“I was 17 when I fell pregnant with my first, and I was petrified. My family voiced their opinions, tried to force me to end the pregnancy, and called me and my baby a screwup. My best friend of seven years told me that if I kept the baby, she would never speak to me again.
I was isolated and didn’t know what to do, or who to talk to. I approached one of my high school teachers, who reassured me that it was all going to be okay, and I should talk to the case manager of Karitane’s Young Parent Program. I was so afraid, but took a chance, and it changed my life for the better.
I still remember the first phone call we had. I was left in tears of joy that I’d found someone who didn’t judge me for my situation. Instead, she offered support and kind words to me: words I hadn’t heard the whole pregnancy – a simple ‘Congratulations, everything will be okay, you’ve got this, and we will look after you.’
Walking into the first session with the program was such a relief – seeing six other young mothers who instantly became my cheer squad. I progressed through the course with so much support and guidance. I could start my journey to formal education, something I was told I’d never achieve due to being a ‘child having a child’.
I’ve come a long way since I was 17. A lot has changed, and I cannot be more grateful for all the support and help Karitane has provided. I have accessed many services through Karitane, from the KYPP program to the Residential Service, and now Village Connect.
I have been able to gain further qualifications using the units I completed while doing the KYPP, while also accessing and completing multiple parenting courses to better myself and my parenting toolbox for my children.
Within the last three months, I have completed the Being a Parent course, which was provided to me by Village Connect. It has been incredibly beneficial for me and my children, and I could not recommend it more to every parent I talk to. It helped me realise I just need to be a good enough parent, and not a perfect parent. It let me reflect on my own childhood and develop the skills and attitude I needed for my children.
Recently, I have had a tough time with my five-year old, Jack. I noticed a lot of change in his behaviour and development. I reached out to my KYPP case worker and to Village Connect, who helped me organise appointments with an Occupational Therapist, a Speech Therapist and other supports for my son – all things I wouldn’t have been able to manage by myself. They supported me, gave me information about how to best support my son, and have been a shoulder to cry on and always willing to listen to me talk through my worries.
Without Karitane’s help and all the wonderful employees and services they provide, I can assure you that I would not be where I am today, as a strong, resilient mother of two wonderful-yet-crazy children who always keep me on my feet and push me to better things. For the first time in an extremely long time, I finally feel stable and proud to be me: a young single mother with two children, with Karitane as the village that’s helping me raise them to be the future.
I have been able to overcome so many adversities, and to support my children, knowing that I have the support of Karitane KYPP and Village Connect. I have cried through writing this because I am so grateful for all that Karitane has done for my family. Karitane and the health professionals do not get the acknowledgment and credit they deserve. I have my own story, and everyone has theirs, but I can assure you that everyone who can access and receive the support that I have had through Karitane has become a better person and parent from it. I owe everything I am to their programs and support.”
