Many teenage mothers who are trying
to get their lives together have a place to call home thanks to a
not-for-profit group. News 4's Lorey Schultz reports on the groundbreaking
of Homespace Corporation's new residence.
Being 19 and pregnant was tough enough, but for Talicia, it was
about to get worse when in her final trimester she needed to find
a place for her and her baby to live. Teen mom Talicia: "I was
scared mostly and really didn't know what to do."
Thanks to Homespace, a non for profit transitional group, Talicia,
now 20, and her month old daughter have a place to stay. Talicia: "I
don't even know where I'd be if it wasn't for this program."
Today, Homespace, which has been around for ten years broke ground
on its second group home for young mothers.
The second chance home will serve teen moms who are between 14 and
17, often ill equipped in any sense to care for a baby. Homespace
Executive Director Thelma Roberts: "It's frightening, some of
the experiences we had, which is why it's so important that they
live in an adult supervised setting."
Lorey Schultz: "In recent years, there's been a significant
decline in the teen pregnancy rate, and while that's good news officials
say there are far too many teens having babies before they're ready."
Ashley had three year old Shayla when she was 14. Only recently
did she discover Homespace, and she's glad she did. Teen mom Ashley: "I'm
a senior at Bennett Night. I graduate in January, and if it weren't
for Homespace, I probably wouldn't go back to school. They encourage
you to go back to school cause I want to be a lawyer."
Thelma: "We provide a safe secure living arrangement and the
fact they have supportive people on staff who will listen to them."
The new facility will be a dorm style living arrangement, serving
eight teenaged moms, offering them the same opportunity as Talicia
and the others who view Homespace not as a house, but a home." |
