Mesheanya was only 17 when she learned she was pregnant. When she told her parents the news, she was asked to leave. Mesheanya moved from place to place each day, desperately searching for a safe place to stay. When Mesheanya gave birth by cesarean section to her son, Marvonneé, he needed a feeding tube and constant monitoring in the prenatal intensive care unit for a time. Under her loving care Marvonneé quickly grew strong enough to be released from the hospital. They moved back home with her parents, but their welcome only lasted a short time.
 
Mesheanya’s optimism and spirit didn’t falter though, even though she was re-hospitalized for a life-threatening condition. She was connected with the staff at CCS’ Harrington House and we welcomed her and her son into our program and cared for them as she recovered (while connected to an IV). With our wonderful staff at Harrington House offering compassion and care, Mesheanya finally found the support she needed to persevere toward her dreams. She is completing school with a high GPA. She not only demonstrates great care for Marvonneé, but shows unfaltering support for her housemates. Christina Sand, an on-call Lifeskills staff person shared, “Her spirit is contagious and she can’t help but support her peers.”

Mesheanya hopes to use the skills she’s learned at Harrington House and become a Certified Nursing Assistant, eventually earning a Bachelor’s degree. “I am so strong and I know what I can accomplish,” she says with confidence.
 
Harrington House provides transitional housing with supportive services to eight women, 18 years and older, who are pregnant and/or parenting and homeless. Last year more than 700 clients were helped by CCS pregnancy services. For more information about Harrington House and Catholic Community Services Pregnancy and Parenting Program, click here to visit our website.

 
We would like to wish a blessed and happy Mother’s Day to all the mothers in our community.