I first found out about Mama’s House on my way home from PSP Airport. Feeling a little teary after sending my first-born daughter back to St. Louis, after a visit here in the desert, I noticed a Mama’s House billboard with a pic of mom and baby. This reminded me of my early days as a single-parent and pregnancy with my daughter.  I was fortunate to have the love and support of my family, but I am aware there are many young ladies that do not have that support. As I have been following God’s plan for my life, I knew this is where I should volunteer time I have available. I know what it is like to start from scratch with a new baby and to build a life for us. I put myself through college with the help of a job training program in the early 1990’s, it was not easy but God had His hand on our lives throughout this time. God later blessed me with a son and a wonderful Christian husband of 11 years now, as well as his two wonderful children. I have been a nurse for 26 years and my first nursing love was OB/Labor and Delivery, as well as home visits for mother/baby. With my last 11 years being more of a quality consultant in nursing, I have missed this personal connection with my patients. Given my history as a single parent and my commitment to caring for women and children, this is a natural fit and local need that I feel called to serve. I will be starting my Doctorate degree in January, with Duke University in order to teach nursing; being able to teach the Learn and Earn program at Mama’s House is also a wonderful complement for my education career, while giving me the ability to mentor 1:1 with these young women. I love the Art program that the women are involved with at Mama’s House, it reminds me of being pregnant with my daughter and taking a painting class during that time…29 years later, I still have that painting that reminds me of my special pregnancy. I pray that the time these young women spend at Mama’s House will also be a special memory for them as well. God has His hand in this ministry and I am blessed to be able to serve alongside other wonderful volunteers.