Events

 My name is Leslie I'm a 33 year old mom in Phillipsburg. The first time I learned of Life Choices I was sixteen, pregnant with my first child and still in school. I remember going to the center to have an ultrasound done to confirm my pregnancy at the time, seventeen years later I still have that photo. At the time my parents were against the pregnancy and my support system was pretty nonexistent  but Joan and Arlene embraced my son and  I with open arms. I eventually ended up volunteering for them while my son was young and it would be the beginning of setting the tone of helping others for me. Life choices is a pillar in my memories and my progress. When my daughter passed away Joan poured into me even when I was losing myself. She was there to console me when I reached out to her, employed me so I could pay my bills when I was broke, advised me, and encouraged me. When I couldn't understand why my mother was the way she was, it was Joan who sat me down and said sometimes things are the way they are, it's up to us to control our environment, and our mother's parenting isn't ours. When I said I wanted to go to school to get my CDL it was Joan who purchased a CDL book for me so I could study to take my test locally so I didn't have to consider going over the road and leaving my five month old baby.  Life Choices has always been a safe, nurturing place for women but more importantly young mothers to go. Those of us who haven't been nurtured in life, when we enter Life Choices you're automatically met by two nurturing women. When you enter Life Choices you know that these women LOVE what they do, this is their true passion, it's not just a job to them. Once upon a time Joan told me that I was destined for greatness.  I spent a lot of my adult life not knowing how to navigate my greatness because I lived in anger for too long. Through all of that darkness...looking back now whether I moved away, or  just stayed away, Life Choices has always been a place that I consider a second home and that door I'll always walk through whether I'm giving or receiving. Because of them I've spent my whole adult life helping others. Along the way I've been nurtured by two pillars in our community. Now today through all the trials and tribulations I am now giving back to my community in the capacity upon which they gave to me. If I ever had to honor women for contributing to my life,  Joan and Arlene would be on the list because without them, I would've never known what it meant to be nurtured in this life.  I thank them and thank you for taking the time to read this.