LaTerrica’s Story

I am LaTerrica, a YOUNG MOM, and this is my story.

LaTerrica, 22, lives in Rockingham County, NC with her three children. 

As told to Jasmine Getrouw-Moore, Young Families Connect Media Outreach Coordinator

Becoming Self-Sufficient

I have lived in Rockingham County, NC for three years, since about late 2014. Before living in Rockingham County, I lived in Alabama where my mother’s family lives. I spent much of my teenage years in the foster care system because of some family issues that were going on. While in foster care, I learned that using available programs and services offered by the state and local government provided resources to improve life situations. For example, while in the foster care system, I was able to attend workshops and conferences, which taught me how to become independent, how to apply for programs and which social programs would best help me to meet my goals. One goal I had since living in Alabama was to become a Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA). I started taking CNA classes after I emancipated from foster care, however, I soon stopped taking class when a number of different life events happened. After becoming emancipated, I lived with my mother while taking classes at my local community college and working. However, my mom’s roof collapsed at her home and the living conditions made it difficult for me to live at her home while maintaining my school and work schedule. I was also relying on a friend (who was like a sister to me) for transportation. I found myself couch-surfing at friends’ houses but never telling them I didn’t have a place to stay. My transportation was not always reliable because my friend and I had such different schedules. I was unable to get to work nor maintain my school schedule. I started thinking about making a change.

From Alabama to North Carolina

Between my living conditions, unreliable transportation and the death of a very close friend, my goals were put on the back-burner. I was forced to pause all I had worked to achieve. I knew this was a time for a change. The big change came in July 2014, when I found out that I was pregnant with my first child. During one of my conversations with my father, who is from Rockingham County, I shared all of what was going on in my life. He suggested that I should relocate to Rockingham County and I did after I gave birth. I moved in with my dad and my new baby. This was a totally different environment for me, a new community. In fact, I only really talked to my dad and some people around my neighborhood including my boyfriend. I started feeling complacent, but relied on the skills I learned while in foster care- to check out community resources.

When I moved to Rockingham County, I applied for Medicaid and the Work First program, which helps to put applicants in a job training program and apply for jobs. I decided to go back to the Certified Nursing Assistant program and finished this program successfully. I actually got my first job (after finishing this program) in February 2016! This was so exciting to me. My son was about 18 months old when I was directed to the Rockingham Partnership for Children where I applied for childcare. This is where I met Dawn (former coordinator of YFC Rockingham County) who talked to me about the benefits of the Young Families Connect program. My main reason for wanting to enroll in the program was the need to build my community here in Rockingham County.

Young Families Connected

When I moved to Rockingham County, I applied for Medicaid and the Work First program, which helps to put applicants in a job training program and apply for jobs. I decided to go back to the Certified Nursing Assistant program and finished this program successfully. I actually got my first job (after finishing this program) in February 2016! This was so exciting to me. My son was about 18 months old when I was directed to the Rockingham Partnership for Children where I applied for childcare. This is where I met Dawn (former coordinator of YFC Rockingham County) who talked to me about the benefits of the Young Families Connect program. My main reason for wanting to enroll in the program was because I needed to build my community here in Rockingham County. I later discovered I was pregnant with twins. YFC was very helpful for me during this time.

Since starting Young Families Connect, I have had my twins who are six months old (at time of interview). I have moved into my own apartment with my three children and boyfriend and I am working as a Certified Nurse Assistant. I have been able to grow my community from just my father, boyfriend and children to a wider group of people like other young families I have connected with in Rockingham County. In Young Families Connect, I have learned new skills like positive, effective approached for parenting toddlers; cooking healthy meals for my family; ways to be physically active with my family and also different things to do around Rockingham County and in Greensboro. Young Families Connect has helped me to become a part of this community.