Meet the Families

These are the remarkable families that need the support of the Kingsway College School community to provide relief, hope, and joy this holiday season. 

Family numbers are assigned by the George Hull Centre and used as identifiers for the Family Gift Match program.

Parents: Mother, Stepfather
Children: Daughter (16), Son (14)

This local family of four has been navigating an exceptionally difficult period.

After a workplace injury, the stepfather lost his job — and with it, the ability to return to the trade he’s known for years. The mother stays home to care for their son, who has special needs, while supporting their teenage daughter through ongoing mental health treatment.

With limited income and constant care responsibilities, the family now relies on Ontario Works to cover basic expenses. Food security has become their main concern, and the cost of winter clothing — especially boots for their two teenagers — adds to the strain.

Even so, they focus on small ways to stay connected as a family. A simple outing to the movies or small gifts like a Minecraft Lego set, Robux, or a Google Play card would bring real joy and a sense of normalcy to their teens.

Despite the uncertainty they face, this family continues to show quiet resilience — meeting each day with determination, care, and a deep belief in looking out for one another.


Parents: Mother, Father
Children: Daughter (18), Son (17)

This resilient immigrant family has faced unimaginable hardship over the past year. The father, once the family’s main provider, was struck in a hit-and-run accident in 2023 and left paraplegic. Since then, the mother has become his full-time caregiver, leaving her job to care for him around the clock. For months, the family had no income before an insurance subsidy began, and even now they continue to face immense financial strain while adjusting to their new reality. Their situation became even more difficult recently when the homestay students they relied on for extra income had to move out, further tightening their finances.

With no extended family in Canada, limited English, and ongoing medical needs, they often go without essentials. The family’s most immediate needs are food, clothing, and support with their cell phone plan so they can stay connected to doctors, schools, and community services. A Costco gift card would help them meet these everyday necessities, while wish list items like a hair dryer and a double-size mattress would bring a meaningful sense of comfort to their home.

Despite their challenges, they remain deeply grateful for the kindness and support they’ve received. After benefiting from the Family Gift Match program last year, they shared how touched they were by the generosity shown to them, and expressed their hope to one day give back to others in need.

Parent: Single Mother
Children: Son (19), Daughter (17), Daughter (12)

This single-parent family of four continues to demonstrate remarkable perseverance through difficult times. The parent works part-time while attending night classes, determined to create a more secure future for their children. Finances are stretched thin, and there are days when groceries simply don’t last until the end of the week.

Their eldest, just seventeen, balances school with three weekend shifts at a grocery store to help support the household — carrying responsibilities few their age should have to bear.

The family has faced instability and domestic violence in the past, yet they continue to move forward with quiet resilience and unwavering love for one another. Their most immediate needs are food and clothing, which would help ease financial pressure and allow the eldest to focus more fully on education and personal growth.

This family was supported by the program two years ago and still speaks with deep gratitude about the generosity that helped them through that time.  With the community’s continued support, they can again experience the reassurance that they are seen, supported, and not alone.


Parent: Single Mother
Children: Son (18), Son (16), Daughter (8), Daughter (6), Dog

This single mother and her four children have faced challenges that few could imagine. A survivor of severe domestic violence, she continues to live with the physical and emotional effects of her past, which prevent her from working. Even so, her focus remains steadfast — creating a home where her children feel safe, loved, and supported.

Raising four children, ages six to eighteen, would be demanding under any circumstances. For this family, the difficulties are compounded by limited resources and the rising cost of living in their city. They rely on social assistance, stretching every dollar to cover housing and food — yet the struggle to keep up is constant.

What stands out most about this family is not their hardship, but their strength. The children are kind, bright, and full of potential, each bringing their own light to the home. Their mother, though exhausted, remains unwavering in her care and determination. She is deeply moved by the generosity of others in their family.


Parents: Mother, Father
Children:  Son (16), Son (7), Son (6)

This devoted two-parent family is raising three remarkable boys, each with distinct medical and developmental needs. Together, they face every challenge with strength, teamwork, and unwavering love.

One son lives with Type 1 diabetes. Another, on the autism spectrum, has endured multiple brain surgeries and endures significant mobility challenges. Recently, the family gained access to Wheel-Trans, which has made daily travel to and from school a bit easier — yet their days remain full of medical appointments, therapies, and constant advocacy.

The parents are unable to work full-time, leaving finances stretched to the limit. Food and clothing are their most urgent priorities, along with gas cards to help cover transportation costs for school and hospital visits.

Small comforts and shared experiences would bring this family meaningful joy — a movie outing together, fresh towels and washcloths for home, or support for extracurricular activities like cooking or piano lessons.

Having received community support in the past, this family remains profoundly grateful for the compassion that helped them through difficult times. They continue to embody resilience and hope — meeting each day with courage, love, and an unshakeable commitment to one another.


Parent: Single Mother
Children: Daughter (18), Daughter (13), Daughter (12)

This hardworking mother does everything she can to provide for her children, working full-time as a cleaner and often taking on extra jobs just to make ends meet. Her teen daughters often help with these cleaning jobs, and together they show incredible determination and teamwork. Despite her relentless work ethic, the cost of living has made it difficult to keep up.  She often relies on the food bank to fill school lunch bags but it falls short.  The only item on this mother’s wish list was snacks and food for school lunches for her teen daughters.

The family has received community support before and shared how deeply it helped — “It allowed our family to survive last winter and have a Christmas experience.” Wish list items that would bring joy include Bose speakers and a hair styler for curly hair.

Through hard work and love, this family continues to persevere despite the challenges they face. Your kindness can help ease their daily burdens and bring warmth and joy to their home this holiday season.


Parent: Single Mother
Children: Son (21), Daughter (17), Daughter (11), Son (9), Daughters, twins (6)

This devoted mother of six has always worked tirelessly to provide for her family. Recently, a car accident left her unable to work and on an unpaid leave of absence compounding their existing struggles. This will be the first Christmas the mother cannot afford gifts for her children — a reality that weighs heavily on her heart.

Their immediate needs are practical but pressing: warm winter coats for the children and their mother, food to help carry them through the season, and a new pair of eyeglasses for the mother so she can manage day-to-day tasks with greater ease.

The family’s simple wish list speaks to their closeness — board games to play together, movie tickets for a shared outing, and cozy blankets and bedsheets to bring warmth and comfort to their home.

Through every hardship, this family continues to show deep love and care for one another. With your support, they can experience a measure of relief and the reassurance that their community stands beside them during this difficult time.


Parent: Single Mother
Children: Son (adult), Daughter (19), Daughter (17), Daughter (12), Granddaughter (1)

This strong and loving single mother has worked tirelessly to rebuild her life after leaving an abusive relationship two years ago. After spending time in a shelter, she now has stable housing where she cares for her three daughters, her young granddaughter, and her adult son. Though daily life remains challenging, their home is filled with love, laughter, and a renewed sense of hope.

The family has received community support in the past and spoke movingly about what it meant to them:
 “It was such a nice experience last year. How did people know exactly what I needed? It made me feel important — like someone was thinking about me.”

This year, their focus remains on maintaining their housing and keeping up with the rising cost of food. Simple comforts — a winter coat for her granddaughter, warm pyjamas for all, cozy blankets, herbal teas, scented candles— these items would bring small moments of joy and calm to their holiday season.

Your generosity can help bring comfort, warmth, and a reminder that they are not alone — that their community still stands with them.


Parent: ​​Single mother
Children: Daughter (21), Son (19), Daughter (9), Son (5)

This devoted single mother has faced more than her share of hardship, yet continues to meet each challenge with love, strength, and quiet determination. A proud Métis woman of mixed heritage, she is raising her 9-year-old daughter while also caring for her younger siblings — a 21-year-old sister, 19-year-old brother, and 5-year-old brother. Her youngest daughter was recently diagnosed with a learning disability and struggles with reading, writing, and building peer relationships, but is supported each day by her mother’s steady guidance and care.

Despite many obstacles, this mother has maintained her sobriety for twenty years, creating a stable and nurturing home grounded in resilience and love. After many years of steady employment, she has been out of work for several months and is actively seeking new opportunities, though systemic barriers have made this process difficult.  Finances are now extremely tight, and the family’s most urgent needs include food, clothing, shoes, and winter coats.

Their wish list reflects their warmth and simplicity: pillows for their beds, a toaster, hair products suitable for mixed-race children, and crafts, dolls and Hot Wheels toys for the youngest members of the family.

Through every challenge, this mother remains a pillar of strength and hope for her family. Your support can help ease the daily pressures she carries and remind this remarkable family that their community sees, values, and believes in them.


Parent: Single Mother
Children: Son (9), Son (7)

This courageous single mother and her two young sons arrived in Canada last December after fleeing civil unrest and war in their home country. The journey to safety has come with immense hardship and trauma, but the family is slowly rebuilding their sense of stability and hope. The boys are bright and full of energy, but their experiences have made social connections difficult, leaving them somewhat isolated.

The mother is doing everything she can to provide for her children while navigating financial barriers in a new country. Food and clothing are the family’s most urgent needs, and this will be their first opportunity to celebrate the holidays in Canada — something their mother has long dreamed of. The boys’ simple wishes include a tablet and a remote control car, gifts that would bring comfort and joy to their new home.

This family’s strength, love, and determination shine through despite all they have faced. With community support, they can experience the warmth, welcome, and hope that every family deserves during the holiday season.


Parent: Single Mother
Children: Daughter (12), Daughter (6)

This single mother is doing everything she can to support her two daughters, but the family continues to face significant financial strain. Despite working full-time as an administrator, her low income barely covers basic expenses, leaving the family relying on food banks. Rising gas costs make even transportation a challenge, and mounting credit card debt has placed her at risk of bankruptcy.

The mother’s days are a careful balance of work and care, often missing shifts to support her daughter through anxiety and therapy appointments. Their most immediate needs include groceries, clothing, gas cards, and toiletries to help ease daily pressures. The family’s wish list includes small joys like a Starbucks tumbler, a LEGO set, and arts and crafts supplies for her younger daughter.

Having benefited from this program last year, the mother shared how deeply grateful she was for the support, saying it helped her family through a very difficult holiday season and gave them a sense of relief and hope.


This holiday season, your generosity can go even further! 

One amazing family from our community has pledged to match every grocery or Walmart Gift Card donation of $500 or more supporting the Above and Beyond RFTS program, with up to $10,000 cash. This means your gift will have double the impact – letting us support even more families to meet their basic needs this holiday season.

If you would like to contribute to this initiative, please reach out to Tania da Fonseca at [email protected] for details