Sarah’s Story
Sarah’s journey with Choices for Youth (CFY) started when she was 16 years old. Sarah moved out of her family-home to live with a friend who later introduced her to CFY.
“At 16, I got pregnant and stopped using drugs. I attended the CFY healthy baby club sessions, where we would get tips and information for being a new mother, peer support, and a voucher to buy milk and fruit to give me and my baby the nutrition we needed. On the morning of March 6, 2014, my beautiful son was born. When my son was born, I was able to get support from the Momma Moments program.”
When Sarah’s son was one year old, she relapsed and her son was taken out of her care and placed with her mother. As a result of the help she received from Momma Moments staff, she moved into a new home and was able to begin the process of getting her son placed back in her care quite quickly.
“My son and I would go to the Momma Moments program on weekends, where I would get weekly support from staff and meet with other moms who I will consider close friends for the rest of my life…With the help of Momma Moments. I got my son home.”
A couple of years later, Sarah relapsed again and her son was placed with her mother for the second time. Once again, the staff from Momma Moments helped Sarah get the help she needed, and when Sarah reached a healthier space, Momma Moments supported her in obtaining her GED and in reconnecting with her family and son.
“Slowly we began rebuilding a relationship again…The pandemic was a blessing in disguise, because of schools being closed, I could have more visits with my son, and thus reunification happened faster than it ever would have. In May of 2019, my son came home.”
Sarah’s son went back to school which gave Sarah the time she needed to work on improving herself. Sarah has since gained employment and has mended her relationship with her family.
“My son is happy and thriving at home. My wonderful boyfriend has been by my side for seven years and [for] four of them we have been clean together. I truly do credit Choices for Youth for the way my life is now.”
