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“I don’t think I’d be the parent or person I am without Camino,” she says. “Even now as an employee, I still feel the support. It really is a community—and there’s always a door open.”
- Isabella
At the heart of Camino’s Pregnant and Parenting Youth (PPY) Program is trust—something Isabella* discovered when she first connected with us in early 2020. Encouraged by a friend, she visited Camino unsure of what to expect. A warm welcome quickly changed that. She realized it was a place to learn, grow, and feel supported.
That first visit led to enrolling in Camino’s Education Community Partnership Program, where young parents can earn school credits at their own pace. With childminding on-site, Isabella could focus on her education while parenting. The program supports each participant’s unique needs—whether through therapy, life skills, or simply time to build relationships.
When home life became difficult, Isabella and her daughter moved into Camino’s supportive housing in Cambridge. Despite COVID restrictions, she found comfort in baby groups, outdoor play, and meaningful connections. “It really started to feel like a home,” she says. “Somewhere I could be heard, encouraged, and just be myself.”
After graduating in 2021, Isabella remained connected to Camino. A year later, she began working in housekeeping while completing her Educational Assistant diploma. After graduation, she moved into a new role as a Direct Care Worker in Camino’s Day Program.
She now supports other young parents through groups and workshops and helped develop a March Break program focused on play-based learning. “We had over 50 participants that week, including some new to Camino,” she says. “It was so special to see families engaging, learning, and having fun together.”
While she once considered becoming a teacher, Isabella has found purpose in her current role. “Because of my own experience and my age, I can really connect with participants here,” she says. “They find comfort and inspiration in my stories. I’m an example of someone like them who has completed high school, gone onto college, and am now in my own place – all while being a young, single parent.”
Her daughter is now a thriving kindergartener, and Isabella continues to grow, both personally and professionally.
*Name changed to respect privacy
Learn More About Our Pregnant and Parenting Youth Supports
