When Tara learned she was pregnant while facing incarceration, fear took over.
“All I could think about was, ‘Oh my God, I’m pregnant. What am I going to do?’” she said.
A mother of two older children — a 19-year-old daughter and a 12-year-old son — Tara was preparing to welcome her third child under overwhelming circumstances. The thought of giving birth and being separated from her baby was more than she could bear.
That’s when she heard about Volunteers of America Texas’ Mothers and Infants Together (MINT) Program.
After bringing the program to her attorney’s attention, Tara was recommended by a judge to participate. For her, it felt like an answer to prayer.
“This is God-sent,” she said. “He loves me. He’s looking out for us.”
Through the MINT Program, Tara was able to remain with her newborn daughter, Layla, while receiving support and guidance to rebuild her life. What she found was more than a safe place — it was an opportunity for transformation.
“I’ve learned a lot about myself,” Tara said. “I’ve really worked on my inner self since being here.”
Participants in the MINT Program receive access to a wide range of services, including parenting education, counseling, addiction recovery support, nutrition classes and life-skills training. For Tara, these resources filled critical gaps.
“I didn’t even know how to do CPR before,” she said. “Now I do. We’ve had classes on everything — from what to eat during pregnancy to how to talk to your children in a healthy way.”
Beyond the structured programming, Tara found something equally valuable: community.
“The experiences here with each other … I just feel like they’re opportunities,” she said. “When we go home, we won’t have each other right next door. So we should appreciate this time.”
Tara also discovered new creative outlets, from sewing baby clothes to making quilts and building a baby book for Layla — tangible reminders of her journey forward.
Reflecting on her time in the program, Tara expresses deep gratitude.
“I’ve been blessed in so many ways,” she said. “The opportunities for a fresh start … and the help of everybody here. They are very caring. They understand what we’re going through.”
As Tara prepares for life beyond the program, she carries with her not only new skills, but renewed hope — and the chance to build a stable future for herself and her children. “I’m grateful for everything,” she said.
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