In 2001, Nakia Coleman left her home in New York with dreams of attending the University of Maryland Law School. Life took an unexpected turn when she discovered she was pregnant with her daughter, Sanae, and her partner, Jamel, had a stroke. His stroke left him disabled at just 27, a blow that tested Nakia’s resolve and resilience. Jamel would later pass away when Sanae was just 12 years old. Faced with these overwhelming challenges, Nakia found herself navigating motherhood and adversity largely alone.
By the time Sanae was born three months premature, Nakia’s future seemed uncertain. She had already enrolled in multiple social service programs but the strain of her circumstances was immense.
Nakia and Sanae joined Healthy Families Baltimore County (HFBC) and graduated in 2007, and their participation proved transformative. Through HFBC, Nakia gained access to a network of support and resources, including assistance with finding preschool for Sanae and participating in enriching family activities like zoo trips and family days. The program not only offered practical support but also emotional encouragement.
“Healthy Families became the family I needed, showing me where to go and how to do it,” Nakia reflects on the support she received during these trying times.
A poignant memory for Nakia was during one Christmas when financial constraints made it impossible to afford presents for Sanae. Thanks to the Salvation Army’s angel tree, Sanae received toys, a small but significant reminder of the community’s care.
Nakia’s Family Support Specialist, Fatima, played a special role as well and extended beyond just providing resources; she helped Nakia with practical issues like signing up for Access-a-Ride, ensuring that Nakia, Jamel, and Sanae could attend HFBC activities despite transportation challenges.
Home visits from Fatima were crucial for Nakia, especially as she battled depression. These visits offered not just guidance but a sense of connection and hope. “Fatima was always graceful and she didn’t know it at the time, but when she would share parts of her personal life with me, it made it relatable and personable. It gave me motivation that I could do it and that I can keep going.”
The journey with HFBC was not without its challenges. Initially, Nakia approached the program with skepticism, feeling like it might imply criticism of her parenting. However, she soon realized the program’s true value. “I started out with a lot of facetiousness and trepidation just because I thought someone was saying I wasn’t a good parent. But then the light bulb came on… why was this needed? Then I went into it thinking that I need to take advantage and utilize the program because its goal is to benefit us.”
The support and guidance from HFBC helped Nakia make significant strides in her personal and family life. “All of those types of things were just instrumental in us being a family. It really helped me become a good mom and also a good woman,” she shares.
Sanae has a baby box filled with pictures and moments of time. She still has tokens in her dads handwriting from HF activities. “If Fatima and you guys hadn’t included Jamel, she may not have had those memories of her father.” The program’s influence extended well beyond her time with them, leaving a lasting imprint on her and her daughter’s lives.
Today, Nakia channels her experiences into advocacy work, focusing on families and seniors. She is an active member of the Maryland Food Bank Speakers Bureau and has recently contributed to their Voices Campaign, sharing her journey as a single mother.
Sanae, now a student at Morgan State University majoring in computer science, is a testament to her mother’s resilience and determination. Alongside her studies, she plays three instruments and is the president of the Google Student Development Club at Morgan State. She also dedicates time to the Baltimore City Department of Recreation, where she works with children.
For those who follow in Nakia’s footsteps, her advice is heartfelt: “Tell staff to not give up and keep going. I know the world has changed a lot in 20 something years. I know that it can be challenging and sometimes disheartening and you feel like you’re not making a difference. But every seed you plant can grow if taken care of. Sometimes all you can do is just plant the seed. You may not be there to see it grow but at least you know you planted it somewhere.”
Nakia’s journey from struggling single mother to advocate and role model is a powerful example of how support systems like Healthy Families Baltimore County can make a profound difference in people’s lives.
