“I left in a thin pair of pants, a t-shirt, and a pair of flats in the snow, with my baby bundled up in his car seat and his diaper bag.”
Amanda was only a teenager when she found herself fleeing an abusive relationship with her six-month-old baby. Without a stable place to go, Amanda needed help.Through a mentor from church, Amanda learned about Olive Crest’s Safe Families program. Amanda contacted Safe Families and she and her son were placed with a host family. The host family encouraged Amanda to attend school and create a parenting plan for her baby. The family cared for her emotionally and spiritually.
“I felt and saw love in ways I didn’t know I needed, drew closer to God, and graduated high school.”
Amanda’s story could’ve ended very differently- only about 50% of teen mothers receive a high school diploma before they turn 22. Because of Safe Families, Amanda is now stable and thriving.Since leaving her host family, Amanda has moved into an apartment of her own and works as a paraeducator for her school district. She hopes to become a teacher and will be continuing her education at a local college in the spring.
“Safe Families helped my life in a time when I needed it the most. God’s timing was right and his promise to rescue me was true” – Amanda
