Michelle

“I am very thankful SEED has touched my life. They have paved the path for future generations of my family.”

Michelle and her daughter moved from the Philippines in 2015 to join her husband who had moved to Winnipeg two years prior. Upon arrival, she was overwhelmed. She had left a good nursing job in the Philippines and now she had no job, no extended family, was newly pregnant and they were living in a tiny bachelor apartment. She was feeling desperate – having no idea what to do or where to turn.

After explaining the situation to her employment coach, Michelle was referred to SEED. She felt understood and supported by the staff in SEED’s Recognition Counts program. “Sandra and Jeff have been with me all the way.” They encouraged her to start the process to return to nursing, but due to the expense and the immediate need to put food on the table for her growing family, she didn’t feel she could consider it. Michelle felt completing training as a Health Care Aide would be a faster way to provide for her family, so SEED helped her borrow $3,600 for the course. She landed a job upon graduation and used her first salary payment to start the process of becoming a nurse in Winnipeg.

SEED continued to help Michelle through the 5-year process to obtain her nursing license, including helping her to obtain additional loans. “If it wasn’t for SEED’s support with the process, with the money – and for my sanity – I don’t know where I would be.” Michelle now works as a nurse, has been able to help purchase a home for their family, and is more than grateful for SEED. Her final loan will be paid off this October.

“I am always very vocal about my involvement with SEED. I’m happy to share my struggles and my story if it will make it easier for others. I am not embarrassed about my struggles; I am more proud. I am very thankful SEED has touched my life. They have paved the path for future generations of my family.”

More Impact Stories

Eadha

Eadha, meaning endurance, is a sourdough bakery worker co-operative in Winnipeg’s West End. Eadha operates under a queer, anti-racist, and de-colonial mandate, and strives to provide staff with a living wage and benefits. Originally launched as a sole proprietorship in 2016, Eadha began working with SEED in 2021 to transition into a worker co-operative and officially re-launched as Eadha Bakery Co-op in 2023 with six worker-owners.

Lindiwe

“I was on EIA [Employment and Income Assistance] while I was going to school from 2015-2018. I took graphic design in school so I wanted to invest in a computer but on EIA you have such a small amount to spend so you can’t really spend anything extra.”

Lindiwe moved back to Winnipeg with her daughters to start fresh and was looking for resources to help her get started. After completing the Saving Circle program, she joined the Individual Development Account (IDA) program in 2019.

Lori

“I got to meet other people online who are in the same situation as me. Hearing other people’s stories and ideas really helped me feel less isolated and alone.”

Lori joined the program on a recommendation from a friend with the goal of saving for a new bed. For every dollar she saved, she received three dollars from SEED.