Janell and baby Brieanna
by Beth McDonald, Communications Specialist
To celebrate the beginning of summer and the end of the school year, Dakota Woodlands throws an annual End of School Year party for residents, former residents, and their families. It’s a great evening with food, games, clowns, prizes, face-painting and the ever popular cotton candy machine! As the kids are running around (especially after the cotton candy!) and families are reconnecting, the staff has an opportunity to catch up with former residents and find out how they’re doing since moving into their own homes.
At our most recent party we had in June, I had a chance to visit with Janelle, a 24 year old former resident who has been living with baby daughter, Brieanna, in her own apartment for several months now. When Janelle first came to Dakota Woodlands, she was then 7 mos. pregnant and had been living with her mother and older sister before coming to the shelter. “I couldn’t stay there anymore. My mom’s place wasn’t big enough for all of us. I was sleeping on the couch and knew I had to move, but I didn’t have any where to go,” says Janelle. Not knowing there was a shelter in Eagan, she took the bus to the Dorothy Day Center in St. Paul and they referred her to Dakota Woodlands. “When I first got here I was so nervous, I didn’t know what to expect. But, everyone made me feel at home and were so encouraging that I felt like things were going to be good for us now.”
There are many factors that can lead to a family’s housing crisis. For most people, finding a permanent home is the first thing on their mind when they arrive at the shelter. But there are many valuable support services that are provided for women and children. For Janelle, it was important that she receive proper medical attention for the remainder of her pregnancy. She took advantage of the many parenting classes offered and felt confident that she could be a good mom to her new baby. “Probably the best thing I got from Dakota Woodlands was the feeling of belonging, that I wasn’t alone. There was always someone around if I needed to talk or a shoulder to cry on”, said Janelle. “They even threw a baby shower for me! I didn’t even know what a baby shower was! There were all these decorations, a cake, presents for the baby and we played these really funny shower games. It was so nice.”
Janelle had her baby while living at Dakota Woodlands last February. Instead of facing those first daunting days of motherhood alone, Janelle returned from the hospital with her baby daughter and was surrounded with love, advice, encouragement and support. It’s that feeling of community that made it hard for her to move into her own apartment, a month later. “I was so grateful to have had people around 24-7 that when I first moved out it seemed so quiet all the time. I really missed everyone. I am making new friends now and taking some classes at a local church.”
Janelle had her baby while living at Dakota Woodlands last February. Instead of facing those first daunting days of motherhood alone, Janelle returned from the hospital with her baby daughter and was surrounded with love, advice, encouragement and support. It’s that feeling of community that made it hard for her to move into her own apartment, a month later. “I was so grateful to have had people around 24-7 that when I first moved out it seemed so quiet all the time. I really missed everyone. I am making new friends now and taking some classes at a local church.”
What does the future hold for this young mother and her little girl? Janelle wants to go to college and become a marriage and family counselor. For right now she is enjoying taking care of her daughter and has a part-time job. “I want to be the best mom I can be. I think that all of the experiences I had and all the things that have happened to me have made me a better person. I can’t believe how good my life is now—I’m so grateful that I ended up at Dakota Woodlands.”
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