WHAT began as a message of inspiration ended with a gesture of generosity when former teen mother Shantel McLean Ford donated $105,000 in scholarships to support the educational dreams of five adolescent mothers during the Women’s Centre of Jamaica Foundation (WCJF) Kingston Centre graduation ceremony on July 2.

Now a registered nurse, registered midwife, and the 2024/2025 Nurse of Excellence at University Hospital of the West Indies, Ford returned to her alma mater not only as keynote speaker, but as proof of what is possible when young mothers are supported.

Ford, who became a mother at age 15, shared her story of balancing motherhood and academics.

“There were nights I cried, days I doubted myself. I studied with my baby on my hip,” she recalled. “My child was not my weakness — he became my why.”

Her donation provided $15,000 each to four graduating and reintegrated students while $30,000 went to valedictorian Treshanna Thompson, who will be pursuing studies at the tertiary level.

“I am very happy and grateful for the way the Women’s Centre treated us and supported us,” Thompson responded on behalf of the recipients. “We were never made to feel like we are less than. We were always reminded that we can do anything we put our minds to. I’m even more determined now to accomplish my dreams, because I see that someone who was in my shoes is doing well — and is actually helping others.”

Executive director of WCJF, Novlette Howell, praised Ford’s generosity and the impact of her story.

“To witness one of our past students, stand before us as a successful professional and giving back in this way is truly moving,” Howell said. “It reinforces why we do this work. Her story reminds every girl in our programme — and every staff member — that transformation is possible. I am deeply motivated to continue fighting for every young mother who walks through our doors.”

This year, 14 students exited the Programme for Adolescent Mothers at the Kingston centre and will begin vocational and tertiary-level training, while 59 others are scheduled to re-enter the formal secondary school system in September.

The Women’s Centre of Jamaica Foundation, an agency of the Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, provides holistic support to adolescent mothers. Its services include academic instruction, parenting education, counselling, and day-care. The foundation’s primary mission is to reintegrate young mothers into the school system and reduce the risk of a second unplanned pregnancy. WCJF currently operates from 13 locations islandwide.