WIC (Women, Infants & Children)

Serethia did not have a stable home or family life from the time she was eight years old. Her childhood included two years in foster care, as well as time spent living with her grandmother. Upon giving birth to her son Kevin, she had to leave her home, which was too crowded, to move in with friends. Despite the difficulties of securing a solid home base, and relying on friends and family for a place to call home for both her and her son, Serethia made it her goal to achieve self-sufficiency, and to establish a stable family environment for herself and Kevin.

Serethia first learned about CEO through her involvement with CEO’s YouthBuild Program. She is working two jobs: as a WIC Peer Counselor at CEO, and as a cook in the kitchen of a local establishment. Serethia now lives in her own apartment, and is on the waiting list for CEO's Early Head Start program, hoping to obtain a stable daycare environment. In order to make ends meet, she relies on the help of various CEO services, such as WIC.  With the support of CEO, she has been able to provide the stable life for her child that she never had for herself.

A role model for other young mothers, Serethia has breastfed her child throughout all the stressful times, and now hopes to become a Certified Lactation Consultant and provide the support that made a difference in her life.