SINGLE MOTHER’ Riette Gordon reads with her two daughters Krista, ieft, and Lisa. The mother of two attends the Self-Help Group for Single Mothers, which offers support and a Wit vs rudeness PAGE 50 NEWS phate Torry Pelors etwork of information. The group meets Monday and Friday evenings. Rag. price on Drapes, Bedspreads and Quilts fe) OFF Your one siop cleaning cenire Sict-up and Delivery F ree Taking down & re-hanging North & West Vancouver FEO YS pry cLEANERS 987-2431 987-3233 648 Queensbury Ave., N. Van. 49 - Sunday, February 24, 1985 - North Shore News Fashion sense PAGE 53 Over 4,000 single N. Shore mothers REBUILDING confidence and self-esteem are the first healthy steps at coming to terms with being a single mother, says April English, voiunteer with Self-Help for Single Mothers group, sponsored by North Shore Family Services. A single mother of twins, English says, ‘tthrough my own experience, Mve found the whole agjustment perind is a fot smoother if you're feeling secure."’ The three-week-old group meets on Monday and Fri- day evenings, bringing together women who have recently separated or divorc- ed, single mothers who have never married and widows. According to a census done by Statistics Canada in there are approximately 4,000 single mothers on the North Shore, and that number is believed to have climbed since then, says North Shore Family Services coordinator Brenda Greenberg. . **One of the most impor- tant U ings about the group is that people don’t think they’re an isolated case,” English says. ‘‘They’re not alone.” Volunteer Gwen Kendrick, also a single mother who lead. the self-help group, says ‘“‘we all need help and support at one time or another. For these women to be reaching out is a big step.” Topics for meetings are unlimited, the two women say. ‘Because it's an ongo- ing group, the structure of By BARRETT FISHER | discussion is wide wpen,” English explains. ‘*The women’s needs are dealt with then and there, and any planned agenda would be put off." But basic topics that will be covered include self- esteem, parerting, job mar- kets, family Jaw, com- municating, assertiveness, intimacy and sexuality. ‘Phere are personal things th: women have to deal with,’ Kendrick explains, “like being alone. And the group, although only three-weeks-old. seems to be heipirg -~ the women are becoming friends and meeting outside of the group."” “There are feelings of loss, apathy and alienation 225 East 2nd St., that have to be dealt with,” English adds. English says when she came to Vancouver seven . years ago, she was pregnant, so her entire experience here has been as a single mother. Similar to Kendrick, it took English some time to read- just to her new = cir- cumstances. “But now that I'm back on track, I’m teaching asser- tiveness training, and paren- ting courses and I'm involv-° ed in a housing program for single parents,’’ English says with enthusiasm, ‘‘My growth has come from parenting alone. More women are needed for the Monday night class, but both classes are open to newcomers. Childcare is provided at the :neetings. The group mets at North Shore Neighbori:ood House, North Vancouver at 8 p.in. To reg- ister, or for further informa- tion, call Brenda Greenberg ai North Shore Family Ser- vices, 988-5281. OFF DRAPERY FABRICS REUPHOLSTERY All workmanship Call us for a FRE uaranteed esiimate OFF Alt Window Blinds % 4" minis — 4/2° micros vertical, pleated, woven woods. FREE MEASURE ; FREE INSTALLATION 48 years European and Canadian Experience.: Lowes! price guaraniee iN HOME SERVICE | Mon. thru Sat. 9-5:30 and evenings When only the best will do... Consult serving» owe Nerth & West Vancouver Ne CO | Has reRions pe 926-8819 armani