I remeber going to my oreintation at COPE like it was yesterday. I was 15 years old, 8 months pregnant, accompanied by my then boyfriend and mom. I was mad and scared, I kept asking why did I have to go here? Why couldn’t I just stay home with the baby and get my GED later? The thought of dropping her off to strangers and attending school all day scared me. But thankfully my mom wasn’t going to let that happen.
My first day of COPE came and I cried that morning and begged my mom to let me stay home. Well she didn’t let me. When I walked into my first class, it was the first time other girls my age didn’t stare, didn’t judge. We were all going through the same thing. I immediatly felt welcomed. I took a parenting class that helped me feel more prepared to be a mom and taught me things I still use today with all three of my children. I met the day care staff and I knew right away my baby would be in good hands and with the support of them, my teachers and my peers, I could do this.

Having the free clinic come to the school was such a blessing. I probably would of ended up having another baby in my teenage years if it wasn’t for this program. Because of COPE I was able to graduate early, learn life lessons, and make life long friends. Even the relationships with my teachers is something I’ll never forget.
I am now 25 years old, married with three beautiful children, and I am not another statistic.  I owe it all to COPE.