I first came to Villa on February 9th, in 2023. I was freshly 17. I was living at my Dad’s but I hadn’t lived with him previously for 4 or 5 years. I didn’t want to come here at first, I wanted to be with my family. But when I came for the tour, I thought this would be a better place to be pregnant, with other people going through the same situation. 

I was scared because I thought no one would talk to me. I felt really young and I didn’t know anything about a baby. I didn’t even know how to change a diaper, and I felt like I didn’t belong. But I became friends with some of the other residents and we connected and supported each other. I also started attending class and programs and realized that everyone was really friendly and actually wanted me to be here.

The Villa Rosa programs literally taught me everything. Like I said, I didn’t know how to change a diaper. I thought I would be okay and just figure it out, but I quickly realized that there was so much that I had no idea about. I can’t even say what I learned because they taught me so much. 

Coming here made me a better person individually and as a mother. It made me realize what is actually important. It made me realize that I needed to surround myself with people who were good for me and I met so many people here that helped me. Villa made me feel less alone during pregnancy. If you really want to be here, and actually do the stuff you’re supposed to, it feels like a real family. 

Before Villa, I wasn’t on the right path. I was hanging out with the wrong people and partying. I didn’t go to school for like three years before coming here. But now I’m on track to graduate, I have an amazing almost 2-year-old son, I have my own apartment, and I feel like I’m the best mother I can be. Lots of my friends who are older than me who have kids come to me to ask me questions about babies and parenting because of all the stuff I learned here.

I actually ended up coming back here as a day student because this feels like my home. I tried going to a different school when I was discharged and moved into the community. It just wasn’t as supportive for parents and I felt like I was missing the friendliness of Villa. The staff and teachers at Villa really care about me and all of us here. I felt like the only way to succeed was coming back here, where there are people who actually really want to see me succeed. It was a hard choice for me, because it is over an hour bus ride one way from my place to Villa each day, but I feel like I am seen and understood here. 

Villa Rosa will always be my home away from my home. It is now February 2025 and I don’t regret my decision to come here at all. Thank you Villa for all you’ve done, you’ve changed my life for the better.