Abby’s journey with Children First began two decades ago when she was just a child herself, attending the program in 2003.
Now 21 years old, Abby is employed with Children First as a Kitchen Assistant. Her role there is more than just a job—it’s a testament to her resilience and determination. After completing the Job Skills Training program through the Families First Institute, Abby found her place in our agency’s supportive environment. But her path to this point wasn’t easy.
Abby has faced her share of challenges, including two devastating losses in her family. This was such a tumultuous time in her life that she dropped out of school. Yet, even in the face of hardship, Abby never gave up on herself. Last year, while pregnant with her daughter, Valencia, she earned her high school diploma. Determined to create a better future for her children, Abby also completed a program to become a Certified Nursing Assistant, obtaining her license just weeks after Valencia was born. She went into early labor, delivering her daughter as a “preemie” a month ahead of schedule.
Family has always been at the heart of Abby’s life. Her mother, Bridget, who has worked at Children First for more than 20 years, is a pillar of support. Bridget, along with Kwame, a Family Advocate at Children First and her mother’s partner, helped Abby navigate the challenges of postpartum depression after Valencia’s birth. Abby’s younger sisters, Lilianna and Sofia, also play an essential role in her life, caring for her daughters and helping whenever needed.
Abby’s two daughters, Valencia, now seven months old, and Violet, one year old, are the center of her world. Both girls are enrolled at Children First, where Abby feels completely at ease entrusting their care to the loving and highly qualified staff. Valencia has started sitting on her own, holding a bottle, learned to wave, and is exploring the art of rolling over.
Violet is becoming a social butterfly, thanks to support from our agency’s Early Learning Inclusion services. Abby’s oldest daughter has been recommended for therapeutic support after completing an evaluation with our comprehensive services team and has begun speech therapy.
The family-focused environment has been instrumental in the development of her children, and Abby is thrilled to share that she is expecting her third child early in the new year. Through Abby’s engagement and experiences, she has grown not just as a mother but as a person, learning to advocate for her children and herself with confidence.
For Abby, Children First is more than just childcare for her daughters – it’s a community that has nurtured her growth and the growth of her family. “This is the greatest organization I have ever been a part of, and I will always be grateful for my Children First family.”
For more about Children First, visit https://childrenfirst.org/