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An article out of the Marion Daily newspaper in Illinois recently caught my attention. The article highlights the Refuge Home, a program for young, single mothers.
I’m not too fond of the name of the home, but the program itself sounds pretty good. This program is an in house program where single mothers over the age of eighteen can come live with their babies. They can stay until their child turns two or sometimes longer, depending on the situation.
The home has a staff so there is always someone around to help out if needed. The girls in the home are encouraged to pursue their education by either getting their GED or attending classes at a nearby college. Some of the women choose to work.
Residents are also taught parenting skills. They also have a budgeting class so that when they do live on their own again, they will be better equipped to handle their own finances. Residents who are employed are asked to give half of their paychecks to the home. Half of that goes towards bills that the home acquires and the other half of that is put into a fund for that particular girl so when she is ready to leave she has money for down payments and other living expenses.
In a second article about the home, I read about a young mother, named Donna who almost placed her daughter for adoption. In fact, she was about to meet with adoptive families when she visited the home with her eight day old daughter, Faith. She moved in immediately and stayed there for two and a half years. While there she got an associate’s degree in special education. Four years later, she and Faith are living happily on their own and Donna is a daycare teacher working towards a Bachelor’s Degree.
I think a home like this one is a good alternative for a young woman who may have little to none family support and help and may not have acquired the parenting skills needed to care for her newborn. Through this program, Mothers and babies are able to stay together.
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Thanks Coley, a story to make me smile for sure!
That sounds like a great program. More of those need to be built around this country and overseas.
Having worked through our daughter’s unplanned pregnancy, my family has become more aware of the need for programs that support young parents. We now provide financial support for a private program in our area that offers housing, parenting education, academic education, and job training for young parents. I have gone to fund raisers for the program and have been amazed to meet people that I know wbo have been touched by the need to help parents in need.
May these programs grow and prosper!
Janet
I’d love to hear more about programs like this! Great blog!!!