More than twenty years ago, Lina* came to Canada, hopeful as she began a new life with her Canadian partner. Shortly after their wedding, he promised to take care of her immigration paperwork, a promise he never kept. Over time, the relationship became increasingly abusive and controlling. Lina was isolated from her community, monitored closely, and denied the chance to build friendships or seek support. Although her husband paid the household expenses, he made sure she depended entirely on him. Together, they had more than two children.

For two decades, Lina lived in the shadows without legal status, identification, or any real hope of securing either. When her husband passed away from cancer last year, she was suddenly alone with no income, no documentation, and no understanding of how to navigate the systems around her. Fear kept her silent. She worried that asking for help might lead to deportation or losing her children. Even when she tried reaching out to community services, she was repeatedly turned away because she did not meet eligibility criteria.

As her financial situation worsened, Lina struggled to afford rent, food, and even basic necessities. She felt trapped and overwhelmed until a chance meeting with an outreach worker from SARA for Women changed everything.

The outreach worker listened with genuine compassion and immediately began building a plan to support her. She contacted agencies across the region, searching tirelessly for any available resources. Through a partnership with a local church, she secured emergency rent assistance, helping Lina and her children avoid losing their home. She also arranged regular food deliveries, gift cards, bus tickets, and farmers market coupons to ensure the family’s essential needs were met.

Understanding how urgent Lina’s legal situation was, the outreach worker reached out to several community legal advocacy programs. Again and again, the responses were the same. No support, due to strict eligibility rules and the complexity of the case. Still, she refused to give up. She kept searching until, after persistent effort, she finally found legal representation through the Immigration and Refugee Legal Clinic.

The worker also contacted the Ministry to seek income assistance for Lina, but the application was denied because Lina lacked legal status. Even so, the outreach worker has remained firmly by her side, ensuring she has safety, community connections, and a pathway forward as she works toward regularizing her status.

Today, although her journey is still ongoing, Lina no longer faces it alone. With legal support and steady, compassionate care, she is beginning to rediscover hope and slowly rebuild her life after so many years defined by fear and isolation.

“If it were not for SARA, I would not have known where to turn. I cried often out of fear, and again when you found immigration support for me. D, you have truly helped me regain confidence and hope. I am looking forward to spending time with my children and experiencing relief this holiday season. Thank you.”