Sherie & Markeeta

Nurse Sherie  (left) and Markeeta with her daughter

Markeeta was only 16 years old and on her own when she found out she was pregnant. She had no parental support and thought she had nowhere to turn…until she found Brighter Futures and nurse Sherie. “I suddenly had someone to talk to, someone who helped me get things accomplished, like getting me back in school,” she recalls.

Nearly destitute and with virtually no support system, Markeeta simply needed someone she could trust and count on…a mentor who helped point her in the right direction. Before the birth, Sherie gave her lots of advice on how to eat well and take good care of her body. “She was so compliant,” says Sherie. “She just needed somebody who actually cared for her and gave her resources and support”

Today, Markeeta’s confidence is high. She and her daughter live with Markeeta’s grandmother while they look for an apartment of their own. Sherie helped Markeeta enroll in a special online computer program so she can spend more time with her daughter and do  schoolwork from home. The future is finally looking bright for Markeeta and her daughter, and she plans to study business at Sinclair Community College.

“She took the steps herself; I just helped get her connected and showed her the way. She’s a wonderful mom.” Sherie, Brighter Futures nurse

“She’s like a real close friend. I can tell her anything and I know she’d do anything to help me.” Markeeta, Brighter Futures client