Immacula’s Story: Finding Family at Mission Possible

I walked by Mission Possible on Hastings Street many times before I went inside. Although a neighbour had told me I should check them out, I was nervous.

After nearly four years out of the workforce, one day, I finally got the courage to walk through the doors. I was up front with them about what I needed: I told them that I only want to work with women. Due to my past trauma, I was uncomfortable working alongside men.

I was happy to learn that they were open to that! In fact, Mission Possible has a whole branch of their Employment Readiness Program called the “Women’s Track”, designed to support women and non-binary people.

From this very first day I felt seen and heard at Mission Possible. Everything had changed for me.

I have a complicated history of substance use, mental health challenges and trauma due to an unstable upbringing and workplace issues. I know I’m not the only one, but all this makes me feel alone sometimes. Finding Mission Possible has not only helped me find community, but it has also provided the environment I needed to continue with my 15 years of sobriety.

I never imagined I’d be picking up garbage, but it humbled me and has brought me a lot of satisfaction. As a member of the Women’s Track Clean Team, I worked in the Downtown Eastside with an awesome group of ladies picking up litter, needles and more from the neighborhood. It felt good to do something important for the community and be a part of a team.

And in addition to the part-time work, Mission Possible offered me so much more. They helped me get my resume fixed up, provided lunch and pantry items to help out at home, supported me in finding coping skills for my severe anxiety, and encouraged me to find a path back to meaningful work in the health care sector where I had worked for many years.

Six months after graduating from the Employment Readiness Program, I am taking steps to restart my career in health care. I plan to work as a Home Care Aid, providing much needed care to patients in their homes.

The people at Mission Possible are like a second family to me. Today I feel confident, cared for and hopeful about returning to work.