Nineteen and pregnant
How a young woman learned to stand up for herself and her baby
Anika was 19 when she discovered she was pregnant. She and the baby’s father got engaged, and Anika moved out of her parents’ home to start a life with her new fiancé.
After giving birth to their son, Anika noticed her fiancé becoming increasingly controlling. She felt more and more isolated, and she finally decided to reach out to Rose of Sharon Services for Young Mothers to see what support might be available.
“I never thought I could make it on my own”
At Rose of Sharon, Anika found a safe and loving second family. She and her son attended almost every program offered, including a six-week program called “Healthy Relationships.” Anika started to realize that she didn’t have to tolerate her partner’s behaviour. She connected with a housing worker at Rose of Sharon who helped her find an affordable and safe apartment for herself and her son. She still attends drop-in programs every few weeks.
“I never thought I could make it on my own as a single mother,” says Anika. “But with the help of Rose of Sharon, here I am doing it.”
Photo: A young woman and her baby at Rosalie Hall