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A true story about Family Independence/Teen Living Program
There are, of course, special stories of success, those that go so far beyond the hopes of TLP administrators as to be remarkable. Juanita was in the first group of girls who entered TLP in 1996, staying until 1998.
Her son, diagnosed with attention deficit disorder at an early age, had significant behavioral issues—more than she could handle. Through TLP, her son was placed in an early childhood development program, which helped in addressing his attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. He's now in high school, doing well and on track to graduate. He has a happy relationship with his mother, who obtained her GED while at TLP, went on to complete a nursing assistant program and was hired by a local hospital. She is about to go back to school to become a registered nurse
Along the way, she moved with her children (a total of three now) from public housing to an apartment. She bought a car and is now looking to buy a home. We know this, because Juanita stays in touch with us regularly.
In some ways, Shaunda's story justifies the very existence of TLP. She came to the program a decade ago, parenting one child, pregnant with another and with frayed family relationships. She took much from the program and set out to make something of her life. Entering college, she earned both bachelor's and master's degrees, and is now planning to pursue a doctorate. A post-script: Shaunda is a Family Service clinician, working daily with girls who she believes can one day replicate her special story.
