Creating Brighter Futures for Generations to Come

In June of 2010, LaShondra was the first in her immediate family to graduate high school.  She joined 30 other young mothers from the YWCA's School-Age Parents program who celebrated that milestone last year.  When she crossed the stage at Franklin High School she was so excited, she had chills.  But there was a time when LaShondra wasn’t sure she would graduate.

Nearly four years ago while attending Franklin High School, LaShondra found out she was pregnant.  She was 15.  Because the YWCA’s program has case managers on campus at seven local high schools, LaShondra was able to reach out to YWCA program staff.

LaShondra had been a good student but she soon found the challenges of balancing school work and the responsibilities of parenting overwhelming.  When she shared that she was finding it difficult to stay in school, her case manager recommended looking into an accelerated program that would allow her to still take care of her child while finishing high school. As classes were held in the evenings, LaShondra would still be able to work while earning her diploma.

Over the years, LaShondra experienced many challenges but has found the support and encouragement to help her overcome every obstacle she faced. Within the last two years she lost her mother to illness.  Just months before graduation, she and her son became homeless.  With her case manager's help, Lashondra was able to find her own apartment and to continue her schoolwork. 

“The YWCA helped me stay on track and got me back in school,” LaShondra says, “I realized that I needed a diploma to be able to take care of my child.” Of her determination to graduate, she says, “ I did it for my baby and for my mother.”