'A turning point in my life': Two young mothers share their experience with the activity program, TINNA Aid
TINNA Aid recently celebrated its 10th anniversary. The activity program supports single parents who are out of the workforce and facing long-term social challenges. The program aims to empower parents, improve quality of life for them and their children, and support their active participation in the community.
At the anniversary celebration in Gerðuberg, two young mothers of two shared how TINNA Aid supported them over several years as they rebuilt their lives. Both women utilized a wide range of support and worked diligently with the help of TINNA Aid's social workers. As a result, they successfully got their lives back on track.
Birna Hólm first learned about TINNA Aid in 2018 from a Reykjavík City social worker. She was out of the workforce at the time, having suffered a heart attack in her 30s. When she joined TINNA Aid, she had recently given birth to her younger son, who accompanied her during her first months in the program. "I attended most days. Something was always going on, and the program quickly became part of my daily routine," she says.
TINNA Aid provides a diverse program four days a week, focusing on self-empowerment, social skills, and community participation. Birna participated in education and courses covering personal finance, parenting skills, and fine arts. One course stood out above the rest: "The codependency class was a complete lightbulb moment for me. The very day I attended that class, I ended my abusive relationship. It was a complete turning point in my life."
Through TINNA Aid, she also received support to seek additional help, including JANUS rehabilitation and the mental health team, which diagnosed her with bipolar disorder. "That is where I learned to understand myself better and could finally focus on my well-being in a meaningful way."
A community of mothers and the power of peer support
Birna notes that the support and companionship of other mothers in similar situations made a profound difference. "It created a safe space, which is incredibly important. We were all in a similar position despite our different circumstances, making it easy to connect."
TINNA Aid counselors supported Birna for several years, gradually phasing out her participation as her life stabilized. She eventually began volunteering at Konukot – Shelter for Homeless Women, completed her studies at the Counseling School of Iceland (Rágjafaskóli Íslands), and entered the workforce. Throughout that journey, she could always rely on Tinna Aid's counselors—support she credits with making all the difference because "the door was always open." Today, she works on the Reykjavík City outreach and counseling team (the VoR team), drawing on her own experience and training to support people experiencing homelessness.
Birna encourages anyone with the opportunity to join TINNA Aid to take it. "Admitting you need help makes you feel vulnerable, but it is entirely worth it. There is no commitment in just trying, so I warmly encourage you to give it a chance."
'I found belief in myself through TINNA Aid'
The second young woman, who chose to remain anonymous, was only 19 and pregnant with her second child when a Reykjavík City social worker referred her to TINNA Aid. She was living in difficult social conditions while waiting for rehabilitation to address an ongoing health issue. Despite having little faith that it would make a difference, she decided to try TINNA Aid while awaiting surgery and rehabilitation. "I was deeply broken—lost, afraid, and without any real direction in life. I had learned to distrust people, especially the system. Taking this step was huge for me."
Her first lesson at TINNA Aid was learning how to trust. Coming from a broken home, she had experienced trauma she had never worked through. Gradually, trust grew, and she became ready to accept the support available to her. "I was surprised to find people there who genuinely cared about my well-being. They did not judge me for my past or circumstances, but saw potential in me when I could not see it myself. Over time, I began to understand myself and see how to build a better life for my children and me."
The counselors provided the support network she never had
The woman stayed with TINNA Aid for four years. During that time, she received support in leaving an abusive relationship and counseling through the subsequent custody dispute. "I had no support network of my own, so the TINNA Aid counselors became that for me. I knew I could always turn to them."
Today, she is in a completely different and far better place. Following a successful surgery in 2023, she entered the workforce and now holds a job she values. "I barely recognize the person who first walked through the doors of TINNA Aid. I feel an inner calm and self-confidence I had never experienced before. I am more open, secure, and clear about my future. I do not know where I would be today without the opportunity to participate in TINNA Aid."
Nearly 200 people have received support
TINNA Aid is a joint initiative of the Reykjavík City Welfare Division and the Ministry of Social Affairs and Housing. Since its launch, 195 parents have participated in the program. Most are single mothers who, like the women featured here, describe the counseling and support from TINNA Aid as a turning point in their lives. Regular participant surveys show high satisfaction rates with the program. In 2025, for example, 92% of participants reported being very or fairly satisfied with the counseling provided by TINNA Aid.
