to school or training. I’ve been trying to, because I want to go back to nursing and they just don’t want me to do that. They want me to get a job. They say you need to get a job now. I have no work experience plus I have a kid. I just really want to go back to school and the government is making that really hard.”

“They tell me, ‘Why bother? Just go work at the dollar store. Have a minimum wage job your whole life.’ And then the welfare cycle continues with your children. Avery will have to grow up like that and I don’t want her to.”

Jade tries to keep a positive outlook and is working hard on getting the government’s permission to go back to school.

“I want a career. I want to be a practical nurse. And I want to get off the system. To start making money would be great. I’d love to be making money for once and not being reliant on cheques every month. Maybe find somewhere nice for me and Avery. That’s as far as I’m thinking.”

Jade reaches down and pulls a squirming Avery away from the exercise equipment and boxes stacked in the side of the room.

“I think I can get there. It’s going to take a lot of work, but I don’t want to live like this. This is not a good way to live.”