The stories in this book are about people’s joys and struggles, and above all about people’s strength. There is little I can add by way of introduction, the stories speak for themselves.

I can tell you about the experience of working in the Better Beginnings Better Futures neighbourhoods for myself. It has been quite the experience! Never before have I worked with participants, volunteers and staff who have given so freely of their time, care and skill. Where the boundary between work life and private life is little more than a blur because there are no clients or professionals simply neighbours, people who care about children, families and communities. I have learned a great deal, not so much factual information, more like wisdom, a wisdom that comes from the gentle guidance of those around me to see the world a different way - and that new vision is filled with creativity, affirmation and endless possibilities, where everyone has strengths, where mistakes and failures are just steps in the process to success.

There have been many times when tears have flown freely, when situations have seemed impossible to change, where the pain in a child’s life has been unbearable. But, there have been more moments of joy where beyond all hope things work out, where the impossible happens, where people refuse to give up, when a child flourishes.

I cherish the experience I have been given working with Better Beginnings Better Futures. Few people have the opportunity to not only make a difference but to be made differently.

Leslie McDiarmid
Project Coordinator