Taran found herself pregnant and virtually homeless, far from home and without a support system.  Her baby’s father’s family was in terrible disarray – the mother had recently died of a heart attack and the father jailed.  Taran knew she had to get out of Texas, for her sake and the sake of her baby. 

Taran arrived in Denver – a safe haven and where her grandmother lives -- in the summer of 2004, 16 years old and four months pregnant, to live with her grandmother, who had found out about the Florence Crittenton School and Parent Pathways online.  In August 2004, Taran began classes at FCS and her world began to change.

Taran had no idea what having a baby would entail or how to care for an infant.  Aside from her grandmother, she had no support system to help her with her pregnancy.  Through the pregnancy classes, health classes, and interactions with the counseling and nursing staff at FCS, Taran became much better prepared for the birth process. And at FCS she was part of a community of other young women at different stages of pregnancy and parenthood, allowing her to learn from their experiences as well as her own. FCS provided Taran a unique opportunity to see the older babies in the Infant/Toddler Learning Center, to be better prepared as a mother, and to be able to talk with the other moms about her questions, fears, and expectations.

Taran gave birth in January 2005 (a month before Taran turned 17) to Kaliyah, a healthy 7lb., 6 oz. baby girl. School and her studies shifted to accommodate her new motherhood and Taran hardly missed a beat with the help of the support system of FCS.  Parent Pathways’ Holiday Giving programs during this past year were very helpful, providing Taran and the other teen mothers with gifts of diapers and other baby supplies.
And now, after a year of motherhood and lots of hard work in the classroom, Taran is ready to graduate.  Looking back, she says, “Without FCS, I probably would not be graduating from high school.  I definitely would not be prepared for my future and my baby’s future and I would not be as academically accomplished as I am. But best of all, I’m now prepared for life as a mother and all that’s ahead of me.”  Taran adds, “I want to give my daughter Kaliyah every chance in life. I want her to have an even better future than I see for myself.”

And what is the future Taran envisions for herself? During her time at FCS, Taran reveled in her studies and became interested in government and politics. After graduation this spring, she will start a summer internship at the State Capitol. 

In the more distant future, Taran’s love of government and politics may lead her to run for an elected position in state government. “The young women’s population, like me, has no voice. I want to be an advocate for this group. Already this year I have spoken to legislators on extending childcare assistance for young mothers. Right now, there is no assistance for someone in college or night classes. It would take someone an extra year to finish a degree program – or they just quit. I am working with legislators in trying to get this issue on the agenda for the next session. Do you know, those people actually do listen to people like us?”

But before her political career, Taran’s goal is to become a teacher.  She has been accepted at the University of Northern Colorado, Lowry Campus into the urban education program, focusing on elementary education in inner city schools. Classes begin in early August.  Taran wants to teach 2nd grade and after earning her bachelor’s degree, she intends to complete her certification in secondary education (K-12).

Kaliyah is now 15 months old and a healthy and very active child. Running, walking, climbing chairs and stairs, she keeps Taran very busy.  Kaliyah adores her supportive and loving grandmother and said “Nana” before she said “Mom.”  Taran’s advice to another pregnant teen:  “I would tell her not to give up! You can do it! There are people to help you and help for your child, like at Parent Pathways. You can finish high school, you can still go to college, you can still have a good life.”

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