Congratulations to Yesenya Consuelo, alley’s house 2011 Mother of the Year
alley's house 2011 Mother of the Year Yesenya Consuelo with members of Alpha Omicron Sigma alumnae chapter. The sorority alumnae chapter donated the gift basket for alley's house 2011 Mother of the Year.
When Yesenya Consuelo heard her name announced as alley’s house Mother of the Year, she said was shocked that it was she was the one to receive the honor.
“I was really surprised,” Yesenya said. “I didn’t expect it at all when Ms. Allison said my name, I was so shocked.”
Each year at the alley’s house Mother’s Day Picnic the Mother of the Year is announced. alley’s house teen moms submit an application to be considered for the honor which includes an essay about why they feel they deserve to be alley’s house Mother of the Year.
Yesenya with her 3-year-old daughter, Ilyne. Yesenya said it is Ilyne who gives her ultimate motivation to strive towards her goals to achieve independence. Photo by Kalli Barker.
Yesenya enrolled in alley’s house almost two years ago. Since that time she has been studying for the GED exam, which she plans on taking in June. After she passes the GED, the young mom plans to pursue a degree as a pharmacy technician.
“I have always wanted to be in a medical field of some sort because I know it is going to be a secure job,” she said, “ and that is important to me.”
Attending tutoring several days each week, Yesenya said, has helped her feel confident about passing the GED exam. She said that the tutoring available through alley’s house has been extremely helpful.
“I have learned so much since I have been coming to alley’s house,” she said. “When I started I didn’t know how to divide or multiply. All the tutors were there to help me and encourage me….there is always someone at alley’s house telling me I can do this. It gave me a lot of confidence.”
She said that motivation has helped her keep going forward and focus on her goals.
But overall, Yesenya said it is her 3-year-old daughter, Ilyne, who motivates her to be successful; alley’s house is what is making success a reality.
“Before alley’s house I had nothing,” she said. “I had dropped out of school, I had no job…I had to do something. I had a daughter to take car of so I had to get on my feet and do something for her.”
Today, it looks as if that motivation is beginning to pay off. Yesenya is making final preparations to take her GED. She is going through all of her practice tests to improve on the questions she missed. She said she is doing well on the practices tests and feels ready to take the exam. She thanks her daughter for the motivation to keep her going.
“She is the one that motivates me to keep going to school,” she said. “I am doing this all for her so she can have a better life.”
