My project is in Denver, Colorado. I work at Bridgeway, which is a home for homeless pregnant teens and their babies. My title is that of house "mom." I use the word "mom" loosely because being a mother means a lot more than what I do every day. This year I've learned a great deal about what it means to be a mom and the struggles and joys of being one. I'm sure what I have gained through osmosis in working with the young moms is just a small piece of what it actually means to be a mother.

I think that the young moms that I work with have it a bit harder than most of the other moms I know. These young women are, for the most part, on their own. Many of their choices in the past haven't been the best. Some of their pasts have included a myriad of unhealthy decisions and relationships. Most of them haven't had mother or parenting role models to learn from. They have no real support system, other than Bridgeway, to give them guidance, praise, and encouragement. They are having to learn on their own what it takes to be the great parent they all want to be.

Even though most of these moms are young and at first glance seem childlike themselves, their maturity has impressed me. These young women have to grow up quickly in order to take on the responsibility of single parenting. And they are doing just that–taking the responsibility.

I've also seen the mothers agonize over not getting to spend enough time with their babies because of time spent at work. Three hours a day isn't much time, especially when they are growing and changing so quickly. Watching one mom's frustration over social aid being taken away because she bought a used car that she was able to save up for. Planning and budgeting for the future can be discouraging when no one is willing to help financially raise these loving children.

In watching and interacting with these moms, I am beginning to understand the happiness they gain from their precious little ones–to watch a sleeping little boy wake up in the morning and smile at his mom because he knows she'll be the one to give him his kisses, play with him, and take care of him, or to have a one-year-old walk over to you and give you a sweet little kiss on the cheek just because he wants to. It is exciting to be here to see these tiny two-week-olds develop and grow into laughing, smiling, hugging, crawling and walking toddlers.

When beginning this year, I didn't quite know what I would gain from being here. I thought that I would be the one who was the "mom" and the role model, yet I have found that it is both me and these mothers who are role models for each other. Each of the moms here at Bridgeway has taught me some tricks of the trade of motherhood that I will cherish and use when raising my own children.