Fundraising campaign helps Summerside woman realize her dreams
Monica Winn has always dreamed of becoming a school bus driver, and now the single mother may get to realize that dream, thanks to a group of supportive women taking an employability course at the East Prince Women's Information Centre in Summerside.
Strangers to each other just a few weeks ago, Winn said the group in the Women Moving On program has bonded through shared stories of struggle.
"Really makes us think about where we want to be and what we want to be doing," she said.
When Winn shared her story about wanting to sit behind the wheel of a school bus, the class listened and then got to work with an online fundraising campaign to help Winn cover the costs of a three-week training program.
April Walfield said she was more than happy to get the ball rolling by organizing a Go Fund me campaign for Winn.
"I told her, well we can do this and get a little bit of help out there for you, and show the support
that this group does have. I just said, 'Ok let's do it.'"
Donations have come in — one quarter of the $1,000 she needs for her training, along with messages of support, something Winn said she didn't believe was possible.
"It's very emotional for me. I feel very encouraged and very supported here, and I can't believe the people that are supporting me on that page. It's amazing ... I'm pretty excited," said Winn.
Course instructor Nancy Beth Guptill says the support among the women in the class is all part of what the Women Moving On program is about.
"If it wasn't for this group she would still be maybe stuck at home wondering, 'Where am I going to be heading?'
So this group has really helped her feel inspired," said Guptill.
