Because Homespace is not a foster home, it could not help these young mothers. As such, it decided to establish a mother baby foster care residence that would provide teenage single mothers the help, guidance and support offered at Homespace.

Second Chance Home serves eight pregnant or parenting teens, ranging in age from 14 – 17 years, who are wards of New York State or Erie County, and their children. Many of our applicants have a history of living in emergency shelters, substandard and over crowded housing or lack of any permanent address. They have lived in environments that are highly dangerous to themselves and their children and are most often in abusive relationships.

A review of the histories of these teen parents reveals that 85% of these youth have experienced various forms of abuse by the age of eight. This abuse includes, but is not limited to, domestic violence, sexual abuse, child neglect/abuse and alcohol/substance abuse. Some bear physical scars, while others bear emotional scars. It is this continuous cycle of abuse that causes them to withdraw and live in a state of conflict with themselves, family members and those sent to help. The sense of belonging, self determination, power and responsibility is nonexistent in the lives of these youth. Further exploration of the family history reveals that the cycle of abuse did not begin with this generation, but can be traced back for several generations. It is this learned behavior of dysfunction that contributes to their lack of success.

Furthermore, most have little or no support systems they can turn to for help. A common denominator among this population is that seventy five percent (75%) come from dysfunctional families. Because of poverty, lack of interest in education, lack of family support, and learned dysfunctional behavior patterns, these young families are ill equipped to overcome the social and economic challenges they face. Without needed support and counseling services, these families have little hope of rising above their present social milieu.

Second Chance Home is designed to provide the support and services needed to change the lives of these young parents and their children in positive ways. Second Chance Home offers a rare opportunity to bring together in one setting the three fundamental elements teen mothers need if they are to have a chance to succeed: nurturing and support, structure and discipline, and socialization.

By providing a positive family environment, these young parents will have the opportunity to complete their education and become good parents. Because staff members and volunteers provide nurturing and support, teen mothers are better able to establish emotional and familial bonds with their child(ren) as they have role models apart from their own troubled families.

While residing at Second Chance Home, each family becomes engaged in an individual service plan, implemented by a Program Manager, Case Manager and Child Care Supervisor, to develop goals that will:

	increase skills necessary for independent living;
	allow for completion of their high school education;
	improve parenting skills;
	teach household management skills through assigned chores and life skills education;
	develop job readiness skills and summer employment;
	promote positive character development and integrity;
	promote involvement in positive leisure time activity;
	promote reunification with the biological family; and
	promote a timely discharge plan in accordance with the permanency plan.

Before residents are discharged from Second Chance Home, permanency planning is implemented through the Erie County Department of Social Services Permanency Planning Case Worker, New York State’s Office of Child and Family Services Case Worker, Second Chance Home Staff, additional service providers, as needed, and the teen’s parent(s). In accordance with the Adoption and Safe Families Act, Homespace’s Second Chance Home will work toward the individual youth’s goals of family reunification, long-term placement and/or adoption in conjunction with the local foster care support agency and compliance with all Family Court reviews and recommendations of each individual’s case.

In sum, Second Chance Home endeavors to provide young single mothers with the skills and tools needed to pursue what is best for themselves and their children and to assist them in becoming productive adults.