MUSD Program Connects Teen Parents to Community Resources for the Holidays

MONTEBELLO – Approximately 50 teen parents in the Montebello Unified School District received baby care packages, which included bottles, baby clothes and blankets, before the Thanksgiving holiday, thanks to a donation from St. Benedict School, located in Montebello.

The MUSD Infant Toddler and Pregnant and Parenting programs seek to support student parents, male and female, and give them the opportunity to achieve their academic goals and continue their education while raising children. This includes the option of attending additional classes to expedite the completion of their university “A-G” required courses and the availability of day care services.

This year, Anthony Martinez, Montebello Unified’s Assistant Superintendent, reached out to local organizations to address other needs student families have outside of academics.

“This is a great example of the community working together to bring in additional support services beyond the classroom,” said Martinez.“For some of our students who are or will be teen parents, they will know that their community and schools care for them and will help them complete their education.”

The student council at St. Benedict, a K-8 private school, organized a Thanksgiving donation drive and collected baby items. The packages were assembled according to age and gender to ensure that the parents received the appropriate items for their children.

“This event was a great opportunity for the students at both schools to connect with each other,” said Lorraine Verduzco, Montebello Unified’s Director of Accountability and Support. “We value the relationship we have with St. Benedict, and our students were ecstatic to see other schools recognize their needs and try to support them on a personal level.”

The Thanksgiving gifts were personally delivered by the student council as a surprise to the student mothers and fathers from Bell Gardens, Montebello and Schurr high schools.

“We greatly appreciate the leadership of St. Benedict’s principal and their student council in conducting the drive for our student parents who are determined to complete their education,” Montebello Unified Superintendent Susanna Contreras Smith said. “It is rewarding to see the community come together and offer support for all of our youth.”

PHOTO CAPTIONS

1INFANTTODDLERDONATIONS: Montebello Unified School District student parents received baby care packages, which included bottles, baby clothes and blankets, before the Thanksgiving holidays from St. Benedict’s student council.

2INFANTTODDLERDONATIONS: Montebello Unified School District Assistant Superintendent Anthony Martinez and MUSD staff with a daughter of a student who received a baby care package from St. Benedict.