“When I found out I was pregnant, it was a shock. I thought I wouldn’t be able to finish school."

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Theara Price

PARTICIPANT, TEEN SUCCESS, INC. SACRAMENTO PROGRAM
​(operated in partnership with Planned Parenthood Mar Monte)

In June 2020, Theara Price, 17, watched her photo flash up on the screen during Encina Preparatory High School’s virtual graduation ceremony. “It wasn’t what I expected, but it was still exciting and I felt proud because I finished something,” she says.

“When I found out I was pregnant, it was a shock. I thought I wouldn’t be able to finish school,” she says. Coming from a tumultuous childhood and adolescence, Theara didn’t have a support network she could count on when she found out she was pregnant. She thought she’d have to figure it out on her own.

Then a friend she’d confided in about her pregnancy recommended the Teen Success, Inc. program to help her get through school and learn about parenting.

Theara celebrating her high school graduation.

Theara joined the program and met her Advocate, a Teen Success, Inc. staff member, early on in her pregnancy. “[My Advocate] asked me what I needed, even though I wasn’t super comfortable at first, she just asked me questions.”

Theara was given books for her baby and joined her Teen Success Peer Learning Group so she could get to know different moms. “Everyone got where I was coming from. It made us not feel like outsiders,” she says of the group.

Theara’s Advocate also went with her to talk to her school counselors and made sure Theara would graduate on time. When Theara had her baby, Calliope, she was excited to share her baby's weight and length with her Advocate, who'd been with her throughout her pregnancy.

As a parent, Theara recalls that she went in with a lot to learn about babies and parenting. Her Advocates were there to teach her. “Being a new mom, it was like walking in the dark.”

She learned how to properly position and secure Calliope in the car seat, explored safe sleep options, and learned about SIDS. Today, she’s making sure Calliope, now 8 months, meets her development milestones by singing to her, reading to her, doing lots of tummy time, and playing salsa and reggaeton for her – which Calliope loves!

Though Theara has changed Advocates during her time at Teen Success, she’s learned a lot about school and parenting from each of them. “Herine’s amazing,” she says of her current Advocate, “and helps me figure out what to do college-wise.”

Financial and education security are important to Theara. Her aunt has stepped up to help her and encourages her to finish school. “She’s so accomplished and secure,” says Theara about her aunt, who she's observed at work at Sutter Hospital.

Theara plans to become a nurse because it’s a career that can help her fulfill her vision for her own family’s future. “My kids will go to college and have everything they need,” she says.

Theara and her daughter, Calliope

In Her Own Words
"Herine became more than my [Advocate]. He's amazing [and we've] developed a personal connection. We relate culturally and he’s helped me with school as well as [create] a positive self-image for not only myself, but ways that I can express that to Calliope as well."
​~ Theara

Theara Price, a young mom relentlessly pursuing her education to provide her daughter with every opportunity.

“To me success and security goes hand in hand. A successful person knows what they want and has the drive to go get it,” says Theara. She hopes that by sharing her story, other moms will be able to overcome their challenges and get the support they need.

 “I want those moms to be happy. I know it’s hard at any age, but I hope they enjoy motherhood because it’s amazing.”

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Photos courtesy of Theara Price

Sofia & Elina

Sofia found out she was pregnant at 15, but she didn't have a support network, then she found Teen Success, Inc. and her voice.
Read Sofia's story.

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