Street signs. Medical forms. Job applications. Words are everywhere.

And for our young moms who are not native English speakers, lack of English proficiency makes the regular challenges of teen parenthood that much more difficult. English as a Second Language (ESL) research has shown that the ability to read, write, and speak English is one of the most important indicators of future success for immigrants to the U.S and one of the key first steps to achieving education and employment goals.

Summer is an especially tricky time for those in need of ESL instruction, because most area classes run through the school year. To fill this gap in services, YoungMoms facilitated five ESL workshops this summer to launch our non-English speakers on their language-learning journey. We provided instruction (yay for bilingual staff!), study materials, and ample time to practice new skills. We also worked with volunteers to offer transportation and child care– obstacles that might otherwise prevent our young moms from participating. And as summer came to a close, we connected each young woman to local literacy programs at the Kennett Library and Chester County Intermediate Unit for ongoing language education.

Interested in practicing English with one of our young moms? Contact our Volunteer Coordinator at Courtney.Taylor@youngmomscommunity.com for more info!

We’re thrilled that our longtime volunteer and mentor, Delfina Castro Almeyra, has joined the YoungMoms staff as a Case Manager. Delfina brings many years of experience working with nonprofit programs for youth and families in her native Argentina.

Delfina says she’s “so glad to take this next step with YoungMoms because it really is a life-changing program for teen moms and their families.”

Welcome to the team! #youngmomsscc

by Joan Holliday, Sept. 10, 2019


In interviewing community agencies for the “Story of Kennett: Shaping Our Future One Child at a Time,” Bob George and I found that mentoring is one of the primary community processes that helps our youth move forward in their lives.

Recently, I had the pleasure of friends accepting my invitation to become mentors with the YoungMoms’ organization. They are women, who have recently retired and have rich family and professional histories. They spoke about their desire to volunteer, but wanted something that would involve them more deeply in the community. They also found that signing up to become a YoungMoms’ mentor together, they have been able to support each other in the process and deepen their friendship; a reward they didn’t expect.

YoungMoms asks for a one-year mentor commitment, and requests that mentors arrange to meet with the mentee twice a month. YoungMoms participants focus on goals of completion of high school; pursuing higher education/training; moving towards gainful employment and stable housing, and gaining parenting and life skills.

 
Through the organization, a case manager works with each of the young moms to establish goals and design a path towards achieving those goals; the mentor provides whatever encouragement and practical support needed. YoungMoms offers an excellent mentor training that prepares a mentor for this new venture and provides ongoing support through mentor meetings and organized mentor/mentee activities.

The above guidelines are important, as both the mentor and mentee are making a mutual commitment to work together. At the same time, at a recent mentors’ gathering, every mentor said that they have learned the art of flexibility and that if they can’t meet with the mentee twice a month, because of the many variables that life presents, they make up for it through phone calls, text connections and attending monthly Club Night or other events together.

One mentor tells about her experience---“When I first started as a mentor, I attended my mentee’s high school graduation and had tears in my eyes as she walked across the stage. She worked four days a week, walked to/from school and took care of her baby the entire time. She did it!” It seems having someone appreciate the success of reaching goals is also a gift that the mentor gives!

Read more here!

History 

YoungMoms started as a program of The Garage Community & Youth Center in Kennett Square PA in the fall of 2010.  On January 1, 2016 we became our own 501(c) 3 non-profit organization. Over the past 7 years YoungMoms has helped over 150 young women in our local community overcome challenges, achieve goals and create a more stable future for themselves and their families.

Who we serve

YoungMoms works with pregnant and parenting young women ages 21 and younger who live in Southern Chester County, PA.  Many of our participants face huge challenges: incomplete education, poverty, single parenthood, depression , and a general lack of options and opportunities.  Participants remain in the program between two and four years, allowing us to assist them in overcoming obstacles which might normally derail their progress in achieving goals.  This long-term investment makes YoungMoms unique and life-changing.

What we do 

YoungMoms equips participants with the skills, connections, and support to overcome obstacles and achieve goals.  We accomplish that through:

• Goal setting and planning
• One-to-one mentoring
• Educational support and employment assistance
• Parenting education and development
• Case-management and referral to community resources
• Monthly club meetings in Kennett and Oxford offering relationship building and life-skills instruction.
• Our holistic approach provides participants with the support and resources necessary to help them gain control of their lives, make healthy personal decisions, attain financial stability, and improve their lives and the lives of their children.