‘We are all there for each other:’ Healthy Families North Shore Client Grows Strong Community

At 18 years old, Healthy Families North Shore client Ashley was just on the cusp of adulthood when her mother passed away. In the wake of this loss, Ashley said she felt the ground beneath her had been swept away. 

“After my mom passed, things became difficult for my family,” she said. “We lost our sense of stability.” 

Just a year later, Ashley unexpectedly found out she was going to be a mother herself. Still grieving, this news was initially overwhelming. With her own mother absent, and the baby’s father living in the Dominican Republic, Ashley feared she wouldn’t be able to navigate the unfamiliar terrain of motherhood alone. 

That all changed, however, when a friend — who was also a young mother — introduced her to Catholic Charities Boston’s Healthy Families program in Lynn, where Ashley lived. 

A voluntary, free, home-based coaching program that supports young, first-time parents, Healthy Families helped Ashley prepare for the journey ahead. More than that, she said the program restored her confidence and reminded her that there is always hope to be found on the horizon.  

“I first met my Healthy Families home visitor when I was still pregnant, and I immediately felt I had a support system by my side,” she said.  

From parenting techniques to nutrition to self-care to creating a sleep routine, Ashley said her home visitor, Lorena Dungan, offered her practical resources and compassionate support that helped her to grow into the mother she is today.  

When Ashley’s son was born, just under three years ago, she said her heart burst with a love she had never known. 

“Right away, babies begin teaching us to love more, to care, to have patience, to listen, to be there,” she said. “Its a beautiful feeling. Children are a gift.” 

Now 22, as Ashley prepares to graduate from Healthy Families this fall, she reflects on the ways the program has cultivated her resilience and helped her believe in herself. 

“Lorena always listened,” she said. “She has been there through it all for me. She’s somebody I could talk to, no matter what – she always said just call me if you need anything. It doesn’t matter the time or situation, we could always call.”  

 Another integral part of the program, Ashley said, was the strong relationships she forged with other young mothers. Whether meeting up at the park, running errands together, or staying connected through group chats, Ashley said they built a strong network that carried them each through the ups and downs of early parenthood. 

“We are there to help each other,” she said. “We are there to support each other. To have someone who wont judge you and can be there for you is amazing.” 

Thanks to the encouragement of the program and the friendships she’s formed, Ashley now serves on Healthy Families North Shore’s Parent Advisory Committee, where she works alongside staff and fellow program graduates to support new young parents. 

To provide for her son and continue building a stable life, Ashley is also working two jobs. Every sacrifice she makes is with his future in mind. Every time she looks at her son, she said she is reminded of how far they both have come. 

“Everyone in the program just loves him,” she said. “He is my strength and happiness.” 

To learn more about Catholic Charities Boston’s Healthy Families program, click here. To find out how you can support young parents, and other clients in need, visit our Ways to Give page.