I see myself growing as a mother and increasing my understanding of being independent through the life skills and parenting support groups.
Before I came to Sasha Bruce, I was living between households in DC, Maryland and Virginia. None of the places I stayed offered me any sense of stability. I was experiencing a lot of different emotions being pregnant and I had lost motivation with trying to achieve my goals of receiving my high school diploma and furthering my career in Cosmetology. Additionally, I never thought I would ever be in this situation and even questioned how I would be able to do all of these things while being a young mother.
I was still living with extended family members when I gave birth to my daughter. I knew I needed to find stable housing for my new family. I couldn’t give up because I wanted better for myself and my daughter. I had to learn how to be independent in a very short time period and noticed how my bad choices, poor listening skills and need to do things my own way and gotten me into the current situation.
I found out about Sasha Bruce Youthwork while I was at the hospital giving birth. I did not have a place to go and I knew that the hospital could not turn me away if I appeared sick. While I was in the emergency room, I asked to speak with a Hospital Social Worker to get contact information for programs to help me and my daughter. It was at that point that I was introduced to the Sasha Bruce Youthwork program, Olaiya’s Cradle. I spoke with staff and told them about my situation and was immediately scheduled for an interview.
I am happy to report that on May 9th I officially became a resident of the Olaiya’s Cradle Independent Living Program! Since being in the program, I have been working with my primary counselors, Ms. Aishya and Ms. D, to achieve my goals. Among other lessons, I am learning how to listen and how to express my concerns more effectively.
I see myself growing as a mother and increasing my understanding of being independent through the life skills and parenting support groups. With my career, I plan on returning to school to get my Diploma at Ballou STAY High School as well as enrolling my daughter into day care. I am grateful for the help that this program has given me because it is allowing me to create a better life for myself and my daughter in a more stable living environment.