Meet Karina

When I was in 11th grade I met a guy, who gave me the love and attention I was looking for. I became pregnant after a few months of dating. I was 16. I didn’t have my parents around much and I was lost and sad.

When I heard there was a place like Fristers at first I was nervous because I don’t really fit in at a lot of places, but I was happy at the same time that I was going to hang out with other moms that were going through the same thing that I was. My first visit at Fristers was in Santa Ana, seven years ago. I felt safe and I knew my son was safe and I felt good being there.

My favorite things about Fristers are the love and the support we receive. I love that I can communicate with other moms and talk to them about my problems. Even if I just need emotional support, I always have them there to help me find a solution or a pick me up when I’m down.

I’ve learned a lot about myself, my values, my strengths and what I’m capable of. I’ve also learned how to be the mother that my children deserve. I’ve learned that God has a plan for all of us and that He’s always going to take care of us.

Because of Fristers I obtained my high school diploma. I was baptized at Eastside Christian Church two years ago, and I have an amazing job right now. I’ve also enrolled in college.

My children have learned a lot at Kidsters. Julian used to be very insecure and now he’s a confident child. He walks around with his head up and knows that he has amazing people that are going to help him and teach him right things. Lilian is a very confident child as well and she trust everybody at Kidsters. They’re both really amazing kids and they know really amazing things because of all the people there helping them.

Fristers really helped me with my mental health. When I first came to Fristers I was suffering from depression. It’s because of Fristers that I’m here today and that my kids have their mom. If I hadn’t joined Fristers I think I’d still be broken and destructive and I’d definitely be on a bad path. Today I know that I’m a strong person and that I’m capable of accomplishing all of my dreams. I’m beautiful. I’m valuable. I’m God’s masterpiece.

I’d like to say thank you to everybody who has invested of their time and money to us at Fristers. Thank you for teaching us about love and showing us that there are good people out there who want to help.