TEEN MOMS AND MORE

SEATTLE, WASHINGTON AND LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA USA

This project helps teenage mothers and disaster victims become aware they are part of a community that cares. It is an example of "simple sharing" by individuals who make an effort to help. Teen Moms helps these young parents to continue their education, provides school supplies to mothers and their children, and strives to teach positive parenting skills. It is a small, grassroots organization receiving grants and goods from a variety of individuals and agencies, including Susila Dharma USA.

Background/History: Seattle
The Teen Moms Project in Seattle, WA started as a result of Melinda Wallis, a key volunteer leader, becoming aware of the plight of teenage mothers attending a local alternative high school. In particular, Melinda felt empathetic toward a teenager that she often saw getting off the public bus at the stop by the school - struggling with her baby, stroller, baby bag, and back pack. The high school has a child care center, which allows the teen parents to have their babies and toddlers at school while the teen continues attending classes. Several other parents and members of the Seattle Subud group joined Melinda in providing gifts for the Teen Moms (sometimes there are dads, too) to let them know someone cares. Most of these moms are single and living on their own.

Background/History: Los Angeles
The program has grown slowly and steadily, and in 2000, another Teen Moms program started in Los Angeles, CA, where Soraya Newell is assisted by other Subud members in serving a larger population of teen parents. Teen Moms added "and More" to its title and activities as Melinda became involved with the Seattle homeless population, and as the Seattle and Los Angeles programs raised funds to provide support to Hurricane Katrina victims - especially elementary school children displaced from their homes.

Humanitarian Reach:
The two Teen Moms programs reach around 60 young mothers and their children each year, providing much-needed baby equipment, clothes, supplies and a yearly holiday party and presents. In 2005 - 2006, the program "adopted" an elementary school in Louisiana, and supplied children displaced by Hurricane Katrina with school materials, and sent funds for the school and books for the school library.