Teen parents beat odds, graduate. But will the program survive?
| Thursday, Jun 04 2009 06:23 PM
Last Updated Thursday, Jun 04 2009 08:34 PM
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Felix Adamo / The Californian Jeanine Villa was one of the approximately 200 students receiving their diplomas through the Cal-Learn/AFLP program. the ceremonies were held at Bakersfield College.
Felix Adamo / The Californian Cristina Heredia finishes up with her cap and gown as daughter Julissa Mendoza heads to the door with her bag. Heredia was one of the graduates of the 14th annual Cal-Learn/AFLP Graduation Ceremony held at Bakersfield College.
Felix Adamo / The Californian Jeanine Villa was one of the approximately 200 students receiving their diplomas through the Cal-Learn/AFLP program. the ceremonies were held at Bakersfield College.
Felix Adamo / The Californian Three year old Piper Stocks watches as her mom , Lauren Lunsford, slips into high heels before particpating in graduation ceremonies of the 14th annual Cal-Learn/AFLP Graduation Ceremony held at Bakersfield College.
Felix Adamo / The Californian Cristina Heredia finishes up with her cap and gown as daughter Julissa Mendoza heads to the door with her bag. Heredia was one of the graduates of the 14th annual Cal-Learn/AFLP Graduation Ceremony held at Bakersfield College.
Felix Adamo / The Californian Piper Stocks waits patiently as her mom , Lauren Lunsford, talks to the media before the start of the 14th annual Cal-Learn/AFLP Graduation Ceremony held at Bakersfield College.
Felix Adamo / The Californian Jeanine Villa was one of the approximately 200 students receiving their diplomas through the Cal-Learn/AFLP program. the ceremonies were held at Bakersfield College.
Felix Adamo / The Californian Cristina Heredia takes a moment with her daughter Julissa Mendoza before the start of the 14th annual Cal-Learn/AFLP Graduation Ceremony at Bakersfield College. Heredia was among the 200 students receiving their diplomas.
Cristina Heredia says she had a rough childhood. She won't go into much detail, saying only that she was neglected.
She got pregnant at 16. But instead of looking at the negatives, she decided to use her daughter as motivation to get an education.
With the help of the Department of Human Services Cal-Learn Program and Clinica Sierra Vista's Adolescent and Family Life Program, Heredia, along with about 200 other students, received her high school diploma Thursday.
"I wouldn't have been able to graduate without the programs," Heredia said as she held her 23-month-old daughter, Julissa Mendoza, before the ceremony at Bakersfield College.
But with budgets what they are, such a graduation ceremony will not be held next year.
Under proposed county budgets, funding for the program would be reduced by 25 percent, said Department of Human Services Director Pat Cheadle.
That means the programs, which serve 400 to 500 teen parents, could be cut back.
And under Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's proposed state budget, the program would be cut completely.
Cheadle said if the program is cut, California would be the only state to not have a "safety-net program" for teenage mothers.
And without that safety net, some of the girls who graduated Thursday said they never would have made it to a diploma.
"I don't think the programs should be cut," Heredia said. "They care about your education."
As part of the programs, Heredia received incentives for maintaining a good grade point average. She plans to attend Bakersfield College in the fall.
Jeanine Villa will also attend BC. She had a different childhood than Heredia, with a very supportive family. They stayed supportive even after she had daughter, Mia, who is now 1 year old.
It's that support that will help her reach her goal of attending Cal State Bakersfield in hopes of becoming a registered nurse.
She said, "It's a long way, but I can get there."
