TEEN MOMS & MORE

This project helps teenaged 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. We are a small, "grassroots" organization receiving grants and goods from a variety of individuals and agencies.

Background/History:
The Teen Moms Project in Seattle, WA started as a result of Melinda Wallis becoming aware of the teenage girls who attended the local alternative high school. She felt empathetic toward a teenager who got off the public bus at the stop by the school - struggling with her baby, stroller, baby bag and backpack.

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 local Subud group joined Melinda in providing gifts for the Teen Moms (sometimes there are dads, also) to let them know someone cares. Most of these moms are single and living on their own.

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 their 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.

Project's Humanitarian Reach:
The two Teen Moms programs reach around 50-60 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 programs "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.

Contact Information:
Melinda Wallis
14019 NE 8th St., Suite A
Bellevue, WA 90887
Email: subudusa@subudusa.org