Marinarde's Story |
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Marinarde was a 15 year old sophomore in high school when she found out she was pregnant. She was unsure of how she would provide for her baby, growing up in a low-income family without health insurance. Marinarde worked hard to stay in school while pregnant, overcoming negative comments from her peers and teachers who said she would never finish high school or go to college.
After giving birth to her son, Jordan, Marinarde joined Teen Success, Inc. During her weekly program sessions, Marinarde learned many important things: to take care of herself and her body, parenting skills to raise Jordan, her rights as a woman and mother, what it means to be in a healthy relationship and much more. She credits her Teen Success, Inc. facilitators with encouraging her to never stop dreaming or reaching for her goals.
In 2016, Marinarde was awarded a Teen Success, Inc. scholarship to pursue her goal of going to college. Marinarde was concerned she would not be able to afford college, but this scholarship allowed her to pursue her goal of obtaining a degree in social work.
Today, Marinarde attends California State University, Fresno and works with Teen Success, Inc.’s partner, Fresno Barrios Unidos as an outreach worker with the “Healthy Kids Act”, ensuring youth have access to reproductive health information. In her own words, “Having the Teen Success, Inc. scholarship awarded to me opened up the opportunity to fulfill my dream of being in a university. This gave me the opportunity to further my education while at the same time provide my son Jordan and I with a brighter future. I am hopeful that someday I will be able to give back to Teen Success, Inc. and help other young moms and make a positive impact in their lives as Teen Success, Inc. and Fresno Barrios Unidos have done to mine.”
After giving birth to her son, Jordan, Marinarde joined Teen Success, Inc. During her weekly program sessions, Marinarde learned many important things: to take care of herself and her body, parenting skills to raise Jordan, her rights as a woman and mother, what it means to be in a healthy relationship and much more. She credits her Teen Success, Inc. facilitators with encouraging her to never stop dreaming or reaching for her goals.
In 2016, Marinarde was awarded a Teen Success, Inc. scholarship to pursue her goal of going to college. Marinarde was concerned she would not be able to afford college, but this scholarship allowed her to pursue her goal of obtaining a degree in social work.
Today, Marinarde attends California State University, Fresno and works with Teen Success, Inc.’s partner, Fresno Barrios Unidos as an outreach worker with the “Healthy Kids Act”, ensuring youth have access to reproductive health information. In her own words, “Having the Teen Success, Inc. scholarship awarded to me opened up the opportunity to fulfill my dream of being in a university. This gave me the opportunity to further my education while at the same time provide my son Jordan and I with a brighter future. I am hopeful that someday I will be able to give back to Teen Success, Inc. and help other young moms and make a positive impact in their lives as Teen Success, Inc. and Fresno Barrios Unidos have done to mine.”
