As the world goes about its daily affairs, a 16-year-old girl named Cynthia finds herself pregnant and alone. Once in a seemingly happy relationship, Cynthia now faces physical fights, yelling, profanity, and substance abuse. Coming from a broken home where her parents did not stay together, she feels she has nowhere to go. After leaving the home she shared with her mother and grandmother, she discovered her father would not allow her to live with him due to her pregnancy. Despite having no family support, shelter, food, or employment, Cynthia believes she can be a good mother to her unborn child.
Finding Hope at Florence Crittenton
Cynthia is smart, driven, and loving. Desperate for help, she discovered Florence Crittenton through internet searches. Her father brought her to the youth maternity residential facility, hoping they could repair their relationship while Cynthia learned valuable skills in caring for her infant daughter and finishing her high school education.
A Shot in the Dark
While attending school and participating in community recreational activities, Cynthia found a new sense of hope. Thanks to a partnership created by Florence Crittenton with a local gym, she started weekly Taekwondo classes while her child napped or was supervised by instructors. This experience boosted her confidence and rekindled her dreams.
A staff member at Florence Crittenton introduced Cynthia to the Host Home program. This initiative involves volunteer community homes housing pregnant or parenting youth aged 16-24, supported by Florence Crittenton case managers and services. Though apprehensive, Cynthia was intrigued and wanted to learn more. She mentioned a connection she had formed with the Taekwondo gym staff. Nervously, she agreed to ask her instructor if he would consider hosting her and her baby.
A New Beginning
Cynthia’s instructor discussed the possibility with his family, and after a few conversations with Florence Crittenton staff and a home safety visit, they agreed to host Cynthia and her baby. Cynthia was beyond excited about the prospect of being part of a family again. Grateful for the support she received at Florence Crittenton’s youth maternity home, she was ready to move on to the next step. With Florence Crittenton’s assistance, she and her child moved into the host family’s home.
Building a Future
The host family welcomed Cynthia with open arms, helping her find a job nearby and discussing enrollment in secondary school to further her education. For the first time in a long while, Cynthia felt a sense of confidence and freedom. The host family, having been teen parents themselves, understood the challenges she faced and were committed to helping her achieve her self-determined goals.
Regularly discussing new challenges that come with single parenting and family conflict, Cynthia and her host family grew close. Cynthia recognized how far she had come and how much she had changed in such a short period.
A Message to You
If you have a spare bedroom, a desire to make a difference in someone’s life, and a good bit of patience, the Host Home program could be for you. The path to hosting is simple: hosts must be at least five years older than the youth, have a clean background check, a spare bedroom, verifiable income, and complete at least 16 hours of training. Hosts report learning so much from their youth and love knowing they have provided the support they wished they had received in similar situations.
Join the Host Home program and help transform lives like Cynthia’s. Your support can provide a safe and nurturing environment for young mothers and their children, giving them the foundation they need to build a better future.