Society may look down its nose at teen parents, but theyB次元官网网址檙e the ones running the show at the Young Parents Support Network.

B次元官网网址淲e have a board of directors who are current or past participants, as well as young parents who are very tuned into what the parents we work with want as programs,B次元官网网址� said Young Parents Support Network program co-ordinator Margo dB次元官网网址橝rchangelo.

The Young Parents Support Network, a small, non-profit group that has helped young parent families around Greater Victoria since 1994, offers support to parents between the ages of 13 and 29. It assists with family support, prenatal outreach, parenting education, a naturopath clinic, a free store, a workout group and more.

The group serves 170 families; participants choose the programs that are most suited to their needs.

B次元官网网址淎 large portion of the population we serve are in tricky economic situations,B次元官网网址� said dB次元官网网址橝rchangelo. B次元官网网址淎 large portion of them are also well below what is considered to be low income.B次元官网网址�

The Young Parents Support Network provides group, one-on-one and in-home services to young parent families. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 open to everybody. You can still be really isolated even if youB次元官网网址檙e (not low income),B次元官网网址� she said.

The Young Parents Support Network is there to help young parents cope with one of the biggest challenges in life B次元官网网址� raising kids.

B次元官网网址淭he youngest of the young parents use the service most intensely,B次元官网网址�  dB次元官网网址橝rchangelo said. B次元官网网址淭hey cycle through, then things become more stable and they become more committed to give back to the community.B次元官网网址�

The organization is funded entirely by donations including those that come through the United Way, the Community Action Initiative, the Victoria Foundation and the Community Action Program for Children.

B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e really respectful, and therefore really responsible, to the population we work with. WeB次元官网网址檙e right here listening to their needs. Sometimes a program thatB次元官网网址檚 really needed doesnB次元官网网址檛 get to continue because thereB次元官网网址檚 no funding,B次元官网网址� dB次元官网网址橝rchangelo said.

This year Black PressB次元官网网址� Pennies for Presents fundraiser will help five organizations including the Young Parents Support Network, the Mary Manning Centre, Threshold Housing Society, Victoria READ Society and suicide prevention group, NEED2.

Pennies for Presents has raised about $618,000 for local charities since the campaignB次元官网网址檚 inception 15 years ago.

Last year, more than $12,000 was generated by businesses, schoolchildren and readers of the Victoria B次元官网网址, Saanich B次元官网网址, Oak Bay B次元官网网址, Goldstream B次元官网网址 Gazette and Monday Magazine.

How you can help

B次元官网网址� Cash donations can be dropped off at Black Press head office, 818 Broughton St. and at the Goldstream B次元官网网址 Gazette, 117-777 Goldstream Ave. in Langford.

B次元官网网址� For a list of businesses that are accepting donations, watch for notices in the Victoria B次元官网网址 and Victoria B次元官网网址 Daily.

B次元官网网址� Schools interested in participating can call 250-381-3633 ext. 269 or email kslavin@saanichnews.com.