SURREY – Thanks to the Single Parent Employment Initiative (SPEI), a unique government employment program launched just over a year ago, hundreds of single parents throughout the province, and their children, will be having a brighter Christmas with some extra cheer this year.
Amanda, a single mother of two who lives in Surrey, is one of those parents.
Determined to create a more secure future for herself and her two children, Amanda became involved in SPEI and started working towards her goal of becoming a medical-administrative assistant.
Amanda recently graduated from the Academy of Learning with a 4.0 grade point average and was chosen as valedictorian for her graduating class. Because of her hard work and the help SPEI has provided, Amanda is more confident in herself and her abilities and is eager to put her new skills to work in the field that she loves.
Veronica is another single mom from Surrey who is benefiting from SPEI.
Even before Veronica graduated from the Social Services Worker Foundation program at CDI College she had already secured full-time employment through her practicum placement. She has been off income assistance ever since. Veronica will be the first to tell you that without the support of SPEI she would not be where she is today.
The feeling of hopelessness that Veronica once had is long gone. This Christmas, Veronica and her family will not only buy gifts, they will enjoy a turkey dinner with all the trimmings too.
Launched in September 2015, SPEI provides eligible single parents on income or disability assistance with supports to assist them overcome barriers and get back into the workforce. To date, more than 4,000 single parents have become involved in SPEI and more than 730 have already found employment. Of those involved, over 1,500 are from the Fraser Region, which includes Surrey and surrounding areas.
