“Asking for help is very difficult, but don’t be scared of judgment. Concern yourself with bettering your situation and reaching your goals. Once you take that step, your life changes.”
Meet Mary – a young person in our program who has overcome adversity and is now on her way to building a brighter future for herself. Experiencing insecurity and instability she did not allow obstacles to dictate her life. Instead, she has chosen to use them as stepping stones to develop as an individual and reach her goals.
When Mary first joined StepStones at the age of 17, she was nervous and skeptical. She didn’t feel safe in many areas of her life and struggled to open up to other people. However, she soon found that StepStones offered a different environment—one where she could let her guard down, unwind, feel supported, and connect with people who genuinely cared. Mary’s turning point that led her to first reach out to StepStones was when she found herself experiencing homelessness. At StepStones, she was connected to resources that provided immediate support, including shelter. From that moment, Mary started to rebuild her life. When she secured her first apartment, StepStones provided her with a starter kit to help her establish a foundation of a home, reinforcing the sense that she was not alone on her journey
From then on, she began to build her relationship with StepStones and our community. Through events like our weekly Tuesday Dinners, she looked forward to an evening of belonging and acceptance with peers who have gone through similar experiences and could understand her better than anyone. Her relationship with her Connections Coordinator Rahwa, one of our front-line team members, blossomed and became a pillar of strength. Rahwa’s support and guiding words gave Mary the jolt of confidence she needed to face her challenges head-on.
Mary’s determination and resilience have carried her through countless tough moments. She often reflects on the hardest times in her life and uses them as motivation to tackle new challenges. It’s this mindset that saw her through an accelerated Social Service Worker program at Humber College, which demanded long hours and an unpaid 600-hour placement. She credits her teachers for their guidance and the collaborative environment at Humber for keeping her motivated. Her graduation was a moment of triumph, both for herself and for the educators who supported her.
Today, Mary is focused on giving back to her community. She aspires to work with youth who have been incarcerated or are in open custody homes. Mary’s own lived experiences enable her to connect deeply with these young people. She wants to support youth who come from difficult circumstances and end up making bad decisions because they feel they have no other choice. “Youth don’t want to hear advice from someone who hasn’t walked in their shoes,” she says. Her placements, including her work at a community center where she organized sports and dance activities for girls, have shown her the power of creating safe spaces where youth can bond, socialize, and feel seen. After experienced so much adversity, Mary has developed a sense of responsibility to support youth by being a living testament, modelling that your circumstances do not define you.
Mary’s advice to others is simple yet profound: “Asking for help is very difficult, but don’t be scared of judgment. Concern yourself with bettering your situation and reaching your goals. Once you take that step, your life changes.” She believes that taking responsibility and seeking support when needed are key to overcoming life’s challenges. Mary’s journey with StepStones for Youth exemplifies the strength and potential within all young people. Her story is one of courage and empowerment. She has transformed her experiences into a foundation for building a future filled with purpose and meaningful connections. StepStones is proud to have been part of her journey and is inspired by the difference she is making in the world.
