Needed: A Few Teen Mom Mentors

If you believe statistics, the odds are stacked against teen mom success. They are less likely to finish high school, let alone college. They are more likely to depend on welfare assistance. Their children are less likely to succeed. And their daughters are more likely to become teen moms, too. The Catholic Social Service Teen Moms program works to change these odds.

The Teen Moms program is for women between the ages of 13 and 23 who have chosen to parent their child, but who have not yet obtained their high school diploma, or who are transitioning from high school to full time employment, college course work, or technical/certificate programs. In return for their efforts to postpone subsequent pregnancies and be engaged full-time in school and/or employment, the women in the program receive support from one-on-one visits, Discovery workshops, Mentors, and referrals as appropriate.

Mentors are a vital part of the Teen Mom program. A mentor is a woman who makes a one-year commitment (approx. 10 hours a month) to befriend one of the young women in the program, and to help her be successful in meeting her goals. Mentors help teen moms to overcome the odds; it's an opportunity to really make a difference in a young mother's life.

Could you mentor a teen mom? Would you? If you, or someone you know, is interested in being a Teen Mom Mentor, please contact Amy Falcon ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ) or Maria Gutierrez ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ) by email or by phone at 620-227-1562, or 1-800-222-9383.