Extraordinary Women and Mothers at Hopeworks

Having just celebrated Mother’s Day, we’re recognizing some amazing women and mothers at Hopeworks. These women are all full time mothers balancing school and internships. Parenting by itself is no easy task, but these determined young women of Hopeworks have made a conscious decision to return to college so that they can create a better life for their children.  

Kristina Delvalle, a Townsend Scholar majoring in Human Services at Camden County College, had a hard time seeing how she would fit school in with the responsibilities that come with being a mother. She explains, “Mothers are the women who love you unconditionally from birth; being a mom is a full time job 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You have no personal days, sick days, or vacation days. Being a mom can be hard, especially juggling school, work, and also being a wife. I remember wanting to finish college but my journey was different than others.”  With the support of the team at Hopeworks, she was able to realize her dream of returning to college while also taking care of her family and finishing her first semester back with a 4.0 GPA!

Brianette Hill is currently working at Camden Coalition of Healthcare Providers and working toward a degree in nursing at Camden County College. She connects to the balancing act that is required when you are a working mom and also in school. She writes, “I used to think it was going to be so hard for me to get an education, be a mother, and make money all at the same time. I want to become a nurse and there was a part in time where I thought it would be impossible, but since I’ve been here [at Hopeworks], I know it’s not.”

Neeia Colbert, also a working mother finishing her first semester at Camden County College, connects to the sentiments expressed by Brianette.  She shares, “going to school, having a full time job and being a mother is no easy task, but it is possible because that is what I am doing at this moment. Being a mother is learning about the strengths you didn't know you had, and dealing with the fears you didn't know existed.”

Alma Monge-Baires is an Intern here at Hopeworks working with the Get Moving Project to promote active lifestyles in the community of Camden to increase the health of the community. She is also a full-time mom to her 7 year old son and she says, “Although It’s been 7 years of ups and downs, having the gift of being a mother is the best gift and experience in my life.”

Happy belated Mother’s Day, Moms of Hopeworks! You inspire all of us.