Ica's Story

Ica’s last year of high school was spent on a campground in rural Quebec – the home of her aunt, uncle, and grandmother. Without central heating, manual labour was required to chop wood and keep the fireplaces lit. Ica’s relatives were living with disabilities after a car accident, so much of the heavy lifting fell to her. She kept busy, balancing daily housework with remote schoolwork.

A few days before her high school graduation, Ica got the news that her mother had suddenly passed away. This also meant she lost her home back in Ottawa.

It dawned on her that building a future for herself would be difficult in her situation. “As much as I love my family in the country, they were really isolated. Without me driving, I was stuck there with them. I knew I couldn’t grow as a person.”

She reconnected with family friends in Ottawa and asked if she could stay with them temporarily. They took her in and helped her take some steps toward independence, like opening a bank account and getting a much-needed glasses prescription.

Ica called shelters until a bed finally became available. She shared a room with three other women for around nine months. “For a while, I was the youngest one there. I kept my head down. I learned that if I didn’t say anything, nothing bad would happen to me.”

One day, she learned about the YMCA of the National Capital Region’s housing programs and submitted an application. In May 2025, she was accepted into the YMCA’s Second Stage Housing Program for Youth. “That was the first time I had a space to myself since my mom had passed, so that was tremendous.”

Y staff helped Ica stay on track toward her goals and regularly checked on her well-being. They also encouraged her to explore her favourite creative outlet, painting. “Just knowing that people cared for me in that way, it was really helpful.”

She made friends through the program’s life skills workshops, and particularly enjoyed the cooking lessons. She also reminisced on fun outings, like going to a waterpark and having picnics. “We were still allowed to be youth.”

Ica heard about Your Job Story – a YMCA program that provides youth with fundamental skills as they enter the professional world – through friends she made in the housing program. Soon after completing the program, she landed her first retail job. “Your Job Story really taught me everything I needed to know. I couldn’t have been more lucky to be in that program.”

She moved into her own apartment in January 2026, where she lives with her cat, Turnip. Reflecting on how far she’s come, she states,

I’m proud of surviving. I’m proud of not losing myself through everything I’ve been through.

Now, she’s excited to share her story, explore new hobbies, meet new people, and maintain the friendships she’s made along the way.