Young Mothers Take Charge Inc.
Young Mothers Take Charge Inc. is a non-profit intergenerational program that combines both young and experienced mothers together; to provide support, encouragement and resources to at risk young mothers under the age of twenty-five in Cuyahoga County. We empower young mothers so they can move forward to become productive citizens and parents in today’s society.
About You
About You
First Name
Victoria
Last Name
Thomas
Website
Organization
Young Mothers Take Charge Inc.
Country
United States, OH, Cuyahoga County
About Your Organization
Organization Name
Young Mothers Take Charge Inc.
Organization Website
Organization Phone
1-216-650-8979
Organization Address
Warrensville Heights Library
Organization Country
United States, OH
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Your idea
Name Your Project
Young Mothers Take Charge Inc.
Country your work focuses on
United States, OH
Describe Your Idea
Young Mothers Take Charge Inc. is a non-profit intergenerational program that combines both young and experienced mothers together; to provide support, encouragement and resources to at risk young mothers under the age of twenty-five in Cuyahoga County. We empower young mothers so they can move forward to become productive citizens and parents in today’s society.
Innovation
What makes your idea unique?
Upon my research, I discovered that most teen parent organizations either only target young families who live in the inner city of Cleveland or the program benefits stop at an age where young mothers still need assistance. Existing programs that are also unlike YMTC, focus on families in general and teen parenting are only a sub division of their services. YMTC Inc. central focus is serving young mothers and their children. We provide the young families with a comfortable and non-judgment environment, so they can feel more open to receive supportive assistance. YMTC Inc. program is geared toward helping young families to use the government resources in a positive and productive way, so they can provide a stable life for themselves and their children. YMTC Inc. recognizes that government assistance should not be used in place of an education or a career; its main purpose should be to assist families through periods of transition or economic hardship. Compared to other existing services YMTC Inc. works with the libraries, high schools, and local communities to reach out to young mothers so they can take full advantage of all the services that are available to them within the Cuyahoga County area.
YMTC Inc. helps improve quality of life in all dynamics of a young mother's family. We have the Young Mothers who need guidance and support. We have the children of the young mothers, who need nurturing and self sufficient parents, so they can grow up to be productive adults in society. We also have the Experience Mothers who may not had the help or support when they were young, but YMTC Inc. gives them the opportunity to give back to the community and be a role model for these young mothers.
Do you have a patent for this idea?
No
Impact
This Entry is about (Issues)
What impact have you had?
Testiomony from one of our young mothers: Margret Jones
My name is Margaret Jones, and I am 21 years old. I remember when Ms. Victoria first invited me to attend a Young Mothers Take Charge meeting. I was at the Library trying to complete my homework and calm my two year old at the same time. I was really thrilled to be invited because I am always looking for an opportunity to better the lives of my son and myself. I am now a very enthusiastic member of Y.M.T.C. mainly because Ms. Victoria is so passionate about the success of all of the young moms in our group. She goes out of her way to teach me the importance of continuing my education and reading to my child. Y.M.T.C. has given me the chance to be mentored by our senior moms, attend workshops on personal finance and even a workshop on educational toys. Ms. Victoria even offers her own emotional support for any situation. Y.M.T.C. is a very beneficial group that is helping me to pursue my goal of becoming a Mathematics professor and bakery owner. I am constantly inviting new young and senior moms to join our family. I am very grateful and delighted to be a member of Young Mothers Take Charge.
Problem
In 2006 saw the first rise in the U.S. teen pregnancy rate in 15 years. About 1 in 3 women become pregnant at least once before they're 20. It also affects their kids - girls born to teen mothers are more likely to be teen mothers themselves. Boys born to teen moms are more likely to end up in prison. Only a third of teen mothers earn their high school diploma. And only 1.5% has a college degree by age 30. (http://www.dosomething.org/). This program is necessary because of the lack of education and accountability in their household. It is very essential for the young moms to be able to take full charge of their lives, in order to live a complete and productive life themselves and their children. I want our young moms to know that life does not have to stand still because of their circumstances; they the have the power and the strength to move forward.
Actions
Established a Board
Recruitment of YMTC Members
YMTC Inc. Programs and Meetings since October 2009
Created a replicateModel of YM Club at the Library
Networking
Partnerships
Field Trips
YMTC Inc. Open House
Outreach to the Community
YMTC Inc. is affiliated with the Cuyahoga County Public Library; the staff from branch level to administration are all supportive of my vision of "Young Mothers Take Charge". YMTC Inc. has partnered with local National City PNC emery local branch to implement a Young Mother's on a Budget Series (Financial Literacy). We also partnered with the GRADS programs through out Cuyahoga County High School District. Through our partnership with Cuyahoga County Public Library; Ohio State University Extension Program will be providing services to our young moms with nutrition classes and parenting workshops. I am apart of both Daily Dose of Reading Advisory Board and GRADS Advisory Board.
Results
Young Mothers who participate in YMTC Inc. Programs will:
Practice preventive measures for recurrence of pregnancies and STD's through resources and services in the community.
Have graduated from high school and receive encouragement to continue their education.
Receive resources for additional help with job searches, resume building, and interviewing skills.
Will know the importance of early literacy with their children.
Learn the basic fundamentals of money management.
Receive valuable resources that will help them move forward in their life.
Love and respect themselves and others.
Have taken full responsibility of all aspects in their lives.
How will we know when we have reached our goals and objectives ?
Testimonies, Surveys, and Evaluations of Outcome Measures
What will it take for your project to be successful over the next three years? Please address each year separately, if possible.
YMTC Inc. future plans are to continue to serve young mothers in a library setting, and eventually branch out to other library systems though out Cuyahoga County. YMTC Inc. also plans to create a non-judgmental environment for young families. This parenting resource center will be in operation with in the next two years. We will first begin with YMTC Inc. child care center and expand as our organization grows.
YMTC Inc. Centers of Life:
Creative Learning Center for Young Children
Child care services to any of the YMTC Inc. members (non-members additional fees apply).
The creative learning center will be an art based curriculum from birth to 5 years old.
Referral Service
Young Mothers receive resources through contact information, brochures, and mentoring support
Young mothers study room (computer lab)
Parenting classes, workshops, forums, and a mini library that specialize in parenting education, and health related issues.
Family Center
Birthday parties and Baby showers
Food bank, clothes drive, and toy resale event
Special events at the recreation center; such as, fundraisers, award ceremonies, and luncheons.
GOALS/Objectives
The Four E’s of Empowerment= Embrace, Enlighten, Encourage, and Educate
Embrace and support young mothers and their children with open minds and loving hearts.
Enlighten young mothers about early literacy and reconnecting to reading.
Encourage young mothers to move forward with their education and career goals.
Educate young mothers about health issues and financial literacy.
We will achieve these standards through support from Experienced Mothers (Senior Mothers), Surrounding Communities, and collaborations between libraries and high schools.
What would prevent your project from being a success?
The biggest challenge that I had to overcome is balancing my full time library job and my passion of helping young families move forward. I am very focused and dedicated to this project, and I look forward to the day when I can work on Young Mothers Take Charge full-time. I know that one day in my heart, that I will have to make a choice to leave my livelyhood to pursue my dreams.
How many people will your project serve annually?
101‐1000
What is the average monthly household income in your target community, in US Dollars?
$100 ‐ 1000
Does your project seek to have an impact on public policy?
Yes
Sustainability
What stage is your project in?
Operating for less than a year
Is your organization a
Non‐profit/NGO/citizen sector organization
Is your initiative connected to an established organization?
Yes
If yes, provide organization name.
Cuyahoga County Public Library
How long has this organization been operating?
More than 5 years
Does your organization have a Board of Directors or an Advisory Board?
Yes
Does your organization have a non-monetary partnerships with NGOs?
Does your organization have a non-monetary partnerships with businesses?
Yes
Does your organization have a non-monetary partnerships with government?
Yes
Please tell us more about how these partnerships are critical to the success of your innovation.
YMTC Inc. wants to provide the best resources for our young families. Our Referral Service is a bridge between proverty and independence. Over the past year we have been reaching out to the community to assist our young mothers in areas in which they need guidance to help them move forward in their lives. Our referral partnerships are the keys to getting the young mothers the services they need to become productive citizens and parents in today's society. Remember the saying "It takes a village to raise a child". That's what this servcie provide, the tools to help our young families on their journey of success- we are the village.
What are the three most important actions needed to grow your initiative or organization?
- 501(c) 3 Tax Exemption
- Funding
- Community Support
The Story
What was the defining moment that you led to this innovation?
One day at the Warrensville Heights Library last spring, a young mom approached me, and she asked me to purchase some diapers for her baby. This young mom has been attending my Baby and Me Story Time for months. I was thinking to myself, it took a lot of courage for her to ask me to help her in that way. I guess you are wondering; did I buy those diapers for that young mom? If you guessed yes, you were right. I bought the diaper for her, but I also had to research on other resources that can give her additional support. A few days later, a light bulb struck me, and once being a young mother myself, I thought it would be a great idea to create a website for the young mothers, so it would be easier for me and the moms to find resources and support. A few weeks later, my passion started to blossom. I thought to myself, why stop at the website? So, I went a step further, and started a young moms group, right at the library. With great support and hard work, my vision had become reality. Our young mothers group has had regular meetings, since October of 2009. We get an average of 15 moms who comes to our meetings on a regular basis.
Tell us about the social innovator behind this idea.
Since I've been working in libraires for the past six years, it was an easy transition for me to combined both my experiences with libraries and the experiences of being a young mom myself. The library has a lot of free resources that many of our young families are not aware of. One of YMTC Inc. missons is to spread the word about all the resources that the libray offers and other resources that are availible in the community.
The inter-generational component is designed to bring in all stages of motherhood to provided support for our young mothers. We are also working on having the retired senior volunteers to help with the children during our meetings.
How did you first hear about Changemakers?
Through another organization or company
If through another, please provide the name of the organization or company
Generation Hope
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 | 144 weeks ago Victoria Thomas updated this Competition Entry. |
| 144 weeks ago Victoria Thomas submitted this idea. |
