From Healthy Families Boston to Sunset Point Camp, Family Finds Strong Support System Across Agency

Just because you are a young parent doesn’t mean you can’t be a great parent. 

Kassylyna, who had her first son when she was just 15 years old, says she will never forget these words, which her Healthy Families Boston case manager shared with her over a decade ago.  

Catholic Charities Boston’s Healthy Families is a free home-based family coaching program that supports young, first-time parents. For Kassylyna, the program provided the support system and education she needed to navigate motherhood as a growing young adult.  

Now, she looks back at her time in the program filled with gratitude. Not only did it offer her practical parenting skills and knowledge but it also connected her family to a wide range of wrap-around services across the agency, including Sunset Point Camp in Hull, which has become a beloved home away from home for her two sons, Josiah, 16, and Adrian, 11, over the past five summers.  

“We found out about camp through a friend during the pandemic and my sons have been going ever since,” she said. “It’s a beautiful experience. It’s something I didn’t experience myself as a child, but it’s amazing and they have loved it.” 

From boating adventures to amusement park field trips to participating in Treasure Night – where campers have the opportunity to play games and win prizes – Kassylyna said her boys always come back from camp thrilled to share the many memories they made. 

This summer, her older son served as a kitchen staff worker at SPC for the first time. Kassylyna said it was a wonderful experience for him, helping him to grow both his confidence and his independence. 

“This summer taught him responsibility, work ethic, and money management,” she said. “The staff consistently acknowledged his hard work, dedication and showed him appreciation which motivated him even more. I always tell him, ‘Keep it up. If people see you working hard, you will have opportunities opened for you.’” 

As a working mother herself, Kassylyna has witnessed firsthand how dedication and hard work pay off. Moreover, she said she has recognized how valuable it is to have a community and a strong support system. For Kassylyna, this is Catholic Charities.  

“They keep the connections going all year,” she said, noting that her sons were also invited to participate in SPC social outings during the fall and winter. “I always feel comfortable asking for support and recommendations for community resources from the staff. It’s just been a really great experience for us.” 

To learn more about how you can support Catholic Charities Boston, visit our Ways to Give page. To learn more about Sunset Point Camp, click here.