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How hard is it to be a mother? A child explains.

My name is Rosa Duran. I got pregnant at 14.

I was confused and sad because the baby's father had broken up with me. I didn't know what to do. I had a vision for my life. Travel, a career, make something of myself. But my world came crashing down around me.

While my friends were going out, having fun in high school, I was busy breastfeeding, soothing a baby, changing diapers and dealing with despair. I knew I made a mistake. So my nurse suggested I go to United Way.

There, I attended classes that helped me become a parent at a very young age. I'm fine now. I've made it. Vanessa is 5 years old and I love her to death. She is everything to me. If you ever wanted to know what happens to the money that you give United Way, remember us. It helped us receive the love, support and faith that saw us through. Today, I have a great job and the confidence to do anything I want to.

Thank you for giving to United Way. Your money got to us.