YWCA of Bristol

Moms R Us- Teen Pregnancy Program

Women’s Economic Empowerment

The YWCA Moms R Us program is a Youth Development Program serving pregnant and parenting teens in the community, who are 19 years or younger, through prepared childbirth, parenting classes, continuing support group, and follow-up for at least 2 years. The YWCA provides support in the resources necessary to help young women return to school or obtain a job to further career options. The program is ongoing and serves until the client no longer needs services.

This program does intend to have a direct impact in the economic development and advancement of the young women it serves. Moms R Us is free of charge. All participants who continue their education or maintain a job receive top priority for the YW Children’s Center which is the only sliding scale fee childcare in Bristol. The YWCA provides transportation to and from classes. Labor and Delivery participants receive newborn/baby items and a healthy “snack pack” to take home as incentive for coming to class and if they come to all classes the YWCA provides a car seat at graduation. Food is served at all classes. Parenting participants receive 5 “points” for each class (12 classes) and at graduation may “cash in “their 60 “points” (equivalent to $60.00) at the “Teen Store” for baby clothing and items, home items, and personal items. Some items are brand new and priced what they would be if you bought it at the store and other items are donated and priced at reduced rates. Parenting and Continuing Support Group classes offer courses on budgeting, job readiness and preparing for employment, healthy and unhealthy relationships and child development. All participants may use the Computer Technology Lab at any time and may take any computer class free of charge.

This program is meaningful and mission focused to train young mothers how to parent and continue working on their own future by utilizing the resources the community has to offer them. Moms R Us collaborates with Abuse Alternatives, Bristol Family Resource Center, Bristol TN/ VA school counselors, Children’s Advocacy Center, Crisis Center, Junior League of Bristol, La Leche League, Sullivan County Health Department, United Way, and Wellmont. Program goals include: reduce infant mortality, increase family bonds, reduce child abuse, increase awareness of child development, to provide information and referral services, and to decrease the teen drop out or unemployment rate by teaching career development skills.

Moms R Us evaluates on an ongoing basis with pre and post tests in class, class evaluations at the completion of Labor and Delivery and parenting classes, and questionnaires to determine workforce development needs. Programs are assessed based on the number of participants each year, the evaluations completed by the participants and continuing participation in the program. Moms R Us has been a successful program and resource for 10 years serving between 30-40 young women a year.

The Moms R Us program’s primary goal has always been to encourage the participants to continue their education or maintain a job. It was developed for that purpose and now has expanded over the 10 years of service to include a job readiness program as a part of the follow up support.  The Job Readiness Program is the newest phase to Moms-R-Us and has all the necessary resources to educate young women in much needed technology skills and the knowledge of how to obtain and maintain a job. A job readiness program questionnaire is given during the Parenting classes and all participants that express a need in this area are put into the program and take the classes free of charge. Participants evaluate the program for continuing expansion if needed and are provided the continued support system for at least 2 years or as long as the client needs it. All attendance and evaluations are recorded to measure the results of the program.