My name is Lisa and I am the mother of a 4 year-old daughter named Rosa. I grew up in Oregon with my mom and two little sisters. When I was around 11 or 12 year old my mom and I kind of reversed roles. My mom was pretty disconnected and just not around very much. So, I had to become the mom to my little sisters.
When I was 13 and my sisters were around 8 and 10, I started rebelling by drinking and hanging out with the wrong people. Two months before I turned 14, I found out I was pregnant. A couple of months later, one of the teachers at the Helensview School talked to me about Insights and how they work with young parents. So, I went to Insights and I am really glad I did, because they really helped me a lot.
I got counseling from Insights every week that helped me deal with all of the things going on in my life. They taught me about parenting, and gave me food boxes and other things that I needed because I didn't have any money. They helped me get into school at the EVEN-START Program, where I got my high school diploma. At Even-Start, I was asked me to mentor a 13-year old girl who had been talking with her friends about getting pregnant because she was afraid that her older boyfriend would leave her unless she had a baby.
I spent a lot of time talking with her about what it really means to be a mom at 13. And, I told her that even if she had a baby, her boyfriend probably wasn't going to stick around. I also took her home with me so she could see what being a teen mom is really like. How it's not easy, especially if you're doing it alone. You're the only one that is responsible for your child so you have to be there all of the time. The best thing about that experience was that she didn't get pregnant. She stayed in school and now she's getting all A's and B's. I'm really proud of that.
Just before Christmas last year, I needed Insights' help again when Rosa and I were almost homeless. We'd been living with my cousin. I was paying her rent, sleeping on her couch, but one day she just came and told me that we couldn't stay there anymore. So, I called Insights because I knew that they would help me. Julia and Tiffany found an apartment for me and Rosa through Insights' HOMESAFE Program - I got my very first apartment! They gave me furniture and other household stuff, and because I am doing really well now, I actually have some things to give back to Insights so that they can give it to another teen family.
I just graduated at the top of my class at Oregon Trades Women Incorporated because I really want to learn to become a skilled carpenter, three-months ago with their help and because of my experience, I got a job at Home Depot that I really like. It's kind of hard because my schedule changes every week, so I'm always working different days and never the same shift. It's not easy figuring out good childcare for Rosa, but I'm really proud to have this job.
It's hard for me to put into words, all of the things that Insights has done for me and my little girl. But, I'll try… to me, Insights has been more than just an apartment or a food box. I feel like Insights has given me a new perspective; a new life, really. They gave me a home; they gave me and my child a way to get out, a way to move forward into a new life. So, that's all I have to say, except, thank you for supporting Insights because they didn't just help me, they help a lot of young parents and kids.
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