Success Stories
British Columbia
Single Mom Makes the Grade with the Help of the National Child Benefit
Program
Renee understands the importance of a good education. “The only way to a good life is a good education,” she tells her two children. Shortly after becoming a single parent, Renee enrolled in a series of night courses to gain the skills she needed to secure long-term employment. After completing her studies, Renee’s efforts were rewarded when she found a full-time job as an office administrator for a local charity.
Besides the earnings from her job, Renee is thankful for the extra income she receives through the B.C. Family Bonus, British Columbia’s income contribution program that is combined with the federal Canada Child Tax Credit and the National Child Benefit Supplement.
Renee uses the income toward bills and to pay the cost of having her children participate in sports. “I am very much in favour of encouraging my kids to be part of a sports team,” she says. ”I believe that teaching them how to be part of a team is fundamental in making them responsible kids. Learning to share wins and losses is always a challenge.”
Renee carries this value of shared responsibility through all aspects of her family’s life. Renee’s children contribute by helping with household chores and cooking meals. “My kids know how hard I work to achieve what we have,” she states. “They are great kids. Without them helping me as they do, working and running a household would be ten times tougher.”
Renee’s priority is to keep her children focused and interested in school. With regard to her own experience, she comments: “It’s never too late to go back to school. I made it back to classes.” However, she wants things to be different for her children. Renee is quick to emphasize,” Completing school sure is easier when you’re young.”
Renee hopes that her kids will take her advice to heart and will attend
university or college.
Learn about British Columbia's NCB programs