A Texas school where students bring their babies along

Yavezi Alvarado, a 17-year-old student from Brownsville, Texas, has to get her backpack ready for school while also preparing her one-year-old daughter, Kamila, for the day. Kamila accompanies Yavezi on the school bus, which is equipped with safety seats for infants. This unique bus route serves Lincoln Park High School, located in a low-income Hispanic neighborhood near the Mexican border, catering to girls and women aged 14 to 22 who are either pregnant or have recently given birth.

While these young mothers attend classes, a childcare center within the school campus looks after their babies. This arrangement provides much-needed support for mothers like Yavezi, who emphasized the relief of knowing her daughter is close by and well-cared for.

The state of Texas, where the school is located, has imposed strict regulations impacting minors’ access to contraceptives and sex education. Yet, the school provides crucial support to its students who often face discrimination in their old schools and rejection from family members. Principal Cynthia Cardenas recognizes the need to address teen pregnancies and helps create an environment where being pregnant is not considered a disability, but rather a condition that these young women can navigate successfully.

Though the birth rate among adolescents has seen a decline, Texas continues to have a significantly higher birth rate among young Hispanic women compared to young white women, highlighting the social and economic challenges that contribute to this issue.

Lincoln Park High School, established in the 1990s, is a rare institution catering specifically to the needs of young mothers, recognizing the unique challenges they face in continuing their education. The school offers customized support, including no homework and flexible schedules to accommodate the students’ responsibilities as mothers.

The teachers’ understanding and compassion for their students’ situations make a significant impact on the students’ ability to continue their education, despite the challenges they face. For instance, teachers like GeorgeAna Wilson provide their students with empathetic support, acknowledging when a student is struggling due to their baby’s care needs.

The school aims to empower its students to continue their education and pursue their dreams, with young mothers like Yavezi and Milla aspiring to become gynecologists and teachers, respectively. Such ambitions reflect their determination to overcome obstacles and build a better future for themselves and their children.

Reference

Olivia Carter

Olivia Carter revs up excitement in the world of NASCAR. As a dedicated motorsports enthusiast, she covers race results, driver profiles, and the latest developments in the NASCAR world, keeping fans on the edge of their seats.