Due to much-unexpected family circumstances, I was awarded custody of my grandson. While I accepted the responsibility willingly, I had to have child care so I could return to work. Friendship House was recommended to me by my supervisor and I went to enroll my grandson. Waiting list? Alternative care? These were not concepts I was prepared to face, and as I sat in the Friendship House lobby I watched a miracle unfold. The staff came together and created a plan for me that would enable my grandson to become a student the following Monday. I was able to maintain my employment and raise my grandson until my son was able to resume his parental responsibilities.
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When my mom brought me to Friendship House I was three years old. My little brother was six months old and had been diagnosed with leukemia. My dad moved out, and my mother had to take my brother to Eggleston and me to Friendship House and keep working to pay for everything. My brother came to Friendship House as soon as his doctors said it was okay. He is now a student at Dalton State College and I am in the Army, serving in Alaska. As a child, I didn’t understand what quality, affordable child care meant to my mom while she struggled to keep it all together for us, but now I appreciate all that Friendship House made possible for us as I am expecting my first child in the fall.
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When I graduated from high school I was not interested in continuing my education. In fact, I had no idea what I intended to do. I interviewed for a position as a classroom teacher at Friendship House and began work in the Toddler’s classroom. While employed, I worked with all age groups in the Center and moved into the Lead Teacher position. My co-workers encouraged me to continue my education, and I enrolled at Dalton State College with a major in Early Childhood Education. In the meantime, I had a child of my own and he went with me to work. While I was enrolled in college, the Friendship House administration and Board of Directors encouraged me and gave me the flexibility to continue working and going to school. After graduating from Dalton State and completing my degree at West Georgia College I am now employed in the local school system as a second grade teacher. I continue to volun-teer my time with Friendship House as a CDA Adviser for current staff working on their credentials.
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The summer before my junior year in high school, I got pregnant with my son. I did not appreciate how important my education was to me and my child’s future, so I began to withdraw from school. My school counselor stepped in and she intervened on my behalf. She talked to the staff at Friendship House and had my son enrolled when he was six weeks old so that I could continue with my education. I had to work after school and my son was able to stay for a full day in child care at a cost I could afford to pay. I graduated from high school, I am fully employed, and my son is going to kindergarten in the fall.
