By AL STOVER
Staff Reporter 

West Plains YoungLives gives outreach to teen moms

 

Last updated 5/4/2017 at 5:06pm



Young mothers, ages 12-16 years old, who need a little bit of help can find it in the form of the West Plains YoungLives club.

The club, which is a part of the West Plains Young Lifes network, is a group that provides support and outreach to local teen moms and mothers-to-be. It currently meets on the first and third Thursdays of the month from 6-7:30 p.m. at Medical Lake Community Church annex. The group has its meetings during the school year, however it also coordinates playdates with mothers and babies in the summer.

According to club leader Teresa Hudson, the group was started by Cathy Johnson, who had gone to YoungLives camp for teen moms. The group has been helping young mothers for 5-6 years.

“But teen moms are hard to find,” Hudson said. “In our society, there are not many people who want to help them out. But there are people who want to help and we’re one of those groups.”

At the meetings, mothers are treated to a dinner, play games and engage in group discussions. They also learn about local, state and federal resources and programs available to them. On some nights, there are activities like a cooking class, self-defense course or a spa night.

Mothers can receive free diapers, wipes, formula and other essential items, all of which are donated. They can also sign up for infant clothing and accessories.

In the summer, there is a week-long camp for teen mothers and their babies to attend.

The group also helps mothers with matters like adopting out their baby, grief after a miscarriage and being in an abusive relationship.

“Those are not easy talks, but they are necessary,” Hudson said. “We also want to push them into being educated and employment. We want to help build that confidence and make sure they are in a safe place.”

The club will contact Medical Lake High School counselors, who can identify students who might need their help. Hudson said the group is hoping to establish a YoungLives office in Cheney.

One way the club raises funds is through discount cards. The group is always in need of donations, as well as volunteers to help with childcare and transportation — they can be anyone from high school age to grandparents. It is also looking to find more mentors who were teen mothers.

“Teen mothers need to meet someone who is juggling their life and being a good mom, but also someone who can be alongside them and listen,” Hudson said.

The group is working with Cheney’s Young Life chapter to establish a YoungLives club in the city. Hudson’s vision for the program is to have clubs in Cheney and Medical Lake, and either Airway Heights or Reardan — and for those groups to all come together once a month.

YoungLives

For more information on West Plains Younglives, contact Teresa Hudson at (509) 953-7789.

Al Stover can be reached at al@cheneyfreepress.com.

 

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