Dear Friend,
As a young mom, I’ve learned that parents will do anything to keep their babies safe. I know because I’ve lived it. When I became homeless with my first child, I had to fight to find help and give him the life he deserved. When I finally found The Bridge for Youth, my family and I found shelter and support that changed our lives.
My name is Cierra, and I’m a proud mom of three amazing kids. Some of my proudest accomplishments are the sacrifices I’ve made for them.
When I was pregnant with my oldest, Eli, I got kicked out of our apartment during my third trimester. Instead of focusing on staying healthy and nesting, I was hauling boxes of the few things I had left to my name and frantically trying to find a place to stay. I was barely 18 with nowhere to go. The idea of going to a homeless shelter was scary, and finding a safe shelter that would take a young, pregnant mom was almost impossible.
Then I found The Bridge for Youth.
The Bridge had a shelter specifically for young parents like me. I stayed at Gloria’s Place, their emergency shelter for pregnant and parenting youth and their children. I remember thinking, Wow…they actually have a place for young moms!
Nothing can fully compare to the experiences I had at The Bridge. It was a safe and comfortable environment that knew what I needed as a young parent. Everything was provided right there, from diapers and food to therapy and medical care. I knew I didn’t have to fight alone anymore.
The staff were kind, nonjudgemental, and helpful to everyone who came in the door. There was always someone willing to listen and help. Someone I’m still very close to is Dr. Janna, The Bridge’s Medical Director. She had my back and taught me things about being a mom that I needed to know. She made me feel like I could do actually do this… And I did.
Because of my journey with The Bridge, I’ve learned how to be a leader and advocate for myself and others. I work with Dr. Janna now in the Youth Health and Housing Lab, where I help bring awareness to the health and wellness needs of other youth experiencing homelessness across the state. I’ve been setting new goals for myself, and I recently started a new job! Now, I look at my three happy, healthy babies, and I’m proud of how far we’ve come.
Eli is so smart and creative, Cari is hyper and loving, and my newborn, Mae, is my little sweetheart. My kids are strongwilled and powerful, and I have so many big dreams for them. Because of the care and support we received at The Bridge, those dreams feel possible.
My kids are my proudest accomplishments. I want them to grow up knowing they are safe, loved, and supported. I’m so glad that The Bridge gave me the chance to give them that.
Sincerely,
