|
|
|
 |
Justin has faced some difficult situations at home during the last year, and
through it all, has maintained a positive attitude, and remained stable in his
academic and social activities. He has missed several school days because of
illness and has had to make up the missed work. Despite these setbacks, Justin
works hard, helps others, and continues to participate in after-school events.
Justin is always polite and helpful and has worked hard to maintain normalcy in his life.
Christin has cerebral palsy, but doesn't let her condition define what she
can or cannot accomplish. Cerebral palsy has affected her mobility, but not
her determination or character. Christin has taken advanced courses, is currently
tackling geometry and has maintained a 4.0 GPA. When asked what gives her the
strength to persevere, Christin says she wants to fit in and be as normal as
she can. She is a quiet leader, leading by example, always carrying herself
with poise and politeness.
Christin is a positive influence on others. She role models what it means to
be kind and compassionate. She is active in her church's altar guild and has
volunteered at a homeless shelter. Christin does not want her physical condition
to define her. She plans to attend college and become a pediatrician or physical
therapist.
Pamula found herself pregnant, homeless and with no family support at the age
of 17. She found her way to Bridgeway, a shelter for pregnant youth, worked
part-time, and graduated from high school in May 2004. Three months later, Pamula
was accepted into Family Tree Housing and Family Services' transitional housing
program and moved into her apartment in October 2004. She has enrolled in parenting
classes, found a better paying job, and completed a series of informational
classes through Family Tree's "Kickin' It" self-sufficiency program.
Pamula has applied for an AmeriCorps position and hopes to work with youth coming
out of the state foster care system. She has been accepted into the aerospace
program at the University of Colorado and will begin classes in August 2005.
Pamula has been a mother for only a short time, but has made great strides
towards realizing her dream of being a good parent, a positive role model for
her son, and becoming self-sufficient.
Nykeshia's history includes living in shelters with her mom as a child, multiple
broken homes, physical abuse, and pregnancy at a young age. She sought out support
and treatment through Urban Peak when she was 6 weeks pregnant and took steps
to change her life. Nykeshia started with regular prenatal visits and took care
of her unborn baby. She worked with a therapist and joined a new community at
Bridgeway Homes. She obtained her GED and began classes at Red Rocks Community
College in the Early Childhood Education program.
Nykeshia is a natural leader and positive role model at Urban Peak and Bridgeway.
She has positive parenting values and morals that she shares with children and
other young mothers. She obtained an internship and excellent recommendation
from the childcare center on the Red Rocks campus.
Nykeshia has a mission statement and she lives by it. Her mission is to provide
a future for her unborn daughter and to teach her to be self-sufficient and
independent, to better her future and work towards fulfilling her career goals.
Nykeshia's mission is also to become honest, trustworthy, strong, open-minded,
compassionate, and understanding.
DESERAE DOMINGUEZ
AGE 19
NOMINATED BY RITA CALDWELL, YOUTH PROGRAM SUPERVISOR, FAMILY TREE HOUSING AND
FAMILY SERVICES
Deserae became pregnant at 17 and with the help of her mother, found her way
to Bridgeway, a shelter for pregnant youth, where she stayed until getting into
Family Tree's Youth Transition program. During the 5 months she was at Bridgeway,
she participated in counseling services, attended parenting classes, worked
part-time and earned her GED.
In August 2004, Deserae entered Family Tree's transitional housing program.
Since then she has continued taking parenting classes, as well as starting college
courses at the Community College of Denver, working to complete the basic courses
required for a nursing degree. She also began working as an AmeriCorps intern,
where she mentors youth, ages 16-21, as they transition out of the state foster-care
system. In addition, Deserae has completed a series of classes through Family
Tree's "Kickin' It" self-sufficiency program.
Deserae has been a mother for only a short time, but has made great strides towards realizing her dream of being a good parent, a positive role model for her son, and becoming self-sufficient.
 |
||
Americans with Disability Act (ADA) Notice |
||
