Mary’s Parents’ Story – “We have our daughter back”

“[We] want to take this opportunity to let you know how much we appreciate all that the Light House has done for ‘Mary’ and us. 

“Mary’s story began two weeks before her 18th birthday. She had been working at her first job at Taco Bell and had started a relationship with her 29-year-old boss. Later, on her 18th birthday, she dropped out of high school and again moved in with this man. 

“During the course of the next three months she became pregnant and realized her mistakes. When she begged to move home, we refused. In the period she was gone we had connected with a parent support group at our church. That organization along with the Light House helped us deal with her situation. We gave Mary a choice… find a friend to move in with or call the Light House. She briefly moved in with friends and soon realized she needed serious support. 

“When Mary was in 2nd or 3rd grade, we as a family volunteered at the Benedictine location of the Light House to remodel a room. We knew that it was a loving, caring place and it’s staff was the best. Mary was accepted and moved in; she was enrolled in high school and Medicaid, and was given counseling and much information and education about her impending pregnancy. It was difficult for her to be there for such a long time but she grew as a person, from child to adult. Mary had chosen adoption from the very beginning; no one forced her to make that decision. Being adopted herself, she had grown to understand what adoption can mean to all parties involved.  With the help of the Light House, Mary picked a family for her child and has had no regrets.  

“We let Mary move back into our home. She will start Junior College in the spring, she’s looking for a job and will be buying a car. She is back dating her 18 year old boyfriend and planning a future. None of this would have been possible without the love and help of the Light House staff. My wife and I feel that we have our daughter back; she’s more respectful, helpful and kind. I asked Mary what she learned from the Light House, and she said it has helped her be a better person.  Again, many thanks to all of you.”

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