By Shaylynn
Shaylynn: Katrina Victim Relocates to D.C.

My name is Shaylynn and I am 16 years old. I was born in New Orleans, Louisiana and lived there until about five years ago, when Hurricane Katrina hit. Our house was destroyed. We had nowhere to go. My dad left my mother and went to Texas to be with another woman.

My mother decided to move to Charlotte, North Carolina. Thankfully there were kind people there to help us out. Nevertheless, it was hard to move, to be far from my family, and to no longer have my father around. I felt like my dad had neglected me since all his attention was focused on his girlfriend and her children. My younger brother and I were no longer getting along.

Then, my mother lost her job. Life was already a struggle and we had to move again, this time to Washington, DC. At this point, I was ready to give up – but thank God, I didn’t. We are trying to move forward.

When I became pregnant I thought my life was over. Could there be anything else that could go wrong? I was afraid that I would not be able to go through with the pregnancy. But my mom has been there with me every step of the way. Together, we found out about the Healthy Babies Project. The staff there has been very helpful and supportive. They helped me get through this ordeal.

I delivered a healthy baby girl in December by natural childbirth at the Family Health and Birth Center. Now, I am enrolled in TPEP (Teen Parent Empowerment Program). With the support of my mom and HBP, I will build a good life for me and my baby. I am grateful to the people who have decided to bless me and my child.

Wish List

$5                    Baby formula
$25                  Clothes for baby
$40                  Food for mother and baby for a week
$50                  Shoes for mother and baby
$300                3 days respite housing
$500                Food for mother and baby for 3 months

Ways you can make a difference

Support Shaylynn. Click here.
Read about other HBP clients and their new beginnings. Click here.