Bringing Back Laughter, Calm and Hope. 

Thirty years ago, Samira was 8 years old and living at Armagh with her Mom and younger sister, Sabrina. One night her Mom told them to bundle up, they were going outside to make a snowman! It was a school night. It was dark. They looked at each other with stunned surprise. Their Mom insisted, “It’ll be fun! The snow is fresh! Let’s go!”  

Samira recalls a crisp night. The only light coming from the porch light. They made a little snowman out in the garden and it was magical. They had so much fun,—and their Mom captured the moment with her camera.

 “Moments like this were few but deeply treasured,” Samira shares, “moments where we could be free and safe and just have fun together. Any time we look at those pictures now, it’s like we can still smell that crisp air and melt into those feelings of home, safety, and freedom.” 

“I remember crafting these little picture frames with our faces in them. We made borders with old puzzle pieces—all us kids sitting around a big dining table in the room with a piano. Thirty years later we still have them. One of me, one of Sabrina. And they’re in reach, not packed away somewhere. We were only at Armagh for 6 months, but it had such a BIG impact. Through so many small things and gestures, I felt worthy.” 

“During one of our “boutique nights” (a space for residents to “shop” for items), my mom picked out a new year’s mug that was donated. She loved this mug, which read ‘The best is yet to come!’, it brought her hope. We still have that mug, she won’t ever give it up. It’s sitting in our cupboard right now. That mug, 30 years later, still represents so much. It’s like an heirloom!”  

“Armagh was ‘home’ because of the people. I started grade 3 mid-year—this was the second or third time for me doing that—and I remember the Armagh staff introduced me to my teacher and some kids at the school. Day one I made friends. My teacher believed in me and believed in my strengths. Armagh was this community, not blood-related, and they cared about me and my success.” 

“Armagh gave me safety and dignity, the confidence to go to school and raise my hand. Leaving Armagh was bittersweet, but the consistency and community it offered, sustained us on the way up to our next chapter.”  

In November 2025, one of our current residents built a snowman in the very same spot where Samira and Sabrina once did. Moments like these remind us of the beautiful full-circle journeys happening at Armagh and inspire hope for the bright futures our residents will carry with them when they move forward.

One of our current youth created a snow globe alongside our Child and Youth Workers, just as others had in years past. These simple joys remind us that growth happens in many forms, and each moment of connection helps shape the strong, imaginative futures our participants are building for themselves.