For the first time since the program started, Creative Kids records show that over time the program has funded both a mother and a daughter.

It was eight years ago. Tatum was still a teenager when she was funded to take voice lessons in Moose Jaw. Fast forward to the year 2019, her daughter, Ember, 5, has been funded to take part in dance lessons up until June 2020.

As a child, Tatum loved music. Her mother was part of the church choir so as a young girl, Tatum had watched her sing and decided she’d love to try it out. Finances were tight so Tatum’s mom submitted an application to Creative Kids to support voice lessons for Tatum. “My mom is a single mom so it was really a blessing for us to get the support at the time. We are really appreciative of that.”

Apart from learning how to control her voice, Tatum says the experience was amazing as it helped her build confidence and be more open. “I was really a shy person as a kid, so it did help me to break out of my own shell and be more open,” she says, adding that she now sings for fun and less afraid of standing in front of people to sing.

“I knew it was the right fit for my daughter.As a single mom, I want to be able to provide these opportunities for my kids, and Creative Kids was so helpful to me when I applied at a young age.” -Tatum

Tatum says the support she got from Creative Kids encouraged her to apply for her daughter, Ember.

When asked how she feels about being a Creative Kid once, and now applying for her daughter, she says she thought it was a great opportunity for Ember to learn dance.

“I knew it was the right fit for my daughter. As a single mom, I want to be able to provide these opportunities for my kids, and Creative Kids was so helpful when I applied at a young age,” she says. “It is good to know that there is a program out there that can help a single mom like me.”

She concludes by saying that she’d love her daughter to have fun while learning how to dance. “I just want her to engage with the arts and not be shy and to break that wall.”