In 2017 Theresa was referred to New Ventures Maine by Fedcap Rehabilitation Services. Fedcap is an organization that helps those receiving TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) to find sustainable employment.

After going through a divorce, Theresa moved to Patten to be closer to family. Once her youngest child turned one year old, she knew she needed to seek employment. With three children of her own and a desire to help fill a need for childcare services in her region, Theresa began to entertain the idea of opening her own childcare business. With encouragement from Fedcap, she decided to move forward with this idea.

A Path Foward

To start, Theresa explored her idea through one-on-one services from NVME. Then, she enrolled in NVME’s Venturing Forth class. “The class made me take things a little more seriously and it held me accountable,” she shares. VF pushed her outside of her comfort zone and gave her confidence. After completing the class she had clear action steps and was able to move forward with opening her business.

Theresa is now the owner of Miss Theresa’s Daycare. Her biggest challenge has been, “exposing myself – putting myself out there.”She loves working with children and credits her new business with helping her become a better parent, an unexpected bonus.

Theresa feels a great sense of accomplishment. She says, “If there’s a will, there’s a way. The resources are out there, but you may have to go find them.”