Mother’s Day is often seen as a time to celebrate mothers, but it can also be an opportunity to recognize something broader — the people who care for us, stand beside us and help carry us through difficult moments.
Care is not always loud or visible. It often lives in quiet decisions, steady persistence and everyday acts of kindness. It shows up in parents, relatives, friends, volunteers and community members who step forward when it matters most.
As one Inn from the Cold volunteer shared recently, “Volunteering isn’t just about giving time—it’s about sharing humanity. In every small act of kindness, we help restore dignity, build hope, and remind each other that no one has to walk their journey alone.”
That spirit of shared humanity is reflected in the journey of one mother who made the courageous decision to come to Calgary in search of new opportunities for herself and her two young children. Upon arriving, she entered shelter and worked hard to save money and build a more stable future.
With support through the Moccasin Pathways, a community-based supportive housing program for Indigenous families at The INN, she began to rebuild. She reconnected with her passion for beadwork, using it to earn income to support her family. After participating in a ribbon skirt–making workshop, she started creating and selling her own pieces — an expression of both culture and independence. Today, she is exploring a return to school, continuing to set new goals for herself and her children.
Her journey has not been one she has walked alone. During a recent family camp at Blackfoot Crossing Historical Site, her young daughter was embraced by the community, with others stepping in to care for her — a powerful reflection that care can be shared, and that it truly takes a village.
As of March 31, 2026, 44 per cent of families in our family shelter were female single-parent families — mothers navigating crisis while working to build stability for their children. Their strength and determination often go unseen. Alongside them are staff, volunteers and other families who help create a network of support rooted in dignity and connection.
This Mother’s Day, it’s worth taking a moment to honour the people — seen and unseen — who show up for others. Care, in all its forms, has the power to change what comes next.
