After graduating from high school, Jennifer entered college. She is majoring in criminal justice and interning at her local police department."I was 15 years old when I got pregnant. I didn’t even know how to change a diaper and now here I was having a baby. I was scared and confused out of my mind, what would become of me? I had a rough pregnancy; I was always sick and depressed. My baby was born premature and only weighted 4lbs. 11 oz. I cried every time I had to enter the NICU. It made matters worse forme to hear the nurses whisper such things as, “What is this little girl doing having a baby?” You just learn to ignore people.
I give much credit to the PEARLS program for helping me become the lady that I am today. Before I was in PEARLS, my self-esteem was very low but the help and support I received has made me come a long way from that point. I am very grateful for this program because I’ve gained so much knowledge about relationships,“discipline and, most important, life itself. I’ve learned to have a positive outlook on life no matter how bad it gets. I celebrated my son’s second birthday the same day as my high school graduation. It was a special coincidence with a great meaning behind it, telling me that this was meant to happen. It proved to me that, yes, I am strong, determined young woman who can overcome anything that comes my way.”