Turning 18 is the legal entrance into adulthood, but it does not suddenly make a teenager wise, self-sufficient, and independent. Still, some parents are eager to kick their newly adult kids out of the house — kids like “Izzy.” Unsure of what to do on her own, Izzy bounced around for a while. Eventually, she pitched a tent in the woods, a makeshift roof over her head.
The nights got colder. Izzy shivered in the dark, cradling her growing belly — she was pregnant. She imagined caring for her baby in her tent without heat, without four sturdy walls, totally exposed to the wind and cold. She knew she couldn’t stay there much longer.
So Izzy reached out to Second Story for Young Mothers. Not only does she now have warm, safe, and stable shelter, she is creating a life full of possibilities for herself and her child. Working with her case manager, Izzy enrolled in various benefits and other support programs, including one that provides books for her baby. She has health insurance, and even created a resume so that she can progress in her career after her baby is born. Izzy is eager to continue learning through Second Story for Young Mothers. She hopes to be a good mom, further her education, find a better job, and get her learner’s permit so she can drive a car. With the support of Second Story for Young Mothers, Izzy’s anxiety about where to raise her baby was relieved. Now, she can face her future with hope and expectation.