“I was worried that I was a bad mom."

Giovanna Riggs' son wasn't eating, and nothing she tried with the then-three-year-old was working.

Giovanna, 31, is a single working mother of three, and she counts Neighborhood Health Center as an important part of her support system. She first became a mother at 19 years old, and now has a 12 year old daughter, a 7 year old son, and a 6 month old son. Her Neighborhood support system was there for her during her now 7 year old son's eating situation. Dana Ingebretson, a registered dietitian and wellness department chair at Neighborhood, reassured Giovanna that eating challenges were normal at her son’s age and they would develop strategies to address it together. That was a confidence booster to Giovanna. 

“That’s what I really needed to hear at the time,” said Giovanna. A reward system is now helping get her son to eat. She also says Dana has helped her learn more about the nutritional needs of all her children and given her ideas for foods to try with them.

Giovanna first came to Neighborhood as a teenager in 2009, thanks to her guardian at the time, and became a pediatric patient of Dr. Gail Ferguson, the “best pediatrician of all time” according to Giovanna. So, when her own children needed a pediatrician, she brought them to Dr. Ferguson. 

“My children love to go see [Dr. Ferguson],” said Giovanna. “She is very good at what she does. Anytime the kids are sick, anytime they need anything, she is on top of it.”

Neighborhood’s obstetrics and gynecology team is also part of Giovanna’s support system. They delivered her babies and recognized signs of postpartum depression following one of her pregnancies. “‘We have counseling services right here, I can get you an appointment’,” Giovanna recalls her OBGYN provider telling her. “I said, ‘okay, I’ll give it a shot’.” That’s how Giovanna added Neighborhood’s behavioral health counseling services to her support system.

Since 2016, Giovanna has worked as a teacher’s assistant for Buffalo Public Schools. 

“Between my job and being a full-time single mother of three, it’s a lot,” said Giovanna. She’s found Neighborhood’s evening hours, and telehealth options for certain types of appointments, make it easier for her and her children to get the care they need.

Giovanna was going through a particularly tough time a few years ago, and she needed some extra support beyond the scope of Neighborhood’s services. After talking with her provider about her situation, Neighborhood’s community health team connected her with community resources to get clothes for her children and manage that difficult period.

“[My Neighborhood providers] have always told me, ‘if you need something don’t be afraid to reach out’,” said Giovanna. “[They] go above and beyond to make sure my, and my children’s, healthcare needs are met.”

Today, Giovanna is working on lowering her blood pressure. It’s a work in progress. She continues to meet with Dana to learn healthy eating patterns that she can model for her kids. She credits her Neighborhood support system of primary care, behavioral health, dental care, and nutrition for helping make life as a single working mom more manageable.

“I feel like I have a team of cheerleaders behind me,” said Giovanna. “They always make time and care for me and my family.”