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News > News

TEEN MOMS WALK, RAISE MONEY FOR MARCH OF DIMES

Posted June 16, 2010

When the Prince George's County March of Dimes Chapter held its 3-
mile March for Babies on Saturday, April 17, 2010, five of St. Ann's teen 
mothers and their children eagerly participated. Accompanied by 
faculty sponsor Margareta Frascella, and three other faculty and staff 
members, the young women were very proud to be able to help other 
mothers deliver healthy babies by combatting birth defects and infant 
mortality.

The group was able to raise more than $400 for the March of Dimes! 
What is truly inspiring is that many of the girls personally donated to 
the cause.  While the event will count towards their high school's 
community service requirement, according to Ms. Frascella, the girls 
learned a great deal from this project.

"They  learned that they are capabale of giving to others, regardless 
of their circumstances," she said. She also cited the teen's increased 
awareness of the importance of prenatal care in the delivery of 
healthy babies.  "Our teen moms also left that day with a a real 
appeciation of the fact that they were very blessed to have delivered 
healthy babies," Ms. Frascella noted.

The experience was so positive and joyful for the students that the 
high school plans to make participation in the March of Dimes walk 
an annual event.

CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATES

The St. Ann's community is very proud of Mia, Ashley, and Sarah, three of our teen moms, for earning their high school diplomas this school year.

Mia graduated in December and has been accepted into Prince George's Community College, where she will begin classes in August. Mia also continues her job at a local hospital. She and her son have been residents of St. Ann's for two years and plan to move into Faith House, our apartment-style transitional housing program. Along with earning a diploma and starting college, this is another significant step on Mia's journey to independence.

Ashley graduated in June as well and would like to pursue a career in nursing. She and her daughter were residents of St. Ann's for more than two years and now live with a foster family. Ashley's little girl graduated from St. Ann's Child Care Center last week and will begin Kindergarten this fall.

Last week, St. Ann's held a graduation ceremony for Sarah, who not only earned her diploma but was recognized for her exceptional work in Life Skills and Science. Sarah volunteered at St. Ann's Child Care Center two afternoons a week. She and her daughter will be moving back home with her family and she hopes to one day become an attorney. She will also be attending Prince George's Community College and will continue to work at a local hospital part-time.

While the achievements of these exceptional young ladies are their own, the programs that provided them and their children with the support they needed to accomplish their goals are here because of your generosity. Thank you for helping to make their success possible.