Help for single moms finding lots of recipients

A new low-income apartment building in Regina could be a new beginning for young single mothers. The social agency Ranch Ehrlo opened the building in September and the program is already full and helping moms and kids achieve their dreams.

Nineteen-year-old Katrina Olshanoski and her son Taiyen take some TV time. It's a welcome break for the busy single mother. The social stigma associated with teens moms has faded, but the challenges remain.

"Going to school every morning and getting him to day-care on time and me still getting to school on time, getting him dressed in the morning, myself, everything ready, that's a challenge," says Olshanoski.

That's why the teen mom moved into this apartment building. With funding from all three levels of government, Ranch Ehrlo bought the building and invited moms and their babies to move in. This program offers a lot more than an affordable place to live.

Program director Shelley Sayer says she helps the young moms get whatever help they need, but the moms also rely on each other.

"That's a big part of what we are trying to do here is develop some kind of community spirit so that these girls meet each other, support one another, and help each other out where they can," she says.

"I always have somebody to talk to and if I have a problem," says Olshanoski, "like say if I needed a ride, Shelley and them would be there for me in order to get to school, or get to day-care, and they're here all the time, like, if I just call, they call me back within five minutes, and I like that."

Ranch Ehrlo says there is a huge demand for this type of housing. So the program is aimed at short-term assistance — they'd like families to stay no longer than 18 months. It's working well for Katrina and her son, she's ready to buy a home, and they hope to move on soon.