Sara

Sara was 17 years old when she enrolled in the Young Mom's Self-Sufficiency Program. At the time that she enrolled, she had just recently learned that she was two months pregnant. Sara was a senior in high school, where she was a cheerleader and a 21st Century Scholar. Her mother had dies from AIDS when she was just four years old. Sara was raised solely by her disabled father with no motherly influence in her or her sister's lives. She described her father as controlling and manipulative, and was extremely afraid of how he would react to her pregnancy. Before enrolling into our program, Sara had decided to move in with her boyfriend's family. Her boyfriend of three years, Sam, was away at college. After learning of Sara's pregnancy, Sam's family attempted to coax her into obtaining an abortion. His father was concerned because Sam still had three years of college, and Sara had wanted to attend college to become an anesthesiologist. He was unsure how they would accomplish these goals with such a big obstacle in their lives. Sara and Sam discussed their views on abortion, and decided that they would consider adoption as an option.

Sam's parents were extremely disappointed in this decision and asked Sara to leave their home. Her case manager in the Young Mom's Self-Sufficiency Program connected her with Hannah's House. Hannah's House is a maternity home that provides opportunities for increasing life skills, while providing support during pregnancy. Sara made the decision to keep the baby while staying at Hannah's House. She also decided that she was going to finish high school and continue with her plan to attend college. It was after she made this decision that she decided to tell her father about the news. This was an extremely trying time. Sara bounced ideas and practiced "speeches" with her case manager. She was grateful for the support, and was even more relieved when her father supported her as well.

During her spring semester in high school, Sara obtained a part-time job working just a few hours per week. She used her paychecks to save for a car, an apartment, and future baby expenses. Sara was able to graduate from high school as a 21st Century Scholar, which will pay for four years of college to any school in the state of Indiana. She also obtained a full-time job as a desk clerk in an area motel and continued to work a few hours in the other position. Shortly after receiving her high school diploma, Sara delivered a beautiful baby girl. Sara and Sam were both extremely excited and attached to the baby from the very beginning. Sam decided to transfer his college credits from a school in Chicago to South Bend, so that he could be near Sara and the baby.

While living at Hannah's House, Sara was connected with a parent educator through the Parents as Teachers program. She continues to work with this educator on a monthly basis. Sara really enjoys the program because it provides her with up-to-date developmental information, and tips on overcoming parenting frustrations. This is a program that the Young Moms' Self-Sufficiency Program now provides as well.

Before Sara knew it, her time had expired at Hannah's House, and she was in need of housing for her new family. Working intensively with her case manager, Sara was able to secure an apartment, and create a budget for her new expenses. She continues to work both jobs on a part-time basis. Sara has also started her college studies, and is entering her second semester. She will transfer to a school in Indianapolis to start her studies for anesthesiology in the fall of 2002. Sara is a terrific mother who is always concerned about her daughter's mental and physical health. She maintains a positive and healthy relationship with her boyfriend.

Sara is now 19 years old and has been in the Young Mom's Self-Sufficiency Program for 15 months, and believes that she couldn't have continued on her life path without the support and encouragement of her case manager.

Young Mom's Self-Sufficiency Program assists young mothers to identify realistic academic and employment goals, improve the health and nutrition of family members, increase a personal sense of competence and self-esteem, and foster a healthy relationship between father and children. For more information, contact Brenda Matuszkiewicz, Program Director, at 235-9231 or bkmatus@michiana.org.

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