A Student Mother, a CIS Story
I am a former student of the Catoosa Performance Learning Center, also referred to as the PLC. I started attending the PLC when I had to go live with a guardian after both my parents were incarcerated. During this time, I was introduced to Communities In Schools. I was welcomed by the Communities In Schools site coordinator at the PLC with open arms. The first thing I was asked was “Is there anything you need?” I had been struggling with my vision and mentioned this to my site coordinator. The next thing I know, I was given a voucher for a free eye exam and a free pair of glasses which I still have today. Among other things, Communities In Schools helped support me by providing help with health care, dental care, counseling, food and clothing. I was also selected to be sponsored at Christmas. I received warm clothes and shoes. I am not sure what I would have done without the support of Communities In Schools.
At the age of 16 I became pregnant and found myself homeless. I was eventually placed in the custody of my aunt and uncle. I remained at the PLC and during this time my Communities In Schools site coordinator introduced me to their Parents As Teachers program, also referred to as PAT. As a young, soon to be mom, I did not know anything about raising a baby so I joined the PAT program at the suggestion of my CIS site coordinator. I learned so much from being in the program. My parent educator helped me track by baby’s development to ensure she was on track and developing properly. I also learned ways to handle her behavior in a positive way. Anything from temper tantrums to just not wanting to eat. If not for the education and support from my parent educator I am not sure what I would have done.
Parents As Teachers also helped me with necessities that I needed to care for Ansley. I remember attending baby showers where I was able to get clothes, bottles, diapers and diaper rash cream. There was this one incident when I first had my baby that she started losing weight. A trip to the doctor revealed that breast feeding was not working for her and that I needed to place her on formula. Due to the high cost of the formula and not wanting to be more of a burden to my aunt and uncle, I contacted my parent educator and the next day I received 11 cans of formula. Communities In Schools also has helped me with Christmas for by child and that really helps take a load off my shoulders.
Currently I am living on my own, working 2 jobs and going to school. I am majoring in Business Technology at Georgia Northwestern Technical College and plan to graduate in Summer 2017. Although things are tough right now, I know that with the support of my family and Communities In Schools, we have a bright future. I don’t believe that Communities In Schools truly understands how much they have not only given me but how much they have taught me. It’s not only me and Ansley building our future, but it’s together with Communities In Schools. Just knowing that someone is there to lend me that helping hand is so helpful and I couldn’t be more thankful. I want to thank Communities In Schools for their continued support and the help they provided during a critical time in my life. I hope someday to be in a position where I will be able to pay it forward. Thank you for the opportunity to share my story.
At the age of 16 I became pregnant and found myself homeless. I was eventually placed in the custody of my aunt and uncle. I remained at the PLC and during this time my Communities In Schools site coordinator introduced me to their Parents As Teachers program, also referred to as PAT. As a young, soon to be mom, I did not know anything about raising a baby so I joined the PAT program at the suggestion of my CIS site coordinator. I learned so much from being in the program. My parent educator helped me track by baby’s development to ensure she was on track and developing properly. I also learned ways to handle her behavior in a positive way. Anything from temper tantrums to just not wanting to eat. If not for the education and support from my parent educator I am not sure what I would have done.
Parents As Teachers also helped me with necessities that I needed to care for Ansley. I remember attending baby showers where I was able to get clothes, bottles, diapers and diaper rash cream. There was this one incident when I first had my baby that she started losing weight. A trip to the doctor revealed that breast feeding was not working for her and that I needed to place her on formula. Due to the high cost of the formula and not wanting to be more of a burden to my aunt and uncle, I contacted my parent educator and the next day I received 11 cans of formula. Communities In Schools also has helped me with Christmas for by child and that really helps take a load off my shoulders.
Currently I am living on my own, working 2 jobs and going to school. I am majoring in Business Technology at Georgia Northwestern Technical College and plan to graduate in Summer 2017. Although things are tough right now, I know that with the support of my family and Communities In Schools, we have a bright future. I don’t believe that Communities In Schools truly understands how much they have not only given me but how much they have taught me. It’s not only me and Ansley building our future, but it’s together with Communities In Schools. Just knowing that someone is there to lend me that helping hand is so helpful and I couldn’t be more thankful. I want to thank Communities In Schools for their continued support and the help they provided during a critical time in my life. I hope someday to be in a position where I will be able to pay it forward. Thank you for the opportunity to share my story.