I came to Penquis as a single mother who had no educational foundation-I hadn't even finished High School. But here I was trying to parent two boys and maintain a job to support us. My childhood was one of abuse and neglect; therefore, I was not prepared to be a parent. I hadn't learned how to love or to be loved. Thankfully, Penquis offered parenting classes that equipped me to learn new techniques.

Another aspect of Penquis that helped me thrive as a parent was the Family Partnership. This helped me set goals that I wanted to accomplish and helped me focus on the positive aspects of my life. I remember in my meeting with Jan Doucette, the Site Manager at the Center, I shared that I hadn't finished high school and she immediately relayed the information for the Adult Education Program. However, it wasn't just this simple exchange of resources that took place. No it was more than that. Jan encouraged me and she believed in me. These acts of support helped build my confidence in myself which increased my determination for accomplishment.

Not only did I receive my Adult Diploma, I went on to get an Associate's Degree in Business from Eastern Maine Community College, then I transferred to University of Maine and obtained a Bachelor's in Child Development and Family Relations. This degree helped me to obtain my current position with Department of Health and Human Services as a Caseworker. I am currently applying for my conditional social worker license so that I can work with families and help them rebuild their lives after adverse situations.

Isn't it amazing what a bit of encouragement does? If it wasn't for Penquis I'm not sure I would be where I am today. I strongly recommend Penquis and the services they provide for families in Maine. They really do "Help Today To Build Tomorrow". Thank you Penquis for believing in me and giving me the resources to build my family up into one that is encouraging and loving.