Chuck Stewart, Jr.
Newburgh - There are numerous accolades given out this time of year for the many accomplishment of our young people. And rightfully so. They have graduated from high school. They have received scholarships for college. They have been accepted into the armed forces.
However, a small group of young women gathered recently to celebrate somewhat simple achievements. Some received their GED. Others passed their road test and received that all important driver’s license. Still others celebrated a year or more of employment.
So what made these young women deserving of special recognition? Each achieved these goals while being a full time teenage mother. That’s right. In addition to dealing with the everyday stress and anxiety of being a teenager, these young women are balancing motherhood and its adult reality.
But they are not alone. Though these women face a great deal of hardship and adversity, Planned Parenthood of the Mid-Hudson Valley TASA and GOALS programs offer them the guidance and support they’ve come to trust and rely upon.
Program alumnae Liza de la Cruz told the young ladies how she was in their shoes 20 years ago. At the age of 19 she became pregnant and sought out help. "TASA was there for me," she said.
Cruz quickly bonded with her TASA case manager who helped her gain the skills she needed to become a better parent. She also gave her that gently push and encouragement to get her GED. "I didn’t realize how much getting my education would change my life," she said.
Today, the mother of three says she’s happily married, gainfully employed and life is good. Her oldest child, now 20, is in college. Her advise to these young women: Get all the education you can and stay positive. "Eliminate negative attitudes," she said, "you are the product of your own thoughts."
Annette Marzan, TASA & GOALS Office Manager who organized this years recognition said, "the TASA & GOALS programs have provided these young women with the resources to make life better." From health to education, employment to child care, the award recipients were all thankful for their awards, but extremely grateful for the program and their case managers for helping them when they seemed to need it the most.
The Planned Parenthood Mid-Hudson Valley TASA & GOALS Recognition Event was made possible through the New York State Office of Children and Family Services through the Newburgh Adolescence Pregnancy Prevention Service Program and the Orange County Youth Bureau. The groups work with community agencies that serve pregnant, parenting and at-risk youth in the area. They offer case management, counseling and information and referrals to help the youth move toward self-sufficiency and independence.
