Servus Credit Union demonstrates its steadfast commitment to RAHHS by generously contributing to our cause for providing affordable housing. Beyond its financial support, Servus is also poised to offer invaluable financial literacy workshops.

In 2024, Right at Home collaborated with Servus to deliver two valuable workshops to improve our tenants’ financial literacy. One such tenant who benefited from these workshops was Ismahan.

Ismahan moved into our Westwood building as a single mother and newcomer to Canada in February of 2021. Prior to living with Right at Home, Ismahan recalls feeling isolated and disconnected from community. She was spending a disproportionate amount of her income on rent and had no nearby amenities to get her groceries. Ismahan had not learned the English language yet, felt there was no support for her, and found it was difficult to ask for help.

Today, Ismahan’s son is eight years old, and she feels she does not have to stress about paying her rent, as her home is affordable. This has become even more important to Ismahan because in 2023, she had to stop working due to her health, and is awaiting life-altering surgery. The Westwood building is near amenities, and not having to struggle to make ends meet, has allowed Ismahan to connect with the community. Her English is strong and she is a great communicator. Most of all, Ismahan highlights the community within her own building, an environment that she feels Right at Home has helped foster. She’s utilized the tenant support services Right at Home provides, and feels the staff are accommodating, patient, understanding, and responsive when she has concerns. Within the building, her neighbours have developed their own community. “We all go together to Costco,” she says, reflecting on weekly grocery shopping she does with her neighbours, in which carpooling is common. She can also rely on her neighbours for childcare when needed, and the children in the building have become friends.

Ismahan is one of 30 tenants who attended our financial workshops in partnership with Servus Credit Union. With their help, tenants learned how to prepare budgets, recognize financial scams that target low-income people, and put aside retirement savings.