Like many expecting teenagers, Gina Larquier was told she would “not make anything of her life” when she was pregnant. She was ditching school a lot and was failing classes. Gina was looking for attention from the wrong people but she found guidance to help her find her pathway to success. Parent Pathways’ strong relationship with Denver Public Schools paid off for Gina when a counselor at Montbello High School told her about the Florence Crittenton School.

The hour and a half commute to the Florence Crittenton School, which includes two busses and the light rail, “is worth the trip.” She feels that the environment and the staff help her succeed and she appreciates the support she receives in and out of the classroom. Gina said, “The staff knows where we are at, where we are coming from and why we are here.”

Gina specifies that she “came to the Florence Crittenton School because I wanted to do the best by my son. I knew the best thing I could do was finish school.” Yet she recognizes that she has received a lot more than she expected. “The School has helped me to find other opportunities and resources that my family can benefit from, things I did not even know were available.”

These supportive services have helped Gina be successful. She is able to concentrate on her class work, knowing the staff is available when she needs the help. Gina is determined to make a positive life for herself and her family; she is excelling in her classes and will enter her junior year in the fall of 2007.

Gina is not the only one in her family who receives help and attends classes at the Florence Crittenton School. Her thirteen-month old son, Eddie, is enrolled in the Early Learning Center. At the beginning of the school year young Eddie struggled to watch his mom go off to class while he was left behind. Eddie became well adjusted to life in the Rosebuds classroom after only one week and became more active and improved his speaking abilities. Eddie’s interaction with other toddlers in the Early Learning Center developed social skills that will become a cornerstone in his foundation for life. “As long as Eddie can still come to school, I will come too.”

Gina has also earned academic credit through the Child Care Lab Class in our Early Learning Center. More importantly, this class has given her a heads up about what is to come. She explained, “I worked with children who are older than Eddie; this helped me learn what I could expect from him.” The opportunity to earn credit and learn valuable parenting skills with hands-on training makes the Early Learning Center a unique and special place.

Another important member of this young family has also gained from the benefits and opportunities provided by Parent Pathways. The Young Fathers services has assisted Eddie’s father, Julio, to acquire skills to help him look for work and enroll in and prepare for GED classes. English is Julio’s second language but he has worked hard to overcome this barrier in order to become a provider for his family.
Gina emphasized, “It’s important for everyone to try hard - not just for yourself but for others in your life.” Gina is determined to succeed and complete her high school education at the Florence Crittenton School.

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