NEW MOMS INC

Results: Founded in 1983, New Moms, Inc. serves at-risk teen parents and their children; providing supportive housing as well as mentoring in life-planning goals, education, financial literacy, career choices, personal development, community involvement, child development, and positive parenting skills. 1992: Chosen by State of IL as the shelter program model used by the Dept. of Children and Family Services. 1996: Chosen by the Ounce of Prevention Fund to create a pilot welfare-to-work program for pregnant/parenting teens. 2000: Featured in manual/video package highlighting model welfare-to-work programs in the U.S. 2003: Opened the first Bright Space in Chicago. This play space is part of a national initiative between Bright Horizons Foundation for Children and local homeless shelters for women and children. 2004: The IL Dept. of Human Services awarded $129,000 to expand our supportive housing program and enhance our Rising Star Program. 2008: Five New Moms Leadership Council Members honored by the 14th District Police Commander and Alderman Colon (of the 35th Ward) for their volunteer work with a Domestic Violence Project. In 2007 and 2008, we served 722 high-risk teen mothers and young children, providing 27,155 nights of supportive housing to 164 young homeless families. 89 families leaving our supportive housing facility secured stable housing. 99 youth became employed through our career programs; 71% at higher than minimum wage. 141 moms enrolled in or graduated from school, a GED program, or vocational training. The Annie E. Casey Foundation (2004) reports that only 33% of teen moms nationally will graduate from high school; but at New Moms, 62% graduated! Over 29,500 meals were served during program hours to teens and children. 134 children received Denver II Developmental Screenings to ensure they are developing normally. The repeat pregnancy rate for teenage mothers in Illinois is 24%. In 2008 at New Moms, the rate of repeat pregnancy was only 0.7%!

Direct beneficiaries per year: 300

Geographic areas served: All Chicago; Austin; West Town; Humboldt Park and Logan Square

Programs: New moms' innovative transformation center housing (known, in part, as community-based case management in fy 2014) program provides comprehensive housing and supportive services to homeless and near-homeless adolescent parents (ages 18-24). Opened in 2013, the transformation center serves 40 homeless adolescent parents and up to 50 children in a single-site, single-family apartment model.

the academy of professional development provides crucial career-readiness support and life-skills counseling as well as assessments of vocational interests and aptitudes. An 8-week paid transitional job at the social enterprise, bright endeavors, gives participants an opportunity to gain work skills and move toward economic independence.

bright beginnings (known as parents as teachers in fy 2014) provides support to help adolescent mothers learn to be their children's first, best teacher, and ultimately help break the cycle of unplanned pregnancy. Home visiting and community-based doula services are provided, as well as prenatal and parent support groups.