A woman who once felt like a failure says her fellow single mothers need to be treated with dignity and respect.

That’s the idea behind the Homeward Bound program, initiated by WoodGreen Community Services.

Today in East Toronto, the local non-profit, and representatives from all levels of government, announced the creation of a new assisted housing facility for single mothers and their children. Jacqueline Gordon, a former participant in the Homeward Bound program, delivered a tearful speech about the importance of providing single mothers with a safe and encouraging environment in which to raise their families.

Gordon shared heartbreaking details about being kicked out of her home and losing her most precious belongings - photographs and childrens’ drawings.

“You end up in a shelter, beaten, shamed and humiliated,” Gordon said. “And the worst, I felt like a failure to my family.”

Gordon participated in the Homeward Bound program when it started in 2004. Homeward Bound uses a holistic approach to get single mothers in charge of their own lives. In addition to housing, it helped Gordon earn a diploma and find a career, provided childcare during classes and found her a job placement upon graduation.

Gordon describes receiving her law clerk diploma as the most gratifying experience of her life.

“Failure was not an option once I saw hope in my children’s eyes,” she said.

She has been with her job in the financial industry for two years and is proud of her two children who are both studying at York University.

WoodGreen President Brian Smith would like to see Gordon’s success story repeated through his project. The location of the actual facility cannot be revealed, since many of its participants will be fleeing from abusive and dangerous situations. Smith claims it is the first fully integrated program for getting single mothers from homelessness to self-sufficiency.

“We want them to lift themselves out of poverty,” Smith said. “Everyone should have the opportunity to… create their best future.”

The program is funded equally by the federal and provincial governments. The City of Toronto also participates. Thornhill MP Peter Kent announced that the project would receive $4.4 million to create 44 housing units. It is the first of 23 housing projects in Ontario to be created by September.

Don Valley West MPP Kathleen Wynne spoke on behalf of Jim Watson, the minister of municipal affairs and housing. Wynne said that she’s very happy that the province is co-sponsoring the first wave of projects.

“We’ve got to get moving to get these units built,” Wynne said.

The City of Toronto will contribute by waiving property tax and building fees. City Councillor Pam McConnell called today’s announcement “a real celebration.”

She says she would like to see the program continue on and help more families.

“We’re able to do a second phase and we hope for a third and fourth,” McConnell said. “Many young women need this safety net to get on with their potential.

Gordon said this program helped her lead her family in success.

“It’s showing your children that it’s not where you came from, but where you’re going from now on.”