COMMUNIQUÉ
PAGE 3
The first moment Lake House Teaching Parent Jacinda Mahoney saw a major change in Aunesti Smith was after her graduation from Thomas Academy at age 16. Aunesti proudly carried her baby Miracle on her hip across the stage, a broad smile stretching across her face. She’s learned “that [other people’s] emotions don’t have to be your emotions,” Jacinda said. “Aunesti uses her coping skills a lot more now. She recognizes when she’s getting irritated, and she goes to her room to listen to music.” Now 18, Aunesti has a part-time job, is learning to cook and is working toward graduation from Southeastern Community College as a nail technician. Her goal is to work in a salon creating nail designs and working with natural hair, braiding and locks. Aunesti also wants to ensure she has her license, a car and a safe place to live for herself and Miracle, now 2, before she leaves the program. “The fact that she is working in a public setting now, Aunesti has to have coping skills to manage her behaviors and her actions and reactions,” said Teaching Parent Janae Matthews. Since coming to the Lake House Teen Moms and Babies program two years ago, “I have more patience and calm now,” Aunesti said. “I know how to communicate and not just shut down and get frustrated.” Aunesti and Miracle’s Story
When she first came to BGHNC, Aunesti remembers being angry all the time.
“I was confused and lost and pregnant,” she said. But now, “I’ve started journaling, and that has helped me. I learned that a baby is not on your time. They’re on their own time.” “It’s difficult for me in raising a kid. They say I do really good, but I need to improve in bonding with her and reading to her,” Aunesti said. “I want Miracle to have the life I never had. If she wants to go to college, I want to be able to pay for that.” Aunesti said she’s excited to be a peer mentor to other moms in the program. The design of the Lake House program means that Aunesti has an army behind her, and she said she has appreciated the support of Teaching Parents Miss Tammy, Miss Janae and Miss Shanita. “Miss Jacinda tells me what I don’t want to hear,” Aunesti said, smiling. “She’s my tough love, but she’s right.” All of the advice and coaching Aunesti received at BGHNC paid off recently with some big news -- her first corporate job.
“
I want Miracle to have the life I never had.
—AUNESTI SMITH
DAYCARE (continued from page 1) She returned to Lake Waccamaw after working in the trauma healthcare industry for years in Charlotte. “It’s different here than what I’m used to, but it’s home,”she said.“I came back and never knew I would work at the place where I used to play as a girl.”
Karen turned in her seat to remind Anthony of the preschool rules before taking him inside. “No hitting. . .” she said, trailing off so “Anthony”would call out the rest of the rules. “No kicking, no fighting, no screaming, no hitting,”“Anthony”said, clearly from memory. He unbuckled himself from his seat and
pressed his nose to the window watching for little people he knew. “That’s good, buddy,”she said, taking his hand and walking him into daycare. “That’s my friend,”he said, running to his playmate for a hug.
Made with FlippingBook - Share PDF online