REMEMBERING PEGGY ANN

Over the years, Peggy Ann's work touched the lives of countless women in need. Below are just a few stories, written by women that came to Street Haven for support. 

PEGGY ANN WAS A MOTHER TO ME - Scamp 

I left home at thirteen. When I met Peggy Ann I was fifteen years old. She brought me off of the street and took me under her wing, so to speak. My father gave her legal guardianship of me 'til I was twenty-one. I learned over the years that Peggy Ann was dedicated to the cause - meaning Street Haven and the women in it.

I found myself drawn more and more to what she was doing. I educated myself and learned to work in the field. I do know to this day that if I hadn't met Peggy Ann my life sure would have been different. She showed me the true meaning of caring, honesty and working hard to achieve whatever you wanted to do in life. She was like a mother to me, and still is.

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A SMALL LADY WITH A BIG HEART - Bernadine
I came to Street Haven January 7, 2004 from abuse from my daughter-in-law. When I arrived here I did not know who to trust, who to speak to, which way was up or which way was down. I was hurting inside. How will I fit in... I am black, from a strange land and I had no idea about shelter living here. It took a while to adjust. What I have learned has now made me a positive woman and I am on my way to gaining my independence. My dreams are now becoming real. I have changed me, my behaviour and my attitudes, and I learn to listen and to work on a goal. Street Haven motivated me and has helped me to build up my self-esteem.

I used to run away because I couldn't live the shelter life. This is when I started using drugs - when I was in pain. I thought the drugs would help me forget my past. But I would always return to Street Haven. I started to look in the mirror and what I saw I didn't like. I had to get off the drugs. I didn't like the drug control. I had to stop. I felt God speak to me, and I returned to Street Haven once again.

Miss Silvia, who works at Street Haven, saw through me. She knew that something was very wrong. She reminded me that they loved me and worried about me, and that they would help me if I let them. This is when I opened up for the first time. It worked.

At Street Haven, I received help from Counsellors, an Addiction Case Manager, a Medical Doctor and a Psychiatrist. Someone traveled with me to all of my appointments. They even went with some of the other women to their appointments with the courts, immigrations, doctors and family needs. They taught me coping skills, about addictions and abuse, and how to take care of ourselves. They turned the negatives into positives.

Today I am drug free. Today I am not being abused. Today I am a better person with a positive attitude and positive behaviours. Today I have an apartment. Today I am proud to visit with my son and grandchildren. Today I feel loved and blessed.

I could not have done this on my own. I could not have done this without the fantastic ladies at Street Haven who helped me in every way possible. Thanks to all the staff at Street Haven. When I thought there was no way, you helped me find a way to make it all possible. Thank you Peggy Ann, a small lady with a beautiful mind and big, loving heart.