Check out this story from Maine Children's Home, a partner program of United Way. Your donations support this program and many others across the county.

I am a current student and anticipated graduating senior at Waterville High school and the Teen Parent Education Program. These schools and programs have been instrumental in my ability to not only graduate from high school under unique and challenging circumstances, but to thrive in a personalized setting specific to my situation in order to move on to post-secondary education.

My goals include furthering my education in order to provide for my family, especially my child—a son who is due this summer. I believe that it is critical to my personal and financial future success, and to the well-being of my child, that I am well-educated and considering a future career path which can help me be a better parent, an active member of my community and a productive member of society.

I wish to model for my son, as well as prove to myself and my family, that I can be a future two-year college graduate and a parent who overcomes the challenges that exist as a young adult dealing with anxiety and depression challenges for several years along with my pregnancy. My son depends upon a parent who can both financially support him, as well as be strong during demanding situations of life’s ups and downs.

My goals include continuing to access my family and professional agency supports, the helpful programs at KVCC, and to be an Occupational Therapy Assistant as a career path. Things will be a challenge, yet I have already used my determination, desire and family support network to overcome difficulties. I have improved my school attendance after missing many days over the past few years and continue to see my counselor for my anxiety and depression.

I also worked hard to bring my school grades up to passing grades with academic abilities which earned me honor roll status at times, all while battling diagnosed emotional difficulties that sometimes caused my grades to suffer. Furthermore, high school classmates still considered me a leader and a kind person—I was named Captain of my cheerleading team in Winslow on two occasions the past two years.

The Teen Parent Education Program has motivated me by providing a program of education designed around my specific needs, such as encouragement to attend school, motivational support, counseling for careers/future aspirations plus important pregnancy and parenting programming.

Yet for me, the most heartwarming and favorite part of attending the Teen Parent School has been the feeling of support and not being alone because other young teen parents/pregnant students have been so open and caring in sharing their advice, supports, and experiences with me to help and guide me in my circumstances.

I can only hope to one day be successful enough in my role as a parent and in a career to be able to give back in some tangible way to this necessary, life-saving and future-helping program.