Wind of change
It’s me again, Marielle. I am very happy to write to you a second time. In my last letter, I told you about my tumultuous years with mental illness. It was a very dark period of my life. Fortunately, since my stay at the YWCA Montreal, I have found a healthy and balanced life.
It has been quite a journey towards my better life. Thanks to the support, the guidance, the friendship and the immense generosity I received from the YWCA Montreal, I was able to come out from the darkness. The help I received made me realize that life was worth living.
Today, I work as a receptionist at Carrefour Jeunesse Emploi. Imagine, out of 125 people who applied, I got the job! My renewed confidence allowed me to achieve this goal.
I have been living in a housing cooperative for fifteen years now, which is located in a warm and friendly neighborhood. I have a group of friends I can count on and I spend most of my free time doing activities and hobbies that I enjoy. I also get involved in my community, for instance participating in the Scotiabank Charity Challenge and chairing the Board of Directors of the organization Au Coup de pouce. Throughout the years, I even received awards for my accomplishments: a Women of Distinction Award in the category “Coup de Coeur”, presented by the Women’s Y Foundation and a Horticultural Achievement Award for my community garden.
My motto is: “a healthy mind in a healthy body”. I find that walking is the best remedy for calming my mood swings. I always walk, rain or shine; these active moments allow me to relax and clear my mind.
Living with a mental illness is no damnation. It is possible to pull through and take charge of your life, especially with the quality of services and programs offered by various organizations, such as the YWCA Montreal. I am the living proof that it works. Today, I am autonomous, confident and free; I am happy! And I wish everyone the same opportunity.
I hope my story will inspire other women and girls to seek help. Women who – like me – need time and support to get their lives back on track. The psychosocial follow-ups and the safe and respectful environment of the YWCA of Montreal saved my life.
I invite you to donate today to support the programs and services offered by the YWCA Montreal. More than ever, women and girls need your help!
A very big thank you in advance for your donation.
Sincerely,
Marielle Ricard
Former participant, grateful for life, of the YWCA Montreal