News · 07.15.2010 Meet a LifeHouse Resident

Meet a LifeHouse Resident

School has always come easy for Avery Jensen. When she discovered she was several weeks pregnant, the first question on her mind was, “How am I going to finish school?” Avery, now 17, moved from Africa six years ago. She is fluent in both French and English and has a near perfect GPA. “School is important to me,” says Avery. “I want to be able to hold an intelligent conversation with other people and not be in the dark about what is being discussed.”

Avery’s stay at LifeHouse allows her to keep on track with her school work. Approaching her senior year, Avery has already completed college entrance exams and is awaiting her results. Avery hopes to attend either Concordia University in Austin, TX or St. Thomas University in Houston. She is also busy gathering volunteer hours over the summer that will help her complete requirements for graduation. When asked about her future plans she admits, “I would love to study medicine but I really don’t like science. As long as I get to work with children I will be happy.”

LifeHouse has given Avery both the opportunity to achieve her goals and keep her baby. Avery’s family did not support her decision to keep her child. Without a safe haven, Avery’s only other choice would have been abortion. Avery’s church stepped in to counsel both Avery and her mom telling them about how LifeHouse could help. Avery’s mother eventually agreed to let her join the LifeHouse family. Now, less than four short months away from her due date, Avery is on her way to a bright future for both herself and her baby boy.

* Name changed to protect privacy