Opening doors for single mothers

Shauna (not her real name) sits across from me on one of the comfortable, sagging sofas in the basement of Sardis Community Church in Chilliwack, B.C. She speaks enthusiastically about Sardis DoorWay for Mothers and Children. For her, the program has been a lifesaver. Shauna’s mother forced her to leave home at age nine, and for many years she has struggled with a drug and alcohol addiction. She has been a part of DoorWay for 14 years, since her son was born.

In addition to providing childcare one morning a week, DoorWay also provides optional workshops, Bible studies and lunch for single mothers. Workshops cover topics such as parenting, health issues, writing wills and crafts. The women can also upgrade their education and obtain their high school equivalency with the help of volunteers.

Elsie Goerzen, (centre), coordinator of Sardis DoorWay for Mothers and Children, and a mother and daughter who attend.

Each woman who comes to DoorWay has a different story to tell. Elsie Goerzen of Sardis Community Church has played a part in many of those stories since DoorWay’s beginning 17 years ago. Elsie’s motivation for beginning the program was based on the many Scripture passages that speak of God’s heart for the poor, the orphan and the widow. She admits that her energy to continue “comes and goes.”

Elsie believes God’s mandate for the church is Luke 4:18: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour.” She also lives by Luke 9:48, which says, “Whoever welcomes this child in my name welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me; for the least among all of you is the greatest.” As we speak, Shauna’s daughter, who now attends DoorWay preschool, climbs into Elsie’s lap for a hug, and Elsie welcomes her with open arms.

Elsie has seen generations of families come through the program, and at times that can be discouraging. But, she says, considering the hand these women have been dealt in life, she believes God applauds what she sees as small changes. One woman came faithfully to Bible study despite her struggle with alcoholism. Now, although her adult children need the support of DoorWay, they also attend the weekly Bible study. A few women attend Sardis Community Church, and several have been baptized. But integrating these women into the church continues to be a struggle. Many don’t stay in the church long-term simply because they feel they don’t fit in with the church crowd. “The secret,” Elsie says, “is getting them involved in care groups.”

Volunteers at Sardis DoorWay for Mothers and Children.

Recently Shauna has begun regularly attending the weekly Bible studies, of which “open discussion” is a big part. It is important that everyone has a chance to voice her thoughts and opinions.

“Nobody judges you,” Shauna says. Otherwise she wouldn’t come. Bible study is a safe place where volunteers facilitate experiential learning through listening to each other. Bible studies are not a teaching time. Rather, they are a place to offer what the Bible has to say, rely on the Holy Spirit, and, as Elsie says, “trust God to keep what is worth keeping in their lives.”

Fiona Kamphuis is a student at Canadian Mennonite University in Winnipeg and is doing a practicum at the MB Herald for one of her courses this year. She lives in Abbotsford and visited DoorWay during her Christmas break.