Gabriella on finding Hope in her new Home

My name is Gabriela, and two and a half years ago, I left everything I knew in Venezuela and arrived in Calgary with my husband and our two little girls. Starting over is never as simple as you imagine it will be. You think it’s just about new beginnings, but it’s also about saying goodbye to so much. It’s about trying to be strong when you’re scared and finding moments of joy in places you never thought to look. 

Calgary has become home, but it didn’t start that way. Moving here brought more than just the challenge of learning a new language or adjusting to a different climate. It brought the overwhelming responsibility of making sure my daughters had everything they needed, even when we barely knew where to start. My mother lived with us for a while, offering love and support, and then my brother and sister-in-law moved to Calgary, bringing our family back together in this new place. But as our family grew, so did the weight of trying to make everything work. 

That’s when we discovered Women in Need Society (WINS). It wasn’t just a place that offered assistance; it was a reminder that we weren’t facing this transition alone. WINS provided us with basic support during moments when it felt like we were just trying to keep our heads above water.

One of the most beautiful gifts WINS gave us was the opportunity to participate in the Gift Room. If you’re a parent, you know there’s nothing quite like the joy of seeing your child’s face light up with happiness. And when you’re struggling, the idea of not being able to give your kids a joyful Christmas is a heartbreak you feel deep in your bones. WINS made it possible for me to wrap up that magic for my daughters, even when I felt like we had nothing to give. 

This year, my hope for the holidays is simple: peace and unity for everyone. Calgary is home to many people coming from diverse cultures all over the world, each of us carrying our own stories and dreams. I wish for health for every family, for love to fill every home, and for everyone to feel the warmth of being surrounded by the people they care about. 

WINS is more than a support organization. It’s a place that brings hope to life. It transforms worry into relief, isolation into community, and struggle into something that feels a little more manageable. WINS gives moms like me the strength to keep going. 

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You have the power to be that hope for someone else. This holiday season, consider giving the gift of hope.

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