Picture of Tonya and baby Jozlyn.Today, Bethany House is almost full to it's capacity. We currently have three young ladies --Jennifer and Mary, both of whom are approximately four months pregnant, and Tonya, who is the mother of 4 month old Jozlyn.
Jennifer is one of our newest young ladies. At barely 18 years old, like many teenagers, Jennifer found herself pregnant. The day before Jennifer graduated High School, with the sudden and unexpected news of her pregnancy, she found herself, homeless, as she was no longer allowed to reside in her families' home.
Upon arriving at Bethany House, Jennifer started spending her mornings volunteering at our local branch of Loaves and Fishes, where she has quickly became known and appreciated as being a very hard worker. Jennifer enjoys helping out others at Loaves and Fishes and likes meeting the people who come for lunch, as well as, getting to know those she volunteers with. She also helps to pack and prepare meals to be delivered.
Besides volunteering, Jennifer is actively making every effort to find a paying job. This is not an easy task for a very young and pregnant woman, fresh out of High School, with some learning limitations, who with each Doctor's appointment is finding that she is further along than expected. In the few short weeks that Jennifer has resided at Bethany House, she has gone from being due in January, to expecting a Christmas baby, and, finally, with her ultrasound complete, is now looking at having a Thanksgiving baby.
Knowing that someday, sooner than thought (and definitely sooner than any of us expected) she will be the mother of a baby who will be completely dependent on her for everything, Jennifer has a mixture of emotions. But, she's working to prepare herself, as we are, for the task ahead that comes with great blessings, as well as tons of responsibility.
Another resident, Mary, has only been with us for a very short amount of time. Mary is a very gentle and kind young lady, who arrived to the US from Africa just a few months ago. It is amazing watching her natural charisma and abilities with children. Mary never hesitates to take the opportunity to hold and play with Tonya's little Jozlyn. Tonya is totally relaxed and confident with Mary, allowing Jozlyn to bask in her love and attention.
Mary is a very smart young lady, who had attended almost two years of university (in the area of business administration) before having the opportunity to come to the United States. Much to her surprise, she discovered right after leaving Africa that she was pregnant. Mary is currently working on her english skills, putting to use the skills she learned in school. However, speaking the language is a new challenge. But, Mary is very quick and is she is improving rapidly. She is excited about finding a job so that she can support herself and her child, when he/she is born. She is a fun and extremely interesting addition to Bethany House. As far as we know, Mary is expecting her baby in December. But who knows? Like Jennifer discovered, those ultrasounds can reveal a whole new story.
We'll keep you posted on Jennifer and Mary's progress in the days ahead.
Tonya, our long-term resident, has become an absolutely wonderful mother, not an easy task with Tonya's upbringing and past. See her story: http://www.bethanyhousenet.org/testimony_tonya.php
Tonya is also an absolutely tired mommy and is the perfect example of why Bethany House allows young mothers to stay for an extended period of time after the birth of their baby. As soon as she was able to find a job, Tonya began working. While she was only given approximately 10 hours a week, at the start, God blessed Tonya with a babysitter who would not only watch her little one at no charge, but who would also save her having to take the bus to and from her job. And, as wonderful as that sounds, Tonya is still a single mother who is not only trying to take care of a baby who has dealt with a number of medical issues. Also, Tonya has gone from having one part-time job, to two jobs, as after proving herself on her first job, Tonya was given the opportunity at a full time, supervisory position in a nearby store, (with the recommendation of the manager from her first job, and isn't that an awesome story, in itself?)
There's not another mother who can't relate to the tiredness that a young mom experiences, and while Tonya knows first-hand what a blessing a baby can be, she also knows that they are not a temporary pleasure or a part-time job, nor does she have the luxury or support of a life-partner. Like every mom, she has discovered motherhood is full-time, permanent position. We are thankful that although Tonya is exhausted, she has embraced her new and most important job: Motherhood.
Helping Bethany House help moms like Jennifer, Mary, and Tonya can be a joy and challenge. Programs like ours always need funding. If you feel called to partner with us, you are welcome to donate online at http://www.bethanyhousenet.org/ or call: 503.667.8409
Jennifer is one of our newest young ladies. At barely 18 years old, like many teenagers, Jennifer found herself pregnant. The day before Jennifer graduated High School, with the sudden and unexpected news of her pregnancy, she found herself, homeless, as she was no longer allowed to reside in her families' home.
Upon arriving at Bethany House, Jennifer started spending her mornings volunteering at our local branch of Loaves and Fishes, where she has quickly became known and appreciated as being a very hard worker. Jennifer enjoys helping out others at Loaves and Fishes and likes meeting the people who come for lunch, as well as, getting to know those she volunteers with. She also helps to pack and prepare meals to be delivered.
Besides volunteering, Jennifer is actively making every effort to find a paying job. This is not an easy task for a very young and pregnant woman, fresh out of High School, with some learning limitations, who with each Doctor's appointment is finding that she is further along than expected. In the few short weeks that Jennifer has resided at Bethany House, she has gone from being due in January, to expecting a Christmas baby, and, finally, with her ultrasound complete, is now looking at having a Thanksgiving baby.
Knowing that someday, sooner than thought (and definitely sooner than any of us expected) she will be the mother of a baby who will be completely dependent on her for everything, Jennifer has a mixture of emotions. But, she's working to prepare herself, as we are, for the task ahead that comes with great blessings, as well as tons of responsibility.
Another resident, Mary, has only been with us for a very short amount of time. Mary is a very gentle and kind young lady, who arrived to the US from Africa just a few months ago. It is amazing watching her natural charisma and abilities with children. Mary never hesitates to take the opportunity to hold and play with Tonya's little Jozlyn. Tonya is totally relaxed and confident with Mary, allowing Jozlyn to bask in her love and attention.
Mary is a very smart young lady, who had attended almost two years of university (in the area of business administration) before having the opportunity to come to the United States. Much to her surprise, she discovered right after leaving Africa that she was pregnant. Mary is currently working on her english skills, putting to use the skills she learned in school. However, speaking the language is a new challenge. But, Mary is very quick and is she is improving rapidly. She is excited about finding a job so that she can support herself and her child, when he/she is born. She is a fun and extremely interesting addition to Bethany House. As far as we know, Mary is expecting her baby in December. But who knows? Like Jennifer discovered, those ultrasounds can reveal a whole new story.
We'll keep you posted on Jennifer and Mary's progress in the days ahead.
Tonya, our long-term resident, has become an absolutely wonderful mother, not an easy task with Tonya's upbringing and past. See her story: http://www.bethanyhousenet.org/testimony_tonya.php
Tonya is also an absolutely tired mommy and is the perfect example of why Bethany House allows young mothers to stay for an extended period of time after the birth of their baby. As soon as she was able to find a job, Tonya began working. While she was only given approximately 10 hours a week, at the start, God blessed Tonya with a babysitter who would not only watch her little one at no charge, but who would also save her having to take the bus to and from her job. And, as wonderful as that sounds, Tonya is still a single mother who is not only trying to take care of a baby who has dealt with a number of medical issues. Also, Tonya has gone from having one part-time job, to two jobs, as after proving herself on her first job, Tonya was given the opportunity at a full time, supervisory position in a nearby store, (with the recommendation of the manager from her first job, and isn't that an awesome story, in itself?)
There's not another mother who can't relate to the tiredness that a young mom experiences, and while Tonya knows first-hand what a blessing a baby can be, she also knows that they are not a temporary pleasure or a part-time job, nor does she have the luxury or support of a life-partner. Like every mom, she has discovered motherhood is full-time, permanent position. We are thankful that although Tonya is exhausted, she has embraced her new and most important job: Motherhood.
Helping Bethany House help moms like Jennifer, Mary, and Tonya can be a joy and challenge. Programs like ours always need funding. If you feel called to partner with us, you are welcome to donate online at http://www.bethanyhousenet.org/ or call: 503.667.8409
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