When Eliana* visited YSM’s Evergreen Centre for Vulnerable Youth after experiencing serious trauma, she discovered a free nursery program where her baby could receive loving care while she participated in YSM’s wrap-around support options, including mental health, housing, and employment programs.
Nursery Program Coordinator Ruth Roblin gave Eliana diapers, food for her baby, and ongoing emotional support. When she needed them, Eliana found clothes in Evergreen’s clothing closet and food staples in the centre’s pantry.
“It was really beneficial,” Eliana says. “I would love one day not to need to receive services, and instead to be able to donate to YSM myself. I believe I’ll get there!”
Evergreen’s nursery has a special role in supporting young parents aged 16-24 as they come to YSM’s Evergreen Centre for holistic care.
“Among our nursery families, we have a lot of young single parents who are going to school and working part-time,” Ruth explains. “They are making just enough to survive because housing costs are so high. Some of them are living in hotels waiting for shelters.”
Many years ago, recognizing the holidays can be especially hard on young families, the Evergreen Health Centre’s medical volunteers began a program to sponsor nursery families at Christmastime, to help relieve financial strain and share holiday joy. As the nursery’s enrollment grew to more than 100 families, so did the Christmas program.
For Eliana, the $250 gift card helps provide for basic needs and allows her to create a meaningful holiday for her child.
“Thanks to everyone who supports this program, Christmas is now a time when nursery parents know their family will be provided for,” Ruth says. “The parents anticipate it all year.”
During the nursery Christmas party when families receive their gift cards, Santa and Mrs. Claus join the fun, along with a professional photographer who volunteers time so families have a special memento of their children with Santa.
At last year’s party, the children watched the door with mounting excitement while they ate cupcakes decorated to look like smiling snowmen and made crafts.
Suddenly, Santa’s helper rang a bell — Santa and Mrs. Claus were on their way!
“The look on the children’s faces when they see Santa and Mrs. Claus is incomparable to anything else,” Ruth says. “They have a look of pure joy and disbelief, and it truly warms my heart we are able to be a small part of that wonderful experience for them.”
This story was first shared in YSM’s Winter 2025 Urban Lights.