Stephanie G., an appeals administrator at a Kaiser Permanente, runs the front desk at one of the healthcare giant’s regional offices. She and her new husband recently purchased their first home. Her son Andrew, 11, eagerly talks about attending college.

A decade ago, Stephanie’s life looked much different.

“I was 19 years old when I discovered I was pregnant,” says Stephanie. “I was in a bad place in my life. Healthy Babies Project became my safe haven.”

A positive pregnancy test led Stephanie to enroll in TPEP (Teen Parent Empowerment Program), where she eagerly absorbed parenting classes and began treatment for depression, abuse, and post-traumatic stress disorder. Soon after the birth of her son, the HBP team helped her find a place to live.

“It was public housing, but it was mine,” says Stephanie.

Breaking Free to Independence

But that show of independence enraged her family. They evicted Stephanie and her baby, tossed Stephanie’s clothes and personal items in the dumpster and threw all of her son’s clothes on the street curb. She and Andrew had nothing. HBP stepped in with clothes and furniture for their new apartment.

In spite of her family’s rejection, Stephanie pressed on. “I made a decision to be different and to break the cycle of abuse,” said Stephanie. She earned her associate degree in liberal arts from the University of the District Columbia and landed an entry-level job at Kaiser Permanente. Hard work and a promotion allowed her to move out of public housing and into her own home. Stephanie is now completing her bachelor’s degree in business administration at her employer’s expense and recently got married.

“Before I got pregnant, I didn’t want to live,” said Stephanie. “But my son gave me a reason to fight for his life and for mine.” Determination and help from HBP, she says, helped her fight her way out of poverty.

Giving Back to Help Other Young Parents Be Overcomers

When she was offered an opportunity to help teen parents at HBP – youth who are now where she was a decade ago – Stephanie seized it. She created and leads a series of TPEP classes called Get Out, which equips young moms and dads with skills and practical tools they need to get a job, get a degree, get a car, and get a house – in short, get out of poverty.

“So many young parents want to be self-sufficient, but they don’t know where to begin,” says Stephanie. She is living proof that young parents can overcome any obstacle they face. “I want to help them figure out how to get out of poverty,” says Stephanie. “I am an overcomer and they can be, too.”

If you or a teen you know is pregnant and needs support, contact HBP to learn about our Teen Parent Empowerment Program.