Meet Ashley Three-month old Daylin coos in the background as his proud mother tickles his feet. 19-year-old Ashley came to alley's house when she was seven months pregnant and was referred to the agency by a teacher at Spruce High School. Since coming to alley's house, Ashley has reaped many benefits including tutoring for the TAKS test." I got my own personal tutor" she said.

"With the help of my tutor I gained the confidence I needed to take the TAKS and I really do appreciate that." Although her scores will not arrive until August, Ashley has a strong feeling that she passed the test!

Ashley has also enjoyed the career training at alley's house and is currently exploring college options. The high school senior does not yet know what college she will attend, but does know she wants to be in a helping profession. She is also very anxious to start her relationship with Jennifer, her new mentor.

Even before baby Daylin arrived, Ashley was a busy teen. Active in her high school, she was drum major, played the alto saxophone and tennis. She also has been very active in the community by volunteering at Clean Up South Dallas, The Mayor's Back to School Fair, and as a tour guide at The Science Place.

Right now Ashley's main goal is to be able to provide for her son, go to college and just to be happy with what she is doing with her life. She hopes that her son can be successful and a productive member of society while making good decisions for himself. According to Ashley, the best part of motherhood is "just looking at my child and playing with him." As far as the negative aspects of parenting she definitely answers, "having to wake up in the middle of the night."

Ashley believes that through prayer and with positive influences in their lives, she and her son will both be happy and successful. The young mother knows there are challenges ahead raising Daylin on her own, but urges others in her situation to press on. "You can do it," she says. "You cannot give up on yourself and just know that God will not give you anything you can't handle."

" When I stand before my God at the end of my life, I would hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left and could say, ' I used everything you gave me'" -Erma Bombeck