Page 12 - 2024 Annual Report
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Latoya Waite’s Story
A Path to
Stability In her new role, she supports maternal
mothers and teenagers, ensuring they receive
compassionate care and advocacy during
and Success some of the most vulnerable moments of
their lives. Her impact has been recognized
across multiple hospital departments, leading
to a promotion and expanded responsibilities
In 2021, Latoya Waite found herself at team, Latoya became his strongest advocate, in community health outreach. She now
a crossroads. A mother of two, she was ensuring he received the medical attention, helps expectant mothers access essential
navigating the challenges of single speech therapy, and behavioral support he prenatal care, coordinates transportation for
parenthood, financial instability, and an needed. Today, Giovanni is a thriving eleven- medical appointments, and provides crucial
uncertain future. When she came to Jack & Jill year-old, an A/B student, and an avid reader breastfeeding support to new moms, offering
Center, she was earning just $23,000 a year who loves basketball and is training to join the the same kind of guidance and encouragement
while trying to provide for her young children, Fort Lauderdale swim team. she once received at Jack & Jill Center.
including her newborn son, Giovanni. Without
maternity leave or financial support, she Beyond her children’s success, Latoya’s Reflecting on her journey, Latoya says, “If it
struggled to maintain stable housing. But Jack own growth has been just as inspiring. She wasn’t for Jack & Jill Center, I wouldn’t have
& Jill Center became the support system she participated in financial literacy and career gotten out of the situation I was in. They gave
needed. development workshops at Jack & Jill Center, “ If it wasn’t for me the support and the tools to build a better
which equipped her with essential skills life for me and my
Through Jack & Jill Center’s Family in budgeting, resume building, and job Jack & Jill Center, children.” Latoya came to Jack & Jill Center
Program, Latoya received case management, searching. These tools paved the way for her I wouldn’t have seeking stability and left with the confidence
emergency assistance, and parenting career advancement, leading her to a 65% and skills to change the course of her life. Today,
education that empowered her to build a increase in pay as a Patient Advocate at a local gotten out of the she not only advocates for her own children but
better future for herself and her children. hospital. for countless mothers and babies in need—
The parenting classes were life-changing situation I was in.” paying forward the support she once received.
—helping her, a first-time mother without
prior experience caring for infants, gain the At Jack & Jill Center, we believe when families
knowledge and confidence to nurture her baby. thrive, children succeed—and Latoya’s story is
just one of many that show the lasting impact of
As Giovanni grew, challenges arose. He our programs.
suffered from frequent ear infections, which
led to speech delays and behavioral struggles.
But with guidance from Jack & Jill Center’s
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