Our Work in Trenton
Melissa M.'s Story
Melissa M. beams when she talks about her sons Antonio and Nicholaus. Her smile widens when she describes their father, her fiancé Raphael. Melissa speaks openly about being born with a mild form of Cerebral Palsy (CP). She says her experiences with CP molded her strong feelings about treating all people with dignity. That's what immediately impressed her when she enrolled in the CF program at the suggestion of a Capital Health System prenatal clinic worker.
"People at Children's Futures didn't treat me differently or judge me. They treated me with respect," Melissa recalled. Melissa's experiences with CF reflect what happens when different segments of the collaboration come together on behalf of one family. As a first-time mom, Melissa's enrollment started with two years of home visiting services provided by the staff of the Nurse Family Partnership (NFP). Melissa then received additional support from CF's east ward family support/parent child center at St. Francis Medical Center. Transportation for her medical appointments was arranged through the Mercer County Board of Social Services. Melissa's fiancé Raphael was linked to the CF father center at Union Industrial Home for Children, which provides new and expectant fathers with job interviewing and training skills and help with parenting. Melissa received information about breastfeeding and how to use bottles, diapers, bibs, pacifiers, and blankets. She was even referred to CF's behavioral health partner (Greater Trenton Behavioral HealthCare) for counseling to help her cope with the death of a beloved grandmother. Melissa also attended music classes at CF with Antonio and participated in evening activities with her entire family geared to promote parent/child bonding. By the time her second son Nicholaus arrived, Melissa was confident in her parenting skills that she gained through CF's program with first-born Antonio. She credits her improved ability to navigate her prenatal, birthing and parenting experiences to the care and concern provided by June Gray and Cynthia Hampton through the NFP and Lenore Scott, Marie Michel and Roseanne Best-Dougherty through CF's east ward center.
Melissa frequently recommends CF to moms she meets and offers advice based on what she has learned. "I tell them to always stand up for themselves and help other people who need help, she said.