The Teen Moms Program is ready to begin in September! We have an exciting schedule of Discovery Workshops lined up for the 2011-2012 year! See the schedule below and follow us throughout the year! All Discovery Workshops are held at Newman University, Lower Level, Room 2 from 5:00-7:00 p.m. unless otherwise noted.

I am happy to announce that Natalie Stella will be volunteering as the Special Project Coordinator for our Bundles for Babies Diaper Drive! Natalie is a recent graduate of the Teen Moms Program. She was in the program for several years and was able to complete her education to become a Registered Nurse during that time.

The Bundles for Babies project was started in 2009 by Lisa Lutey who was attending school at Fort Hays University. She was required to plan and complete a project for one of her classes and decided to create the Bundles for Babies Diaper Drive for the Teen Moms Program. The drive was very successful resulting in over 100 packs of diapers as well as wipes and other items along with some cash donations. Many businesses and churches in Dodge City and Jetmore were involved in this huge undertaking. Because it was so successful, we have decided to make this an annual event! Diapers are the most requested item from our Teen Moms store and the most difficult item to keep in stock.

Natalie will be scheduing times and locations for the diaper drive and will need volunteers to help her! If you are interested in learning more about this important project or if you would like to donate to this project, contact Amy Falcon at 620-227-1590 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

After a long holiday weekend, it's back to work...and planning for the upcoming year of the Teen Moms Program! I hope to have the new schedule done very soon, so check back often as I will post it as soon as it's complete!

As I look back over the holiday weekend, I am reminded how important relationships are. A lot of people in Dodge City were upset about the fireworks ban due to the drought. Now, I admit, I am not a fan of popping fireworks, but I do enjoy the big production our city puts on. The thing I noticed this year however, is that we were better able to be in "relationship" with each other because instead of running around shooting off fireworks, we were sitting around, eating a great meal and TALKING to each other! There was no rush to get the meal over with or to get our fireworks used up before the big show...we were just able to linger and "be" with each other.

This reminds me, a lot, of the support piece of the Teen Moms Program. Everyone in the group forms a close connection and it is amazing to watch! These girls and mentors really connect with each other over the years, no matter their economic status, race or religion. They are there not only to learn, but to support each other in becoming the kind of person they each want to become. This, to me, is what "relationship" is all about. Not just our own biological families, but also those "other" families we consider ourselves a part of.

So, when you think about the people in your life, ask yourself, "who do I have a true relationship with?"

Whew, I can't believe it is almost July! I have been busy this summer planning for the upcoming year of the Teen Moms Program. I am excited about this year because there will be lots of new things happening! New students in the program, new mentors and even new Discovery Workshops! We haven't had openings for students for quite some time so I am excited to be able to offer this awesome program to even more young girls this year! I will also be training the new mentors in August so they will be ready to go when we start in September. Maria is ready to start getting all of our meals set up! So, if you are interested in enrolling in the program as a student, a mentor, a meal provider or a Discovery Workshop teacher, please let us know! We would love to have you! You can contact me This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or by calling 620-227-1590. I look forward to working with you!