February Feature: Teen Pregnancy Support Group Offered through Hope Alive

At the Agency Luncheon hosted by Inasmuch Ministry of Broadway Christian Church in Fort Wayne on February 25, Jennifer Smith shared about a new Teen Parent Support Group being offered this spring through Hope Alive, Inc. where she works under executive director Betty Kahlenbeck.

Jennifer Smith is a senior at IPFW and has initiated a support group for pregnant teen girls, fathers-to-be, and teen parents with children up to three years old through Hope Alive. The group is slated to last until the end of the semester in May, but Smith’s hope is to find an organization in the city that will keep this program going permanently.

Smith, from Lagrange County, is passionate about group support for teenage parents and parents-to-be in the region. “There are many resources available for pregnant teens and unwed mothers—places to get supplies, knowledge and aid—but not a whole lot of resources just to go and talk,” Smith explained. Smith has felt greatly encouraged by others that such support is needed in the region. Other agency representatives at the luncheon shared their surprise that such support is not already more widely available, but Smith was not aware of any such groups.

Smith continued to say that parents, feeling overwhelmed, afraid, or embarrassed, put their pregnant girls out of the house when they find out they are pregnant. Smith states that embarrassment is an unfortunate reality that is more common when the situation arises within the upper class and among well-known families.

Smith shared that when these pregnant girls are kicked out, they really don’t know what to do and are often afraid to ask – thinking their questions are “dumb” and being embarrassed for feeling they know so little. Smith hopes to create an environment where new and expecting parents (with separate groups for parents of 3-, 2-, 1-year-olds, and for those expecting) can find acceptance and encouragement as they experience these quick-changing stages together.

Through Hope Alive, Smith has been distributing many flyers and letters to promote the new support group.  If you or someone you know is interested in such a support group or in helping Jennifer continue her work after May, please contact Hope Alive.

Hope Alive is located at 1747 N Wells St., Fort Wayne, IN 46808-3235.
Phone:(260) 420-6100.

Healthier Moms and Babies Retains Second Social Worker, Can Take More Clients

We were happy to see Laura Pflueger of Healthier Moms and Babies at the January agency meeting: This was her first week back to work! They are retaining the social worker who was filling in for Laura’s maternity leave..so now they have two nurses and two social workers, and can take more clients. Remember that enrolling moms earlier in their pregnancies is better.  You can direct expectant mothers to their website for more information.

Openings for Expecting Mothers

Healthier Moms and Babies still has a few client openings for pregnant, lower income women.

Healthier Moms and Babies

Provided us with their new brochure which outlines the services they provide to pregnant women in Allen County who are less than 30 weeks pregnant. Once the expectant mother becomes a client, this organization follows her progress until the baby’s first birthday. In-home case management is provided by either a nurse or a social worker, whichever is more appropriate. They target high-risk pregnancies and/or low-income households, and provide: education, resources, and training for prenatal nutrition, education regarding breast- and bottle-feeding and general care of a newborn. Well-baby check-ups and immunization appointments are arranged. The program follows mother and child until the baby’s first birthday. They currently have one Spanish speaker who works with the hispanic community.