Before coming to Florence Crittenton, I was living in Big Timber, Montana.  I was struggling with staying in school, using drugs and spending time with people a lot older than me that were not a good influence.  I was living with my Grandma because my mom didn’t want anything to do with me.  When I was 13 I discovered I was pregnant and at that point Child Protective Services got involved in my life.

I was sent to Florence Crittenton by my CPS worker when I was 13 weeks pregnant.  I was nervous at first but the staff made me feel welcome and were really kind to me.

I am so glad I came to Florence Crittenton.  The support I have received here has been really helpful.  I learned so much from the different parenting classes I went to, took part in counseling, and was grateful for  the help that is available 24 hours a day from the staff that work with us.  I think the biggest thing that I have gained is that I am now an awesome mother.  I know if I hadn’t come to Florence Crittenton that I would have kept going down the same path as I had been going down and that I would have had my baby taken away from me.  She is the best thing that has ever happened to me and I love her so much.  I am determined to make sure that she doesn’t have a childhood like I have had and that she gets to stay with me.

I have been going to high school in Helena and am catching up and plan to continue school when I go back home to live with my Grandma.  I have had some wobbles but I am doing well with my sobriety and feel like I have a good relapse prevention plan.  I am nervous and excited to leave Florence Crittenton.  I  feel confident that I know how to take care of my child and I know what she needs to be happy and healthy.

My dream is to graduate high school and get my own home and give my daughter a good childhood. I am so grateful to the team of people that have helped me and my daughter.  Everyone at Florence Crittenton, my cps case worker and the teachers at Helena High School have been amazing, so supportive and have helped me so much to get to a place I need to be.   I have grown so much from being here.