Teen moms create art piece for HCC

HOLYOKE, Mass. (WWLP) - There's a unique addition with a deeper meaning in the Kittredge Center at Holyoke Community College.

Take a look at "Alchemy", a mobile created by teen-age mothers who attend the Care Center in Holyoke. Women at the Care Center worked on this piece of art for months, in collaboration with the Smith College Art Department and HCC.

“Alchemy” is a metaphor for the transition teen-age moms go through while attending the Care Center to achieve their High School Equivalency. Many continue their educations at HCC.

"They inspired me to do so much,” said Tamra Smith, a Care Center graduate. “Now I'm going to college, and I'm going to keep going until I make a successful life for me and my daughter."

Care Center Executive Director Anne Teschner said, “I just love the idea that they're going to walk by that every time they go to class, and have the sense that... 'That’s me! That's me in that building.’  I love that."

The Care Center in Holyoke helps teen-age mothers achieve their GED while providing daycare for their children, parenting skills instruction, and strong encouragement to continue their educations in college.