Casa Teresa

Success Stories

Alina Shares Her Story …

My brother and I grew up while my mom worked to support us both on her own. I never met my biological father. She told us that when she was not at work she needed her "adult time." Most times my bother and I were placed with random babysitters, but sometimes we tagged along with my mom and the come-and-go boyfriends she often had. Eventually, we came to southern California to live with my grandparents. At 10 years of age, my mom married the man who I consider to be my dad. But by the time I was 17 years old, they had gotten divorced and my mom moved out. I soon followed. Read More ...

Brandy Shares Her Story ...

My parents got divorced when I was 8 years old and I ended up staying with my mom. She is an alcoholic, which meant different men and getting abused. I had to take care of my mom, which meant picking her off the floor and giving her another beer or watching her get beaten. Things escalated when I was 12, with more alcohol and more men, so I started drinking. At 15, I got pregnant and decided to give my baby up for adoption. The night I came home from the hospital, my mom had packed her things and told me she was leaving. She left me with a drug-addicted “step-dad” who introduced me to crystal meth. When he started sexually abusing me I went to the streets. Read More ...

Christine Shares Her Story ...

At 23, I got pregnant for the second time. Previously, I had an abortion but I made a promise to God that I would never do that again. Going into this adoption, I was extremely scared and angry. Having a baby too early would not only deprive this child of a fair childhood, but also me of having the stability that I truly sought. Read More ...

Jenny Shares Her Story …

Childhood was a difficult time for me, with lots of dads and lots of moving. Inside, I felt a desperate longing to fit in and belong, and it was only after falling in with a group of self proclaimed “losers” that I felt accepted and free to be myself. I began drinking and smoking marijuana, and occasionally using cocaine. Adding to the problem, at 16 I moved out of my mother’s home and in with my drug addicted father who would get high with me. Read More ...

Kerri Ann Shares Her Story ...

I was very fortunate to grow up in a close family with parents who loved me and my brothers. I had many friends, did well in school, and was active in sports as well as theater arts. Then I turned 16. I thought I knew everything and was invincible. I became friends with a girl and both of her parents were addicts. I became fascinated with their “no rules” lifestyle of swearing, smoking and staying up all night. I isolated myself from my friends and my own family and began to lose my identity. All of the things that made up who I was slowly began to fall away. Read More ...

Leisha Shares Her Story …

I was put in the foster care system after I was taken from my mom because she was on drugs and abusive till I was five years old. My brothers and sisters were also taken away from my mom because of the same reason. I then got adopted when I was five years old and was not in a loving or supporting home. I give credit to my adoptive parents for teaching me what I know now, but they were mentally and physically abusive and again I was in an unhealthy environment. Read More ...

Nicole Shares Her Story ...

At first I had no idea where I was headed, but I knew I needed to change my life for the sake of my daughter and myself. I just got out of jail and needed to get on the right path.I found Casa Teresa through a program called, “The Great Escape.” The moment I walked into the house, I felt immediately this is where I needed to be. I had no where to turn and was in the dark, but at that moment Casa Teresa showed me the light. Read More ...

Rebecca Shares Her Story …

When I came to Casa Teresa I was 20 years old, yet in many ways I was still a child. I was angry and immature with no future to offer my child. Today I am a student at Saddleback College, have my own car, apartment and a wonderful 2 year old son, Avery. Read More ...

Robin Shares Her Story ...

Sitting on the curb outside the abortion clinic, I was shocked and dangerously close to tears. Good job Robin! The verdict was in, I was having a baby, a baby that I knew that I couldn't abort, but I wasn't prepared to keep. I didn't know where to go or who to turn to for help. Read More ...

Sharon Shares Her Story …

I've never had anyone I could trust. I grew up in a home that was very dysfunctional; I never knew my father, and my mother was involved in drugs and a string of abusive boyfriends. My stepfather abused us by pulling us by our hair and throwing us against the wall, but what was most hurtful was that my mother would sit there and watch it all happen. She herself didn’t hurt us but she didn’t protect us. Even today I cannot understand how a mother could do that. She hasn’t really changed either, and although I am 23 I still need a mom, so it’s sad. Read More ...

Stephanie Shares Her Story …

It’s been a long time since I have been a productive member of society. In fact I don’t think “productive” has been a word that would describe any part of my life. From the day I was born, it seems, my life has been one big struggle after another. Read More ...

Taylor Shares Her Story ...

Ever since I could remember I wanted to be a “mom.” When I found out I was pregnant, I was excited, but at the same time I was only 18 years old and just got out of high school. I was alone and scared, and I just ended my 2 ½ year relationship with the father of the baby. I knew I was not financially stable to care for a baby on my own. Right from the start abortion was out of the question; my parents then started talking to me about adoption. After months of contemplating, I chose open adoption and found a wonderful family to care for my son. Although I had great support from my friends and family, I couldn’t deal with the hole in my heart and the pain that giving up my son brought. Soon after I was drinking more and using drugs to try and numb the pain. Read More ...

Zena Shares Her Story ...

Shortly after I realized I was pregnant, I knew I had a major life decision to make. In considering placing my child for adoption, many issues had to be resolved. Could I keep and parent my child? Could I afford housing, transportation, and childcare on the income I could earn based on my current education level? The final question I asked myself was, “Do I have adequate family support to be a single parent?” This all boils down to the big question: “What is best for my baby?” Read More ...

♥Join Our Mailing List ♥Make a Donation ♥Volunteer Now