91原创 resident Jaime Pederson is once again hoping to give back to the women鈥檚 program that turned her life around more than three years ago.
When Pederson arrived at the B.C. Women鈥檚 Hospital Fir Square centre, she was addicted to drugs and pregnant.
鈥淲hen I went in there I had nothing,鈥� Pederson said. Now Pederson鈥檚 three-year-old daughter is thriving, Pederson herself has been clean and sober since her time at Fir Square and she has been working and giving back to the community she lives in.
Because she credits Fir Square with changing her life for the better and offering such 鈥渉uge鈥� support, she has made it her goal to give back to them each year at Christmas.
This will be her third year of bringing items for the pregnant women at the centre.
She spends all year collecting bottles to buy little goodies and useful items.
This year, she bought pairs of magic gloves and socks for the women. She has gathered magazines for them to read and some toiletries, including shampoo and toothbrushes.
But she is hoping the community will come through again this year to help give the women a new start. There are 12 beds at the centre.
Pederson is looking for toothbrushes and toothpaste, as well as other toiletries. She is also looking for gently used women鈥檚 clothing, maternity and regular, as well as baby clothes for newborns to three months. They also would appreciate any sweets as well.
鈥淟ast year, when I went there I recognized a women I knew from Hastings Street. When I brought them the goodies and spoke my truth to them she told me I made her Christmas,鈥� said Pederson.
鈥淪he told me, 鈥業f you can do it, then so can I.鈥� It鈥檚 been an awesome response from these women.鈥�
For Pederson, going back each year is important.
鈥淚t鈥檚 grounding,鈥� she said.
She believes the key to change is in stopping the cycle of addiction when children are young, so they don鈥檛 grow up with it.
鈥淚t鈥檚 a family disease and we need to break the cycle. For my daughter, she is growing up in a clean and sober household and I think that鈥檚 important,鈥� Pederson said.
Fir Square offers support and care for pregnant women struggling with substance abuse. It offers withdrawal management during pregnancy and post-partum, caring and non-judgmental counseling, assistance with housing and medical care as well as parenting groups.
鈥淥ften, women come from up north and drop everything to be here, so they come with nothing,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 know that to feel cared for at Christmastime for these women is huge.鈥�
If you would like to help, you can drop off items to the 91原创 Times office, 20258 Fraser Hwy., until 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 11.
Pederson is also looking for help to organize next year鈥檚 campaign. She can be reached at jaime.mompederson@hotmail.ca.
