Pregnant, 15-years-old and in high school can be the loneliest place in the world.
Alicia Pearce and Jennifer Powell lived that life 15 years ago while trying to finish school Belmont secondary. In the process they managed lay the groundwork for a support group that is helping young moms to this day.
At the time, both attended a parenting course at Belmont offered by Maureen Hobbs, a public health nurse who is now a member of the faculty of nursing at the University of Victoria.
Young moms coming together for support was an idea the women knew had to last beyond the school semester. B次元官网网址淚t was started by stubborn moms,B次元官网网址� Powell quipped. B次元官网网址淲ho wanted to be good moms,B次元官网网址� Pearce added.
B次元官网网址淚t just grew from there. We knew we needed a place to talk about what we are going through,B次元官网网址� says Pearce, now a mother of two. The support group became Moms and Mentors.
B次元官网网址淏eing 15 with a baby, your friends donB次元官网网址檛 know what you are going through. We met moms, built friendships and relationships. WeB次元官网网址檙e a family now B次元官网网址� thatB次元官网网址檚 what itB次元官网网址檚 given us.B次元官网网址�
Hobbs, Pearce and Powell are part of the mentoring team who help dozens of young moms at weekly meetings and over the phone. These days the group meets in a portable classroom behind Ruth King elementary in Langford.
B次元官网网址淚 get a lot of B次元官网网址榤y baby is sickB次元官网网址� kind of calls,B次元官网网址� says Powell, a nurse. B次元官网网址淎nd legal calls (over custody). I often sit in court with a mom because its no fun going by yourself.B次元官网网址�
B次元官网网址淢ostly the group talks about kids, different experiences and troubles with kids. Things like teething and what we can do to help,B次元官网网址� Pearce says. B次元官网网址淲e still have the same issues. ThereB次元官网网址檚 always first-time moms no matter what.B次元官网网址�
Despite the consistent number of women who attend group meetings and seek parenting advice, Hobbs suspects there are many young moms in the community who are unaware that free parenting programs are available B次元官网网址� such as day care at Belmont secondary.
In co-operation with the Sooke School District and UVic, Hobbs is guiding the Young Mothers Project, a survey of young moms on the West Shore and Sooke. Moms are being queried on what programs they use and what support they would like to see.
B次元官网网址淢any moms donB次元官网网址檛 know about programs in the community,B次元官网网址� Hobbs says. B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e not sure how many moms are in the community not going to school. Being a young mom can be very isolating.B次元官网网址�
Stephanie Kopp, 22, and a single mom, says Moms and Mentors helped keep her on track to finish high school when she had her son five years ago.
B次元官网网址淭alking about parenting helped with the struggle of being young and in school,B次元官网网址� she says. B次元官网网址淢oms and mentors helped me get out of the house. A baby can be all consuming.B次元官网网址�
She also earned a bursary through Moms and Mentors for a practicle nursing program at Camosun. The program operates on a B次元官网网址渟hoestring budget,B次元官网网址� says Hobbs, and volutneers who help fundraise.
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 a struggle going to school and being a single parent,B次元官网网址� Kopp says. B次元官网网址淭he cost is discouraging, bu tthe bursary helped me get back on track.B次元官网网址�
For more information for either moms and those interested in becoming mentors, see www.momsandmentors.ca.
