Through the years, I participated in all types of infant care and parenting classes at Brighter Beginnings, and I learned so much about my baby. My support group of other teen moms helped me through a lot of issues because it was a nonjudgmental place to vent.

Christina’s Story

I became pregnant at the age of 16. Before that, I was practically a straight-A student, but after I got pregnant, that didn’t matter to anyone. All I heard was, “How could you be so stupid?” “How are you going to go to college?” “You couldn’t even make it to graduation without ruining your life!”

When I was that pregnant teenager, scared and shunned by everyone, I met a Family Advocate from Brighter Beginnings. I always tell everyone that she was my angel, because she literally came to my school, and told me what I needed to know: The world was not over, and neither was my life; I was simply about to take responsibility for another life.

Through the years, I participated in all types of infant care and parenting classes at Brighter Beginnings, and I learned so much about my baby. My support group of other teen moms helped me through a lot of issues because it was a nonjudgmental place to vent.

There were times where I didn’t have money to purchase things, such as diapers, and those were given to me from Brighter Beginnings’ Emergency Closet. Also, my children received gifts during the holiday seasons when I couldn’t afford to buy them anything.

Here’s more good news: I went to high school, maintained a high GPA and graduated on time.

The service and support I received from Brighter Beginnings was truly wonderful and left an imprint on my life I can never forget. I learned to be a better parent and in addition to that, I learned to be a better person. I know I always have a home here, and I visit as often as I can. I even took some of the girls who were older and we started our own support group, so we can always have someone to talk to. I am in college, studying for my degree in Human Services, so that I, too, may give back to those in need, just like Brighter Beginnings gave to me.

Learn more about our Teen Family Support program.