By Jenny Beatrice, Director of Communications, US|Toronto Region
For more than 40 years, Rose of Sharon Services for Young Mothers in Newmarket, Ontario, Canada (part of the new US | Toronto Region) has been a place that welcomes – without prejudice or barriers – women navigating pregnancy and motherhood. Established in 1985, the organization now serves more than 300 young mothers and children each year across nine cities and towns in the York Region.
Supporting pregnant and parenting mothers ages 14–29 and children from birth to age six, Rose of Sharon offers practical assistance, emotional support, and opportunities for growth in a safe and nurturing environment rooted in dignity and respect.
«Our work is dedicated to upholding the dignity of young mothers and their babies, offering compassionate, faith-informed support as they build stable and hopeful futures,” Executive Director Deanne Kukulewich shared. “We are committed to honoring the dignity of young mothers and their babies by walking hand in hand with them in faith, compassion, and hope as they pursue their God-given potential and build brighter futures. »
At the heart of Rose of Sharon is a commitment to helping mothers set goals, build confidence, and create strong futures for themselves and their children. The organization provides all services free of charge, ensuring that young mothers can access the support they need without barriers.
Programs and services include food support, clothing and baby essentials, trauma-informed counseling, child minding, peer connection opportunities, and educational support. Through an on-site high school partnership with the local school board, young mothers can continue their education while receiving the support they need to care for their children.
Counseling services are client-centered and trauma-informed, offering crisis support, referrals, and assistance in navigating complex systems and services. Programs like Talk Café create opportunities for peer connection and community, helping young mothers realize they are not alone in their experiences.
The organization also addresses practical needs through food security initiatives, including a pantry, food delivery, and cooking classes. Rosie’s Closet provides maternity clothing, baby supplies, and essentials in a boutique-style environment that seeks to preserve the women’s dignity.
Children are cared for in a nurturing child-minding and early development space where they can learn, play, socialize, and participate in activities while mothers receive guidance and support in infant and child development.
The spirit and ethos that guide Rose of Sharon remain deeply connected to the charism of Our Lady of Charity of the Good Shepherd.
«As an organization, we want to stay connected to the Good Shepherd because our humble beginnings were rooted in serving with compassion, faith, and care for others, and those same values continue to guide and strengthen our mission today,” said Kukulewich.
Aura Reynoso, a Rose of Sharon staff member, reflected on how the Good Shepherd mission continues to inspire the organization’s work.
«It reminds us of the discipleship of Zeal that St. Mary Euphrasia taught us. She taught us to serve with love, tenderness, and dedication,” Reynoso said.
Reynoso also spoke about the transformative impact of the organization’s programs on the young mothers they serve.
«Moms feel connected while becoming empowered with knowledge and support,'' a-t-elle déclaré. ''They grow more courageous as we build tunnels of hope together. Our mothers know that their lives and the lives of their children truly matter to us. »
Board Chair Susan LaRosa emphasized the importance of continuing to respond to the changing realities facing young mothers today.
«We remain committed to our mission by adapting to the evolving needs of young pregnant and parenting mothers and by continuing to offer care that recognizes each mother’s worth and provides the support necessary for her to pursue a hopeful future,'' a-t-elle déclaré.
For Board Director Bob Interbartolo, the sense of belonging and community within Rose of Sharon reflects the heart of the Good Shepherd mission.
«For years I have had the privilege of watching everyone come together to welcome new participants and engage with fellow workers and volunteers to create a ‘milieu of belonging’ in which everyone can grow,” he shared. “It is like this strong sense of collaboration and community is in the DNA of the organization. »
He added, “Being a part of Good Shepherd gives us the foundation to build upon this aspiration and, with the broader support of the Good Shepherd network, community and team can deepen to something far more transformational. »
Supported by volunteers, students, community partnerships, and the enduring spirit of the Good Shepherd mission, Rose of Sharon continues to be a place where young mothers encounter compassion, belonging, and hope — and where brighter futures begin.
Discover more about Rose of Sharon ici.
