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Stories

by
Stories
February 6, 2025

“Growing up was tough for me. I lost my mom to cancer when I was very young, and not having her in my life made it hard to understand who I was. 

I was placed with relatives as a child, but unfortunately, those environments were abusive. My father’s violent behavior led to me being placed into foster care, where I remained for most of my childhood. Despite the trauma, I always viewed my struggles through a positive lens, knowing I wanted to give my children the love I never received.

As an adult, I found myself in an abusive relationship. After experiencing mental, emotional, and physical abuse, I knew I had to leave for the sake of myself and my unborn child. That’s when I found a supportive space at Crittenton’s Maternity Program, where I was able to escape the stress and fear of my previous situation. The safe environment gave me the chance to focus on my health and future.

My time at Crittenton helped me realize that taking care of myself was essential—not just for me, but for my children. Through therapy, I understood how important it is to be the parent I always needed. I stopped being burdened by my past and began planning for a future where I could provide stability and security for my kids.

Now, my goals are clear: break the cycle of trauma, create a loving environment for my children, and be the strong, independent parent I’ve always wanted to be. I want to show them that no matter what challenges come their way, they are capable of overcoming them.

One of my biggest achievements has been learning to speak up and advocate for myself. I was once shy and kept everything inside, but therapy helped me find my voice. I also focused on my education and career, and with the support I received at Crittenton, I am now on track to become a nurse and create a better life for my family.

With the right support, I’ve been able to heal and build a brighter future for myself and my children.”

by
blog, Stories
November 13, 2024

 “I was in the middle of my senior year of high school when I found out I was pregnant. A month before finding out, my family and I had just been evicted from our home and were staying in a hotel.  The day I took the pregnancy test, I could only think of myself as a failure. I thought that I wasn’t going to be able to receive my diploma and that my life was over completely. 

I stuck by the phrase “Move with faith, not by sight”.  After researching and looking up resources for days, I found Crittenton on google. And from there it’s like God worked through Crittenton to provide for me and my baby.  I didn’t have to worry about sleeping on the floor any more at the hotel or going to bed hungry. Crittenton provided me with food and support.   

My case manager at the time would encourage me on the days I felt down. It motivated me to keep going with school. On June 14th this year, I was able to catch the train back to Raleigh and I graduated from high school and received my diploma. After graduating high school, I applied for jobs and started working and saved up my money. From there, I knew I could accomplish anything I put my mind to. 

Thanks to Crittenton I was able to attend childbirth & parenting classes so I could prepare myself for labor & motherhood.  Thank you to Crittenton’s chef, she even took the time out of her day to teach myself and the other girls on maternity hall how to make your own baby food. She even taught me 1 on 1 how to prepare a meal for a 6 month old baby. The days that I felt like giving up and quitting, my case managers would always tell me “You got this! It’s going to be okay”. Thanks to their support I kept pushing myself to go to work every day and save money.  

Here I am here 9 months pregnant feeling really blessed! Without faith in God & Crittenton’s support, I don’t know where I would be right now. 

Thank you so much for supporting me, Crittenton!”

by
Stories
October 27, 2023

Krista's Journey:

We have all experienced fights and clashes with our family, but what happens when that leaves you with little support, resorting to couch hopping just to have a roof over your head? This was Krista’s reality. Krista, 25, has been pregnant before and now has a 2-year-old son. With her first pregnancy, she had a lot of support from her mother making sure she could get to doctors’ appointments and even helping her care for her newborn son’s needs after birth. Some months ago, Krista found herself pregnant with her second child – she was going to have a sweet baby girl. She knew that meant she couldn’t keep couch hopping and needed to find her own place. However, with the unborn baby’s father getting locked up, the passing of her own father at the beginning of the year, and now being estranged from her mother, Krista realized she needed help but had nowhere to go. 

Krista applied to live at Crittenton and was accepted into the Maternity Program. Crittenton has been able to provide her with safe housing, consistent meals, life skills classes, and access to prenatal care. Most impactful for Krista, however, has been the chance to begin therapy. She grew up feeling like an outcast in her family and experienced trauma growing up. She was also shot in the arm during her first pregnancy which led to a pre-eclampsia diagnosis. Krista said therapy is helping her work through her PTSD and anger issues she developed. She wants to continue to heal and grow to ensure she is her best self for her children.  

Krista felt the parenting classes Crittenton offers have helped her learn more about how to care for her future newborn. With her first child, her mother took on most of the tasks that come with caring for a newborn. Krista understands that she will mostly be doing all of that on her own with her second child, so she is grateful to learn more skills to effectively care for both of her children. “I’m going to show them love, but not tough love how my parents did. I also want them to know they can come to me about anything. You can come and talk to me. I don’t want my kids to feel unloved, unwanted, or like they’re out here on their own,” she said.  

At Crittenton, she has also become more aware of the vocational resources and opportunities available to her. Her motivation to succeed and provide for her children is stronger than ever, with hopes of owning her own clothing business one day. Crittenton and its supporters have provided Krista with a place to work on her mental health and her goals before she transitions to independence following birth. She feels empowered to believe in herself and provide a better life for her children than she had growing up.  

 

 

 

Image by <a href="https://www.freepik.com/free-photo/parent-spending-quality-time-with-their-children_17805094.htm#page=2&query=mom%20with%20two%20kids&position=18&from_view=search&track=ais">Freepik</a>

by
Stories
March 10, 2021

C-“My Crittenton story has a number of chapters. It starts 14 years ago when I got pregnant at age 16. My stepmother refused to help me, and I refused to live in a house with no heat in the winter. Not with my child. A social worker who had been visiting the house referred me to Crittenton. I applied and got into Sarah’s House, a mother-child program, and I learned to bond with my child born that year.

At Crittenton, I found safety and reassurance that I was OK and that things would be alright. I am still close to Crittenton staff members who were selfless, really cared and were there for more than a paycheck. They taught me how to be a mother, how to feed and bathe my child, and they provided me the parenting I had lacked for the previous six years since.

We lived at Crittenton for more than two years, and they taught me how to live independently with my son. While we were there, I also worked full-time and got my GED.

At Crittenton, I saw a side of caring and social work very different than what many speak to today. Today, my son is 14 and I am completing coursework in social work myself at UNCC.  Crittenton taught me how important it is to pay it forward. 

The Crittenton community continues to be a big part of my life. In fact, I met my best friend there and have many Crittenton friends who I talk to often.”

by
Stories
March 10, 2021

L was 13 years old when she was admitted to our maternity program. She remained in DSS custody due to the incarceration of both of her parents, as well as her maternal aunt and her brother. L’s mother and brother are both addicts. Her brother is serving time for assaulting L while becoming enraged under the influence of narcotics.

On the day that L was admitted, we took her to the emergency room to have staples removed from the head injury. She has had to testify in court and struggles with feeling responsible for his incarceration. Previously “home schooled” by her mother, L made a successful transition to public school. She responds well to our structured and stable environment. She is well-behaved, compliant and respectful. She enjoys spending time in our vocational lab and hanging out with her friends. Despite her young age, she is a very nurturing mother to her son, and she loves to learn all that she can about parenting. She just turned 14 years old.

by
Stories
March 10, 2021

“Crittenton has been a great deal to me and my baby girl. I appreciate all the staff that took the time out to cater to my everyday needs. Although it was a rough and stressful start, it has gotten much better than what I had expected. Thanks for providing me with a service that can’t go without recognition. I’m going to miss everyone that took part in my pregnancy journey, which seemed like a long time.

During my stay here I managed to accomplish housing, education, a job, and responsibility. Thanks to Crittenton, I have the confidence to complete any task that I put my mind to. It’s been a great experience and another chapter that was added, and I can’t wait to tell my story.”

by
Stories
March 10, 2021

Six weeks after her 13th birthday, F became pregnant by her boyfriend- a 17 year-old, unemployed high school dropout. F’s own mother was a young woman who died before F was one year old and F’s father was incarcerated about 12 years ago, and he remains in prison. F has lived with her grandmother most of her life. Her grandmother was upset about the pregnancy, and concerned because F had shown disruptive behavior in school, was involved in several physical fights at school, and had a poor attitude both at home and at school.

F was admitted to FCS during the summer enrolled to start the 7th grade at school in the fall. Keeping F in school was a priority. Although F was occasionally challenging with regard to going to school, she began to attend school on a daily basis. Medical care is another huge priority for a pregnant child, and FCS staff was especially diligent in making sure that F went to all of her medical appointments, and received all prenatal care.

F often had to be re-directed by staff because of her negative behavior. She became easily upset and angry; however, over time she learned to interact more appropriately with her peers and staff. She responded very well to the Mentor who was provided by the FCS Volunteer Coordinator and to opportunities to be one-on-one with staff. She particularly seemed to enjoy working with staff on specific projects. F was a resident in the Maternity Program at FCS for 6 months before she delivered a healthy baby boy weighing 7 lbs. and 3 oz. She was discharged with the baby to her Grandmother. F is currently being followed up through FCS’s aftercare program, and she is doing very well.

F is a perfect example of the challenging situation our clients are in. Pregnancy alone is difficult. Once the numerous overwhelming variables our residents face are accounted for as well, it is easy to see how important FCS is in their lives. We provide a safe place for our clients to get their lives on track. We enable them to prepare for a solid, productive, and healthy future.

by
Stories
March 10, 2021

You kick, and everything gets better. You bring love and joy to myself and everyone that comes in contact with you.

You kick, and I don’t remember all the negative things that the doctor told me. You are strong. I can feel it, and together we will over come anything.

You kick, and my dad calls and asks for us to work on having a relationship that was never there.

You kick, and your father decides to go to school and get on when everyone had stopped believing in him. You make him new and I see that. I love you, and don’t have to say anything. Its visible through your eyes. The both of you have a relationship that makes me happy and jealous.

You kick, and the world becomes a better place. You are a miracle and I’m honored to have you living inside me.

-Written by former FCS client

by
Stories
March 10, 2021

J. was one of the first clients that came to Legacy Hall when it opened. Working on obtaining independence, she was having difficulties in foster care because she needed to develop skills that could allow her to move out on her own. J came to Legacy Hall and was led through life-skill courses that taught her grocery shopping skills, how to schedule and maintain doctor appointments on her own. She also was able to make better grades in her college classes. Staff eventually helped her to look for an apartment in a neighboring county where she was able to move in within a few months, having saved enough money to maintain. Once she moved out of Legacy Hall, J continued in school and improved her grades the following semester, started a job at a local department store, and has since gotten married. She is living in a nice two-bedroom apartment with her husband and is soon expecting their first child.

When asked what she learned from the program at Legacy Hall, J explained:

Many lessons on how to be independent.

How to build a credit score and how bad it can be once you get bad credit.

I learned the value of time.

I finally learned how to look for an apartment.

I have resisted peer pressure even at the cost of friendship.

I improved my relationship with my mother by finally accepting the role she plays.

I got my driver’s license (my first step towards independence.); Courage: I was scared to drive or ever be on the road alone.

I learned how to put together a support team and not run away from those who care about you…“don’t burn bridges.”

by
Stories
March 10, 2021

You are given the opportunity to make a difference every day. Whether you are cooking the food, teaching a class, transporting the babies to childcare, or collecting donations, everything and everyone works together to help our clients be successful.

Last night one of our amazing relief staff went above and beyond and assisted our residents with a super fun craft. She bought and brought all of the supplies for the clients to paint and design picture frames for their baby’s’ photos. What a wonderful way for our mom’s-to-be to get excited about the new life about to enter the world.