Saint John centre helping moms find their footing
19-year-old Jamie Luis has been living at First Steps for over a year, and will soon be marking her first Mother’s Day as her daughter was born seven months ago.
"She’s always smiling, she loves to play with the older kids," says Luis. "And she’s just a very sweet girl."
It's been about a year and two months since she moved to the facility after finding out she was pregnant and in need of support.
"I needed help because I got laid off because of COVID," says Luis, "And I actually contacted Denise asking if I could have a tour of First Steps."
First Steps is a centre for pregnant and parenting young women and their children who have no safe place to go.
The organization not only provides transitional housing, but also access to programs and services to help their clients succeed.
Denise Morais, residential director, says one of the most unique parts of the program is that it tries to meet the women where they are.
"Everyone here essentially wants to be a parent," says Morais. "But they also have challenges with addiction, mental health, intimate partner violence, childhood trauma, poverty – so we try to address all of those needs."
Not only does First Steps have a daycare on site – it also has its own high school, the Dr. Christine Davies Education Centre which "provides schooling for pregnant and parenting women who would like to achieve their high school diploma."
Among those who have achieved that goal – is Jamie, who has not only graduated from high school, but is now enrolled to attend college in the fall.
"I have a lot of help from staff here and Denise," says Luis. "And I have truly believed that I can do it, and it’s for my daughter in the long run."
Morais estimates they’ve helped between 450 and 500 women – to help lift them up and find their footing for both mother and child.
"When I took my application in for college, I wanted to give [my daughter] the life that I never had, I want to give her the love, the attention, everything … that I never had, and that’s my goal basically."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Trudeau acknowledges charges in Nijjar killing, calls for commitment to democracy
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has acknowledged the charges laid Friday in relation to the murder of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
Pastrnak scores winner, Bruins down Leafs 2-1 in overtime in Game 7
Sheldon Keefe told his players hockey history would remember them one way or another.
No proof man lied to brother about number of kittens born in litter, B.C. tribunal rules
A man was denied a $5,000 payout from his brother after a B.C. tribunal dismissed his claim disputing how many kittens were born in a litter.
Bodies recovered in Mexico likely 2 Australians, 1 American who went missing: officials
Three bodies recovered in an area of Baja California are likely to be those of the two Australians and an American who went missing last weekend during a camping and surfing trip, the state prosecutor’s office said Saturday.
Bombarded with spam texts? Stats show the problem is getting worse in Canada
In particular, messages that involve phishing — an attack where a scammer tries to trick the recipient into clicking a malicious link, downloading malware or sharing sensitive information — are on the rise.
King Charles III’s openness about cancer has helped him connect with people in year after coronation
King Charles III's decision to be open about his cancer diagnosis has helped the new monarch connect with the people of Britain and strengthened the monarchy in the year since his dazzling coronation at Westminster Abbey.
Trudeau 'absolutely' best person to lead the Liberals in next election: LeBlanc says
Cabinet minister Dominic LeBlanc insists he's not planning a leadership campaign to head the Liberal party, should current leader and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau resign, seemingly quashing rumours he's planning to make a move for his boss' job.
Princess Anne lays wreath at B.C. veteran's cemetery; receives 21-gun salute
Princess Anne paid tribute to veterans buried at a cemetery in British Columbia today, laying a wreath to honour the more than 2,500 military personnel and family members buried there.
A driver dies after crashing into a security barrier around the White House complex, authorities say
A driver died after a vehicle crashed into an outer perimeter gate of the White House complex, and the incident late Saturday was being investigated as a traffic crash, police said. U.S. President Joe Biden was spending the weekend in Delaware, and the Secret Service said there was no threat to the White House.