When Mulky arrived in Canada a few years ago, she carried with her both heartbreak and hope. After losing her husband, she made the courageous decision to start anew—determined to give her three children a safer environment and brighter future.
Today, Mulky is a single mother of three—two of whom are thriving in Ignite Academy, enrolled in Grades 6 and 2 for the 2025–2026 school year. While she pursues her education at St. Clair College, taking prerequisite courses toward a science-based program, she also works as a professional interpreter—a role she discovered with help from a Family Support Worker (FSW) who recognized her multilingual skills and connected her to the opportunity.
Despite the daily challenges of balancing school, work, and parenting, Mulky’s unwavering dedication to her children’s safety and well-being shines through every decision she makes.
Overcoming Barriers
Life in a new country hasn’t been easy. Mulky has faced the relentless demands of single motherhood, financial strain, and the struggle to provide consistent meals and stable housing for her family.
When her rental home became unsafe due to a severe rodent infestation, she made the difficult choice to break her lease. The decision led to a period of temporary shelter living, forcing her children to transfer to a new school far from their original community at Begley.
But even through upheaval, Mulky stayed connected. She continued working closely with the Family Support Worker, sometimes bussing her children back after school so they could remain part of the Ignite Academy community and maintain those trusted relationships.
Finding Support and Hope
Through Ignite Academy, Mulky and her family found more than after-school programming—they found stability.
The program provided academic support, ensuring her children had help with homework and could continue to learn and grow. It also offered financial assistance and food security, easing some of the family’s most pressing challenges.
Perhaps most importantly, the Family Support Worker helped Mulky find flexible employment, allowing her to continue her studies while raising her children. Her openness and trust in sharing her struggles with the FSW meant she could access the right resources and support—exactly when she needed them most.
A Brighter Future
Today, Mulky’s family is stronger, more confident, and more hopeful. She sees the difference Ignite Academy made every day in her children’s lives.
“I saw so much confidence in my kids. They learned a lot and always received the help they needed, especially with homework. As a single mom, the program made things much easier for me. I really miss the service, because now it is harder to manage school for myself while also picking up the kids and supporting them.”
For Mulky, Ignite Academy wasn’t just an after-school program—it was a lifeline that gave her the space to study, work, and simply breathe, knowing her children were safe, supported, and cared for.
“I want people to know this is the best program I’ve come across in Canada. It gave me peace of mind because when my kids came home, their homework was already done and they had eaten dinner. All I had to do was get them ready for bed. It made life so much easier and gave me a sense of relief as a single mom. This program truly supported both me and my children, and I am very grateful for it.”
United is the Way
Mulky’s story is a testament to what’s possible when families have the right support behind them—programs like United Way’s Ignite Academy that meet families where they are and empower them to move forward. Her strength and determination reflect what we believe in: that when a community comes together to support one another, everyone has the chance to thrive.
Click here for more information about Ignite Academy.