Winning TASA Mother's Day Card - A Wish for Love for All Mothers

For a teenager, motherhood can bring mixed feelings.  Maria M., a 19-year-old teenage mother receiving services through Children's Services' Teenage Services Act (TASA) program, views becoming a mother as a motivator.  She poured out all her love for her two-year-old daughter and her hopes for a brighter future for both of them into a Mother's Day card, which was chosen as this year's winning entry in the annual "Create a Card" competition held by TASA to commemorate Mother's Day.

Download the card in PDF

The judges all agreed that the design and poem by Maria was "beautifully crafted" and "very poignant" in its message. Maria said she tried to speak for all mothers to convey the message that "the love of our children surpasses everything else." Her winning card, one of 16 entries, expresses one wish for all mothers.  It reads: "I hope that you will experience the same kind of love that I have shared with my child sent from above."

According to Maria, being a teenage mother brought purpose to her life, motivating her to finish high school and move on the college at the New York Institute of Technology where she is majoring in human services with a goal of working with children in the future. Maria said that after becoming a mother, "I was not sure what I wanted to do in life or what I was going to be.  After seeing my baby's face every single day, a sense of motivation was aroused in my life.  I felt that I wanted to succeed."
Maria's sense of purpose comes as no surprise to TASA program staff, who note that she has shown tremendous effort towards achieving her academic goals.  "As a teen mother, she has shown great love to her daughter, and is a devoted mother, who is always there for her baby," said her social worker.  "I was thrilled when I heard that Maria had won first prize in this year's Mother's Day contest, and I continue to pray that she keeps up the good work."

Download the card in PDF

TASA is a citywide program dedicated to providing services to pregnant and parenting teenagers. The program directed by Harriet Nieves, has helped young mothers and fathers achieve their goals for the past 23 years. Maria's winning card will be reproduced and mailed to the approximately 900 teens receiving TASA Services.