When Marisol was fourteen, she had a lot of things to worry about.  Entering her sophomore year of high school, she was concerned about taking care of her one-year-old son, Miguel.  Her mom had quit work, so Marisol could stay in school, but Marisol was desperate to find a job.  “I had to help my mom out.  She sacrificed so much for me, and I was worried that we wouldn’t be able to make rent.” said Marisol.

Marisol enrolled in New Moms’ Community Outreach Program, and began attending one of our parent support groups in the evening.  “I wanted to learn everything I could about being a good mom,” she explains, “I didn’t want to take the easy way out and just let my mom raise my son.”
With the help of her case manager, Marisol secured daycare for Miguel, so her mother could go back to work.  Her case manager also helped Marisol get her work permit and find a part-time job so she could help her mom pay the bills.

During Marisol’s junior year of high school, Miguel began to suffer from chronic ear infections.  New Moms helped Marisol find a specialist that accepted her insurance.  As a result of Miguel’s illness, Marisol began missing school—so much that she began to fall behind in her classes.  She had always been a good student, and was determined to graduate on time.  On nights that she wasn’t working or attending New Moms’ parent support groups, Marisol began attending night classes.  Now, at age 17, Marisol is on track to graduate—and Miguel is on track to begin preschool in the fall!

“My son and I have to thank New Moms—no matter what challenge we face, I know the staff at New Moms and my support group want me to succeed.” 

Marisol hopes to attend community college, where she will pursue a career as a math teacher.