DENVER - There was a day when Teray Esquibel was just another teen. Until the day when he was just 15 years old, and found out his girlfriend Michelle was pregnant.
Teray was going to be a dad, the question was - whether he was going to stay and be a father.
"I was doubting what kind of father would I be," Teray told FOX31 News.
Baby Avery was born in April, three months premature. And by then Teray had made up his mind, he was going to stay in his child's life.
"This is my responsibility, I need to do what I need to do," Esquibel said.
It was a choice that defied the odds. Nationally, only 10 percent of teen fathers have regular contact with their kids.
In this case Esquibel decided to stay with mom, and baby. And, it turns out, there was someone at his side the whole time too, a mentor provided by a Denver based program, Parent Pathways.
"They're a sounding board, an opportunity to talk safely without judgment," said program director Sue Caparelli.
Parent Pathways says they have been able to double the national average, keeping two in ten teen dads involved with their kids. Not perfect, but it's a start.
"We do believe we are having success," Caparelli said.
Teray credits his own dad, and his mentor father with showing him the ropes, and giving him the courage to fulfill his responsibilities.
He's looking forward to the rest of his life as a father, helping another life enter the world.
"I'm a dad, I can say it with pride," the young father said. "The one thing I do know is that I'll be there, no matter what."
For more on Parent Pathways visit, or to volunteer visit: http://www.parentpathways.org
Teray was going to be a dad, the question was - whether he was going to stay and be a father.
"I was doubting what kind of father would I be," Teray told FOX31 News.
Baby Avery was born in April, three months premature. And by then Teray had made up his mind, he was going to stay in his child's life.
"This is my responsibility, I need to do what I need to do," Esquibel said.
It was a choice that defied the odds. Nationally, only 10 percent of teen fathers have regular contact with their kids.
In this case Esquibel decided to stay with mom, and baby. And, it turns out, there was someone at his side the whole time too, a mentor provided by a Denver based program, Parent Pathways.
"They're a sounding board, an opportunity to talk safely without judgment," said program director Sue Caparelli.
Parent Pathways says they have been able to double the national average, keeping two in ten teen dads involved with their kids. Not perfect, but it's a start.
"We do believe we are having success," Caparelli said.
Teray credits his own dad, and his mentor father with showing him the ropes, and giving him the courage to fulfill his responsibilities.
He's looking forward to the rest of his life as a father, helping another life enter the world.
"I'm a dad, I can say it with pride," the young father said. "The one thing I do know is that I'll be there, no matter what."
For more on Parent Pathways visit, or to volunteer visit: http://www.parentpathways.org
