How the Old Ladies Home Bursary Helped Gloria Patricia Start Over — and Thrive.
Just shy of fifty years after the Old Ladies Home closed its doors, its legacy of compassion lives on through a bursary that empowers women to build new beginnings.
When Gloria Patricia Maya Torres and her family arrived in Canada, she carried with her more than just luggage — she carried the weight of starting over. While adjusting to a new culture, she found herself wondering if it was too late to begin again.
“There were moments I doubted myself,” Gloria Patricia remembers. “I wondered, Am I too old to start over? Will anyone believe in this new path I’ve chosen?”
Then she discovered the Old Ladies Home Bursary, a fund rooted in the same compassion that began on Broad Street half a century ago.
At first, Gloria hesitated to apply but she ignored the voice inside of her telling her she was too old for this and applied. That single act of courage changed everything.
“The bursary didn’t just ease my financial stress,” Gloria says. “It told me that someone believed in me — in my dreams, in my potential — even after fifty.”
In April, Gloria completed her program and stepped into a new role as Program Lead for L’Arche Connects at L’Arche Saint John, where she helps create inclusive opportunities for people with intellectual disabilities.
Her journey — from self-doubt to leadership — beautifully reflects the enduring purpose of the Old Ladies Home Fund: to provide care, dignity, and opportunity for those who need it most.
“Your belief in me has made a lasting difference,” she shares. “Not just in my education, but in my life.”
From Past to Present, the Spirit Remains the Same
The story that began with a group of women on Broad Street continues to ripple through generations. From sheltering the elderly to uplifting learners, the Old Ladies Home Fund reminds us that when a community cares — deeply and persistently — its compassion never fades.