Born in Mexico and later placed into foster care in Canada, Grizelda experienced instability from an early age. When she became a single mother, she faced serious health complications during pregnancy, financial hardship, and the challenges of raising a child on her own but she was determined to give her son the security and opportunities she herself never had and motherhood became the catalyst for change.
After years of working toward that goal, Grizelda made the decision to return to school and pursue a career in game development. But getting accepted into her program was only the first hurdle. Covering tuition, school supplies, and everyday living expenses while supporting her son felt overwhelming. Support from the Single Mothers Support Fund helped make the impossible feel achievable. In Grizelda’s words:
“This grant has made a real, tangible difference in our lives. It allowed me to afford school materials, maintain proper nutrition, and manage essential expenses during times when income was uncertain. More than that, it gave me something I hadn’t experienced in a long time, a sense of stability.”
With that support, Grizelda was able to stay focused on her education, even through unexpected setbacks, including an injury that temporarily affected her ability to work.
Now just months away from graduating as a game developer, she is preparing for a career that will provide long-term stability for her family and allow her to be present for her son as he grows.
Looking ahead, her hopes are simple but moving: “I want him to grow up knowing he is supported, capable, and free to be himself. And I want to continue building a life where we are no longer just surviving but truly living.”
For Grizelda, the impact of community support extends far beyond financial assistance. It represents the chance to rewrite her family’s future.
“Because of you, I can look at my son and know that our future is no longer defined by where we started, but by what is now possible.”