I met David when I was 13 and was pregnant at 15 when I came to MELD for the Young Moms Parenting Support Group. Brittany was born when I was 16. At 18 our son David Jr. was born.
I lived at the MELD Shelter. I worked at through their Employment Program. A year later I got a job as a secretary at MELD. I moved into MELD Transitional Living and with the support of the MELD Young Moms Groups and MELD staff, received information and guidance on parenting, cooking, finances and the care of myself. I started to believe I could be independent.
While in the program, David proposed marriage. We wanted our children to be raised with both of their parents. I graduated from the MELD, married David and was able to purchase a home, using the money being saved for me by MELD, as a down payment. We have had many up and downs in our marriage but worked at staying together. In March this year, we will have been married 20 years! I am the Office Manager at Christian Life Retirement Center. David works at Chrysler and is taking courses to obtain his ministry license. Our daughter, Brittany, is the mother of our grandchild, Elijah David and works part time. Our son, David Jr is in college. The MELD staff showed me so much love and support and believed in me! I am forever grateful for my MELD family.