| TEEN MOMS ON THE MOVE:
a follow up story |
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| In our Annual Report last year we featured one of our favourite projects, Teen Moms on the Move. This intrepid group of young women developed an outreach program for schools on the reality of teen parenting, using their own stories. Trillium provided $13,000 to develop a video of their presentation so that they could increase their outreach. Many people have asked us how the women photographed are doing, and since we wondered, too, we thought we would follow up on one of them. You will remember Jody, right in front of the group shot in the Annual Report, wearing a baseball cap and the Teen Moms T-shirt. Jody's son Corey is now 4, and Jody is in first year of the three-year Child and Youth Worker Program at George Brown College. "I'd like to work in a group home or shelter when I'm finished," she told us, "I guess I just want to give back some of what so many people have given to me." However, from our point of view, Jody has already given a lot. Jody was involved with the Teen Moms group for three years, from the time she was 16 and five months pregnant with Corey until last year. She loved writing and performing with the group, although she admits that at first she was nervous. "I had to write my lines on my arm," she laughs. Jody credits the project for her increased confidence and independence. Although every day is a challenge, and sometimes she finds it hard to balance all her responsibilities, Jody is hopeful that she and her partner, Dave, can build a comfortable and secure future for themselves and Corey. We wish them much happiness. The impact on the young mothers themselves is only half the story, however. The other half is the broader impact of the program itself. The Teen Moms have continued, using new members' stories, reaching out to hundreds of young people in schools in North York. And as well the video has been bought by over 30 schools, libraries, and community centres for use with young people. As part of the grant requirement, the project evaluated the impact of the video and presentation on young people's attitudes about teen parenting, and its effect on their own behaviour. Here is some interesting feedback: Three months after viewing the video: 93% remembered watching the video 60% decided to wait until they were older to have children 56% are being more careful about getting pregnant Some of the comments from young viewers: "I think this video made a lot of young people think twice before becoming sexually active" "They (teen moms) don't have fun anymore." "Babies are not always cute - they cry a lot." We consider this project a huge success, and are proud to have been a part of it. |
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