A young grandmother and a young mother walk down the street together; laughing and talking about life.  You would never believe that these two ladies met just a few months ago.  One is a volunteer and the other is a young lady who is a participant with our New Start Program.  These women have more in common than meets the eye.  They talk about being a young teen mom, the struggles, the joys, and life in general.  When they return from their walk they do many things that friends would do.  Play cards, make dinner together, and be there for each other.  The volunteer is Anita Petersen, a self-employed Real Estate Appraiser who realized she had flexibility in her schedule and a desire in her heart to volunteer.  Anita began surfing the web for volunteer opportunities and found the Volunteers of America, Dakotas’ home page.  Through looking over all of the different programs we offer, Anita found the one she didn't know she was even looking for, New Start.  This program is a 24-hour residential treatment program for pregnant and parenting adolescents and their children.  This hit close to home for Anita and immediately she began reflecting on her own life and the experiences her daughter had recently gone through.  She contacted Volunteers of America, Dakotas, filled out paperwork and met with the program director.

In May of this year Anita began volunteering at New Start.  At first, the girls were wary of her, but over the past several months she has built trust with the young ladies.  Anita remembers what it was like to be a young single mom who was pregnant and had no family support.  Her experience allows her to relate to the trials and emotions that the girls are going through.  Anita knows she would never have made it without help at that time in her life and wants to be there for these ladies.  She volunteers every Wednesday at New Start, spending time with the girls and just being there.   Her time at New Start is also helping the staff, so they are able to participate in the weekly meeting.  Anita enjoys all the activities she is able to do at New Start, including chats, manicures, walks and visits to the park.  When Anita was asked her favorite activities she responded "spending time with and rocking the new babies."  This time with the babies allows the teen moms to attend their group session. 

As Anita spends time with the young moms she builds relationships and bonds with them.  One of the hardest things for Anita to do is say good-bye when a mom leaves the program.  It's difficult not knowing how they do when on their own, but she is proud of their accomplishments they made to earn their way out.  In the end Anita hopes she's managed to do what she set out to, to build trust with the young ladies, help them open up and then be able to send them on their way. 

It is volunteers like Anita that make a difference.  Like Volunteers of America, Dakotas she sees that there is a need in the community and is now helping to make a difference.  We would love to have more volunteers like Anita.  If you would like to make the difference in the life of an individual, please give us a call or look at our website:  http://www.voa-dakotas.org/.