Ashley's Story
Ashley was sixteen when she gave birth to her son, Gaige, in March of 2005. At the time she was living with her boyfriend and her boyfriend’s parents in Anoka County. By November of 2005, Ashley could no longer live with her boyfriend, who had become an abusive methamphetamine drug user.
Ashley talked with a social worker at school and was referred to Elim Transitional Housing, Inc. for housing and support services. Ashley was accepted into our Anoka County shared housing site and moved in shortly thereafter. Four teen moms live at the location with their young children.
While in Elim housing, Ashley has worked hard to finish school and raise her son. Ashley currently attends Crossroads Alternative School in Coon Rapids and has excelled while there.
Gaige attends daycare on-site. Ashley has completed her requirements and is taking electives, including a parenting class, yearbook, MapStars (a debate type of activity) and a leadership class. Ashley beams with joy as she talks about being recommended by the principal to be a part of the class, whose students must maintain a 90% in academics and attendance.
Ashley is looking forward to her high school graduation this June and is possibly thinking of a career in nursing or interior design. When asked what it has been like to be a teen mom, she states,
” It has been a challenge. Having Gaige has made me grow up and look at life a lot differently. It made me want to succeed and do better. I want to do good and succeed for him.”
Ashley’s short term goal is to win a spot on the all-expense-paid leadership class trip to Hawaii this summer. The thought brings great excitement to Ashley’s voice, as she talks about how Gaige’s grandparents (the ex-boyfriend’s parents) would watch Gaige for her as a graduation present, if she got selected to go on the trip. Gaige’s grandparents continue to be very supportive and involved in Ashley and Gaige’s lives, even though the ex-boyfriend is now in jail.
Ashley’s long term goal is have her own place and to be able to provide for herself and Gaige. Her words of wisdom to other teen moms, “Put your mind to it and you can do anything.”