Housing Support Stories

Hassan

“In November 2025, my son Hassan, who was almost two years old, was diagnosed with cancer. He has a twin brother, and I am a mother of four young children. As a single mom, life has been very challenging. As a newly arrived refugee adjusting to a new country and language while facing my son’s illness has been extremely difficult. I am not able to work because I have to take care of my children, and we depend only on child benefits to manage our daily life - rent, bills, groceries, and all life necessities.

I came from a country where life has already been very difficult, and I have seen a lot of pain. When I came to Canada, it gave me hope, safety, and a better future for my children. Now, seeing my son receive proper treatment and care means everything to me as a mother.

This journey has been very hard for our family, both emotionally and financially. But the support we received from the Housing Support Program came at the perfect time and made a huge difference in our lives. It helped me stay stable and focus on my child. I truly don’t have enough words to express my gratitude as a mother.

I hope this program continues to help other families like mine during some of the most difficult times in their lives. Your support makes this possible.

We are still on this journey, but we remain hopeful and strong for Hassan. Thank you for your kindness and support.” From, Hassan’s Mom

Sophia

“When our teenage daughter was diagnosed with cancer, our entire life was upended in an instant. No parent is ready to receive a cancer diagnosis, least of all when it is their child on the receiving end. As parents, we felt helpless, especially when she looked up at us with teary eyes and asked, “Why me?” As a family, we knew that this was going to be an uphill battle and the last thing we wanted was for our 15-year-old daughter to think she had to run up that hill by herself.

We walked away from work for a little while so we could be where we were needed most: at our child’s bedside, holding her clammy hand as her body endured the first (though we knew it would not be the last) dose of chemotherapy. In the middle of that chaos, the financial reality of everyday life felt like an extra weight we were barely able to carry.

The support we received from the Kindred Foundation’s Housing Support Program lifted a huge weight off our shoulders. Instead of lying awake worrying about how we would manage, we could focus on what mattered most: being there for our child through treatment, day and night. For us, Kindred’s help was not just financial; it brought a sense of relief and stability at a time when everything else felt completely uncertain. It reminded us that there are people and organizations who see what families like ours are going through and choose to stand beside us. We are deeply grateful to the donors and partners who make this program possible. Their generosity allows parents like us to show up fully for our children during the hardest moments of their lives.

With love, Sofia’s Family”

Ainsley

“Becoming a cancer mom was never part of my plan, but in October 2025, my worst nightmare became reality.

I am the mom of three incredible children: Ainslee (11), Irelynn (5), and Shepherd (3). My husband and I were living in northern Alberta when I suddenly felt an overwhelming urgency to move closer to family. Most of our loved ones lived in New Brunswick and Ontario, and although the decision made little financial sense—especially with my husband needing to remain in Alberta for work—I couldn't shake the feeling that we needed to go.

With anxious hearts and nearly empty wallets, the children and I moved to New Brunswick. At first, we questioned whether we had made a terrible mistake.

Then Ainslee became very sick.

What began as what we thought was a cold quickly became something much more serious. She grew pale and weak, couldn't keep food down, and struggled to breathe. After weeks of emergency room visits and searching for answers, a doctor called me after reviewing her X-rays.

What began as what we thought was a cold quickly became something much more serious. She grew pale and weak, couldn't keep food down, and struggled to breathe. After weeks of emergency room visits and searching for answers, a doctor called me after reviewing her X-rays.

"I couldn't get her off my mind all night," he said. "Please take her directly to the emergency department. They're expecting you."

Hours later, we were taken into a private room where a doctor gently told us that it appeared Ainslee had leukemia and needed to be transferred immediately to the IWK to begin treatment.

In that moment, the world fell away beneath my feet.

But suddenly, everything made sense. We had needed to be close to family. This was why.

For the past eight months, Ainslee has been battling high-risk B-cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. She spent more than a month in hospital, temporarily lost her ability to walk because of chemotherapy, battled repeated infections, and faced multiple complications. 

For months, her leukemia was resistant to treatment, and we lived with the heartbreaking uncertainty of whether she would survive.

Thankfully, Ainslee is now responding to treatment. While she still has a long journey ahead, she is finally moving toward healing.

Childhood cancer quickly becomes a family's full-time job, especially when you have other young children. My husband came to stay with us during the most critical months, but with him away from work, the financial strain became overwhelming.

The Kindred Foundation Housing Support Program lifted an enormous burden during the most frightening time of our lives. It helped us pay our rent, keep up with bills, put food on the table, and cover Ainslee's medications. Most importantly, it allowed my husband to remain by our side throughout her hospitalization and recovery. I truly don't know how we would have managed without that support.

You cannot put a price on that kind of peace of mind.

We will always be grateful to the Kindred Foundation for helping families in such a practical and compassionate way, allowing parents to focus on what matters most: being there for their child as they fight the hardest battle of their lives.

From the bottom of our hearts, thank you.” From, Ainslee’s Mom

Judah

“Our family has been navigating an incredibly difficult journey while caring for our now 4 year old son through his cancer treatment. The emotional, physical, and financial strain that comes with frequent hospital visits, time away from work, and the uncertainty of a serious illness has been overwhelming at times.

The Housing Support Program provided much-needed relief during one of the most challenging periods of our lives. Knowing we had support with housing-related expenses allowed us to focus on what mattered most—being present for our son and supporting him through treatment. This assistance eased a significant burden and gave our family greater stability and peace of mind when we needed it most.

We are deeply grateful for the support and kindness shown to our family. The help we received made a meaningful difference in our lives and reminded us that even during the hardest moments, we were surrounded by a community that cared.” 

From, Judah’s Mom

Kiara

“Our family walked through an incredibly heavy season, balancing the fear and uncertainty of our child’s medical journey with the stress of not having our jobs to support our mortgage payments and stable housing. We have been away from home for almost a year now, and it often felt like everything was slipping at once. 

The Housing Support Program came at such time, a blessing from God. It was not just resourceful in providing funds for few months of our mortgage, but also restored a sense of safety, dignity, and hope. Because of that support, we were able to shift our focus back to what truly mattered: being present for our child and holding our family together during one of the hardest times of our lives.

While we will pass over these tough days, the help and love we received during our struggles will never be forgotten. Thank you for your kindness, Kindred Foundation.

Thanks & Regards, Kiara’s Mom”

Kursten

“As a single mother of three children, we had just achieved a dream we had worked so hard for—we purchased our first family home and moved in at the end of October. It was meant to be the beginning of an exciting new chapter for our family. Just two weeks later, my daughter Kursten became seriously ill. Before she was finally admitted to the hospital, I brought her to the emergency room four separate times, spending between 8 and 15 hours each visit searching for answers. As her condition continued to worsen, my fears grew until we received the diagnosis no parent ever wants to hear: Kursten had been diagnosed with Ewing Sarcoma.

From that moment on, our lives revolved around hospital stays, chemotherapy, treatments, appointments, blood work, and scans. As a single mother balancing the care of three children while trying to maintain the stability of the home we had just purchased, the emotional and financial burden was overwhelming. The support we received from Kindred Foundation⁠ meant more to our family than words can express. Their assistance with our mortgage eased an enormous burden during one of the most difficult periods of our lives and allowed me to focus on what mattered most—being there for Kursten and her brothers.  

Their support gave our family something we desperately needed during a time filled with uncertainty: stability and hope. Knowing we had help keeping a roof over our heads meant I could spend less time worrying about finances and more time focusing on my children’s well-being. The kindness and compassion shown to our family came exactly when we needed it most, and I will always be grateful for the difference it made in our lives. On behalf of myself, Kursten, and her brothers, thank you for helping us through one of the hardest chapters of our journey and giving us the strength to keep moving forward together.” From, Kursten’s Mom

Jaun

"In March 2025, he was diagnosed with cancer. Since then, he has been in the hospital. His treatment has brought many complications, and the situation has been very stressful and frightening for our whole family.

Thanks to the Housing Support Program, we got some funds to cover our mortgage expenses for almost 3 months. That support really helps us and gives us some stability during a very hard time.

Juan is still at the hospital, but he seems to be getting better. We are hopeful.

I’m truly grateful for the help we received, it made a real difference when we needed it most.”  From, Juan's Mom