Help for Teen Mothers in Denver, Colorado
Teenage pregnancy usually creates a crisis situation for the young girl and her family. A pregnant teen requires support, proper medical care, and education about nutrition and other effects on her unborn child, advises the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. Teen mothers are more likely to drop out of school than other teenagers, which can restrict future employment and economic opportunities. In Denver, several organizations exist that provide young women with support and guidance during this difficult period.
Other People Are Reading
-
Education
-
Florence Crittenton School, operated by Florence Crittenton Services, provides education, parenting training and career guidance to teenage mothers in cooperation with the city's public school district. The non-compulsory facility serves as many as 175 pregnant or parenting girls between the ages of 12 and 21 per quarter. Young women may attend the school for a period of time between one semester and five years.
Childcare Help
-
Florence Crittenton Services operates a licensed Qualistar-rated Early Learning Center, which supports young mothers attending the Crittenton School by providing quality childcare and early education for their infants and toddlers. The center focuses on developing each child's language and motor skills, as well as the facilitating cognitive, emotional and social growth. The Family Engagement Center educates young fathers in parenting skills and helps families learn how they can best support young mothers.
-
Self-Sufficiency
-
Hope House of Colorado administers several programs designed to promote self-sufficiency among teen mothers. Its two-year Residential Program allows young mothers to live in a safe, structured environment while participating in life-skills and parenting classes, Bible study and career-training programs. The Hope House Mentoring Program provides weekly meetings for teen mothers and adult mentors while helping inexperienced moms gain access to community resources. Hope House also provides GED preparation in small group settings.
Drop-In Center
-
Movement 5280, which operates a teen drop-in center, is an organization that seeks to help downtown Denver's teens through support groups and mentoring. With small-group activities and guest speakers, the agency offers teen mothers life-skill classes that specialize in parenting techniques, budgeting, Bible study and cooking. The group provides childcare during special events and helps provide mothers with diapers, formula and clothing for their children.
Mothers of Preschoolers
-
Although not aimed solely at teen moms, Mothers of Preschoolers -- or MOPS -- strives to ensure that no mother is alone. The organization provides support to homeless, teen and other single mothers in the Denver area. MOPS offers a curriculum specific to teenage mothers, which features Movement 5280 activities.
-
References
Resources
- Photo Credit Photodisc/Photodisc/Getty Images
