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| Katarzyna's Story |
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One Children's Futures North Ward family support worker regularly promotes the program at formal presentations in churches and at schools as well as at impromptu presentations in laundromats, at bus stops and in shops throughout North Trenton. During one of these informal presentations at a delicatessen, a 20 year-old pregnant immigrant from Poland named Katarzyna said in her native language, "I am pregnant, tell me more." Following the screening process, Katarzyna became enrolled in the North Ward Parent/Child Center. Katarzyna was living in poverty and sharing an apartment with four others in North Trenton. Children's Futures arranged for Katarzyna's prenatal care at Capital Health System, helped with translation services during doctor visits and even provided transportation for the visits. Katarzyna also received help from Children's Futures on receiving insurance for her baby (New Jersey KidsCare) and selecting a pediatrician. Referrals were also made to Planned Parenthood, WIC and Children's Futures' partner, Greater Trenton Behavioral HealthCare, to address a depression issue. Katarzyna delivered a healthy baby boy and soon began attending breastfeeding classes provided at the North Ward Parent/Child Center. In addition, she regularly attended "Mommy and Me" and "Music Together" programs at the center to build her parenting skills and strengthen her English language development. With her son about to turn three years old in September 2006, Katarzyna is now employed, has married the father of her son and has referred ten pregnant Trenton moms into the Children's Futures' program. |