Teen Parent Connection

Giving birth at a young age has been documented as a risk factor for low birth-weight, prematurity, and infant and maternal mortality. According to a 2006 report by the N.C. Center for Health Statistics, 18% of all deliveries by teens ages 12 to 19 in Wake County were pre-term, and 11% were low birth-weight.

That’s why we’ve established our region’s first collaborative approach to providing comprehensive, community-based support services for pregnant and parenting teens. The program focuses greatly needed resources on reducing disparities in birth outcomes, enhancing parent-child interactions and relationships, and improving educational outcomes for teen parents.

Volunteers are needed to help these young women develop a healthy self-esteem. Areas of support include: case management, mentoring, prenatal and childbirth education, birthing doulas, child development and parenting education. Teen Parent Connection is made possible with support from the John Rex Endowment.

The YWCA is a safe place for kids after school, a fun place for summer camp, and much, much more. We are also a supportive place for women in transition, an enriching place for seniors, a hopeful place for medically at risk women, and an open place for courageous action that confronts racism. Our programs have benefited women and their families throughout our community - in profound and life-changing ways - everyday since 1923.