Traditional Program

Teen Moms is a program serving teenage mothers and their children. The goal of Teen Moms is to allow each teen the opportunity to finish high school, attend college, obtain a technical certificate, or pursue any other opportunity which would allow her to become self-sufficient. Her dedication to this goal and willingness to delay a subsequent pregnancy are determining factors of her acceptance into the Teen Moms Program.

Teen Moms serves women between the ages of 13 and 23 who have chosen to parent and have not yet obtained their high school diploma OR are transitioning from high school to full time employment, college course work or technical/certificate programs.

Teen Moms offers…

• Discovery workshops
• Mentors
• Individual, face to face visits
• Referrals as appropriate

Teen mothers receiving assistance from Teen Moms must be willing to…

• Attend school/work full time
• Maintain a grade of at least a “C” in all classes
• Delay a subsequent pregnancy
• Attend weekly Discovery workshops

The students also work on individual goals and can earn incentives for meeting these goals. They also earn Teen Moms Bucks weekly which they can spend in our “store” to purchase diapers, clothes, wipes, bathing items, books, movies, etc.

The five major roles of a teenage mother…

• Teenager – Understand that she thinks like a teenager and she acts like a teenager.
• Mother – Understand that while she is desirous of being a good mother, a teenage mother often lacks the knowledge and resources to make that happen.
• Student – Understand that while she is probably still a high school student, she is also a student of life.
• Employee – Understand that she will need to find some way of supporting herself as well as her child in the future.
• Seeker – Understand that she is in need of faith.

The Teen Moms Program has a need for the following volunteers…

• Meal providers – provide a meal for the group prior to the weekly Discovery Workshop; one time or as often as you like.
• Discovery workshop teacher – share your knowledge about a particular skill; one time.
• Mentors – a woman who befriend one teen mom and helps to her be successful in meeting her goals; approximately 10 hours per month with a one year commitment.

Off Site Programs

Catholic Social Service has been able to provide an outreach service to the Second Opportunity School (SOS) for the last two years. The coordinator goes to the SOS building twice per month and holds Discovery Workshops for the teenage mothers that are attending alternative school. They are also able to earn Teen Moms Bucks to use in our store. They are provided with information about the traditional program at Catholic Social Service. Several of the SOS students have become enrolled in the traditional program at Catholic Social Service due to being introduced to it at SOS. This program has become a very supportive environment for the young mothers who attend.

Catholic Social Service will begin providing outreach services similar to the services provided at SOS, to the Dodge City High School in March of 2008. The coordinator will provide the parenting students with Discovery Workshops during their opportunity period twice per month. They will also be able to earn Teen Moms Bucks to use in our store as well as be given information about the traditional Teen Moms Program offered at Catholic Social Service.