Dear Readers - A distraught single mother's plea (January 9 column), brought a huge supportive response. She asked for ideas to improve her life - she's struggling with a minimum-wage job, earning hardly enough money to care for her three children and herself, none for extra-curricular activities, little enough time to launder their clothes.

Some of your ideas were locally based (she lives north of Toronto) but they might also inspire other communities, as well as give this mom some things to explore:

#1-I once taught two brothers who were sharing one pair of winter boots and only one could go outside for recess. Staff rallied and we outfitted the family as needed. Please encourage her to speak to the children's teacher.

Is there a second-hand shop such as The Salvation Army store or Value Village? She can apply for a free card that gives further discounts at Value Village.

There's no shame in asking for and accepting "charity." It takes a village to raise a child.

#2-I strongly suggest she request a meeting with the social worker assigned to the school as they can help her make the connections she needs for support. Good for her for asking for help.

#3-I'm a volunteer with extracurricular activities that are sponsored by the city (baseball, hockey, soccer, etc.). We will not refuse anybody based on financial constraints. All children are invited to join and participate.

However, we don't advertise this fact, as we don't want people who do not require assistance to take advantage. (Ellie says - The message here is to check into city-sponsored activities that allow participation even if you can't pay).

#4-Food Banks, Community Centres, Salvation Army, United Way, Red Cross all have resources for people who need help. They cannot give her money but they can help in other ways, which would help in the long run.

#5-I suggest she visit the Society of St. Vincent de Paul in any Catholic Church that has it. She doesn't have to be a Catholic. The Society serves everyone in need, no religion required. They will help her with a monthly $30.00 coupon for groceries that she can use at any No Frills store. They can also provide her with clothes for her kids or they can give her a clothing coupon that she can use at any Goodwill store.

She can call St. Michael's Cathedral (or other church and ask for the central office number of the Society, to find one nearby.

#6-Other Churches - for example, The Innisfil Community Church on Innisfil Beach Road north of Toronto, gives clothing out to families for free every Thursday. A lot of young families have been helped. Best of luck to her.

#7-Since she says she was injured at work, she may be eligible for disability support from the government. Also, there are programs to re-educate people unable to perform their job due to injury (like Second Career). Funding for support during this may be available. Once she's a student, she may be eligible for counseling for any depression she's experiencing.

If she's able to seek support from the children's father, she should. He's equally responsible for their children's well-being.

#8 - I, too, am a single mom of four kids and never had family around to help.
I was able to put the kids into Boy Scouts and Girl Guides because they have a program that helps people who can't afford these things.

I also did different taste tests for companies, to give me extra money. I got the kids to do their own laundry so that they realized they have to help out as well.

Find out what the kids are interested in and ask if there are activities that help people partake if they can't pay. It does make a difference in the kids' lives.   

Being a "team player" due to those activities helped my daughter later get a job with an airline.

Big Brother and Big Sister organizations helped out as well.
There are so many things out there, don't let the kids get lost as they are only this age once.