CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Lannah grew up hard, moving in and out of foster homes because of her mother's drug problem. She dropped out of school, hitched up with an abusive boyfriend and wound up pregnant and alone.

But Lannah wants to be a good mother. Now she goes to New Connections every afternoon.

One of three programs offered by Daymark social services agency, New Connections offers five apartments for youth between the ages of 16 and 21 who are homeless or in the custody of the state. There, Lannah is working on her GED while learning how to take care of herself, manage a household, and be the best mother she can for her young child. She knows getting her diploma is the first step in providing a good life for her daughter.

Lannah likes the individual attention she gets at New Connections, and the 24-hour support and supervision. She is even making up with her mother, who has been clean and sober for the longest time since Lannah can remember.

New Connections offers a full-time adult education instructor four days a week, plus guidance and training in life skills.

But Daymark, which runs New Connections, is always in need of donations to help buy sheets, towels, used clothing, toiletries, school supplies and games.

Please help organizations like Daymark continue their work by donating to the Gazette Charities Christmas Fund. (Look for the donation coupon with this article.)

When you make a donation to the Gazette Charities Fund, every penny goes to the agencies and people who need help.

The Gazette covers the administrative costs of the fund. All donations to Gazette Charities are tax deductible.

To donate online, go to wvgazette.com and click on the Gazette Charities Christmas Fund logo.

Reach Rusty Marks at rustyma...@wvgazette.com or 304-348-1215.