Navigating Leave, Money & Work: A Workshop for Expecting Parents

Mat leave shouldn’t be confusing, overwhelming, or full of 2am Google spirals. You deserve clear information, practical tools, and a space that actually supports you as you prepare to step away from work and into this new chapter. 

Mat Leave Made Simple is a 1.5-hour virtual workshop created to help you understand your options, organize your plan, and feel more confident navigating leave in Ontario. We’ll cover how Employment Insurance (EI) works - including maternity, parental, and sickness benefits - and walk you through exactly how and when to apply. We’ll also talk about your workplace rights, what conversations with your employer can look like, and how to plan for the financial shift that comes with taking leave. 

You’ll receive a beautifully designed downloadable workbook, space to ask your questions live, and a $25 credit toward our 2-week Journey workshop series if you decide to join us for the deeper dive. 

Tickets are $25 - and every single dollar goes directly into our Community Access Fund, which helps families who are low-income or facing barriers access The Journey for free. That means your registration doesn’t just support you - it supports someone else too. 

This workshop is perfect for expecting parents (whether it’s your first baby or not), partners, support people, or anyone navigating the realities of parental leave in Ontario. 

Hosted by Shannon and Alba - social service mamas, CYW + MSW duo, and co-founders of Simple Smyles - this session is evidence-informed, heart-centered, and designed for real life. 

Learn something. Help someone. Grow together. 

We can’t wait to see you there.

Shan & Alba