Although a teenager at the time, when Dominique Daye learned she was pregnant, her priorities became her son and planning for their future. She didn't have a car or a stable living environment, so she moved from Indianapolis to O'Connor House, a home for single mothers and their children located in Carmel, where she stayed for more than 18 months until she could secure a place of her own.

“Dominique faced obstacles, but she advocated fiercely for herself and her son to overcome them,” said Máire Stocking, RN, her Nurse Home Visitor through Nurse-Family Partnership.

Nurse-Family Partnership, implemented in Indiana by Goodwill in 2011, is a life-changing program that pairs low-income, first-time mothers with registered nurses to ensure healthy pregnancies and child development.

“Máire provided me with resources and information about what to expect while I was pregnant and after Jaycob was born,” said Dominique. “She helped me feel more prepared for his arrival.”

Although she could have pursued a GED, it was important to Dominique to earn a diploma. To achieve this, she traveled four hours round-trip from Carmel to The Excel Center Meadows in Indianapolis, using transportation provided by O'Connor House part of the way, then public transportation for the remainder.

“I knew school would be even more difficult once Jaycob arrived, and I wanted to get it out of the way,” said Dominique. “The Excel Center is flexible and works with students based on their needs, so I was able to accelerate my coursework.”

In addition, she juggled a job, letting her employer know that her son and her education were her top priorities.

“Máire encouraged me to focus on the positive and keep moving forward,” said Dominique. “I knew I could count on her for support.”

In May 2016, Dominique graduated from The Excel Center and moved into her own apartment. When she transferred jobs to a location closer to her new home, she negotiated a higher wage based on what she had been earning previously for comparable work.

“I am so proud of the strides she has made and excited to see what comes next for her,” said Máire.

Dominique’s primary concern is providing a safe, nurturing environment to her son, but she continues to strive toward her goals, which include enrolling in the nursing program at Ivy Tech.

“I’m proud of where I am now,” said Dominique. “I would most definitely recommend Nurse-Family Partnership to friends and family.”

Enjoyed reading Dominique's story? You may appreciate some of our other inspiring Nurse-Family Partnership graduate stories.