"Our idea is that parenting needs to be the catalyst for success rather than thinking it has to be doom and gloom," Annalise Myers Teen Parent Centre Development Manager.
The Teen Parents Project was established in 2002. Its vision is to carry out innovative participatory work with and for teen parents. Approximately 600 young parents a year take part in the AWC Teen Parent Project. For information about our teen parent specific programmes click here.
In 2008, the Auckland Women’s Centre (AWC) identified the need and potential to move the Teen Parent Project beyond the AWC to its own Centre. While Annalise Myers AWC Teen Parent Centre Development Manager, and Community Researcher Heather Keats are overseeing the transition to a new Centre, the leadership for the project comes from the young parents themselves, with 26 young parent researchers involved in ensuring the new Centre is responsive to the needs of teen parents.
Teen Parent Centre Development manager Annalise Myers said the centre is envisioned to provide “antenatal courses, support groups for young mums, mentoring for young dads and courses to build the parents' educational and life skills’” Plans include a computer suite and a big kitchen to learn cooking.
Any individuals or funders who are interested in supporting this initiative, please contact Annalise Myers at the AWC on youngparent@womenz.org.nz .
Young Parents Resource Book
We have written a book called Are You a Young Parent or about to be One? This comprehensive resource launched in May 2004 was received with overwhelmingly positive support from the community. The book is designed with new young mothers and mothers-to-be in mind, with a holistic approach throughout. It covers both the personal and practical issues that parenting can bring to the lives of young women such as pregnancy options, disclosure, maternity care, parenting skills, violence prevention, education options, and legal and financial information. The resource is comprised of a large, colourful information booklet and a directory that lists support agencies.
Over 3,000 copies have been distributed through agencies such as CYFS, Plunket, schools and doctors, to ensure that it reaches as many young parents as possible. The book was updated and re-issued in October 2005.
Unfortunately we have recently run out of copies of this resource. We are currently updating the book and will then reprint it. The updated version will be available in mid-2010. You can use the online version atwww.youngparent.org.nz.
Young Parents Project
The Young Parents Project was established with the endorsement of the Inter-Agency Working Group on Teen Parents, convened under the Strengthening Families Auckland strategy. As well as running programmes, the Young Parents Project has produced the Young Parents Resource Book Are You A Young Parent or About To Be One?’ Fundamental to the entire project is the belief that young women need high quality, empowerment focused information if they are to increase the likelihood of positive outcomes for themselves, and their family/whanau. Our project is making a significant contribution to the welfare and support resources available to young mothers and their families in Auckland. Annalise Myers (Teen Parent Centre Development Manager) featured on Campbell Live on 18 February 2009 in a segment called - The trials and tribulations of teen parenting. To view the full interview in which Annalise speaks in the second half click here.
Wanna know more about what young people think about teen pregnancy?
Check out this episode of in beTWEEN (28 June 2009) featuring our very own Annalise Myers talking about her own experiences as a teen mum and her work with teen parents at the Auckland Women’s Centre. Click on the link below to view the episode.
http://tvnz.co.nz/in-between/s2-e7-video-2808546
Are You About to Become a Teen Parent?
These free Antenatal Programmes are designed especially for you. Evening and/or Daytime sessions, Programmes starting throughout the year. Transport and refreshments provided. This is a great opportunity to meet other young pregnant women, expectant dads and their families. Whanau Welcome or come on your own. Call or text Sally on 021 0299 1044 for more information.
Click here to view the Teen Antenatal Programme flyer
Young Mothers Support Programme
This programme offers young mothers the opportunity to participate in a ‘youth development’ programme that takes account of their age, their parenting role and their gender. The programme design utilises a risk minimisation and resiliency-building model promoted by the Youth Development Strategy Aotearoa (Ministry of Youth Development). Sessions within the programme focus on the development of self-esteem and interpersonal skills, building parenting skills and strategies and providing relevant information on the legal, financial, health, and education aspects of being a teenage mother. Additionally, the programme integrates a domestic violence and child abuse prevention element.
Each participant has the opportunity to receive support from the Centre between sessions. Approximately 10 young mothers meet for two hours once a week, over eight weeks. Guest speakers from various Government, community and private organisations are invited to provide information in specific areas. Problem solving and planning, within a context of abundant resources, provides participants with a unique opportunity to see themselves as capable and supported.
Taxis, petrol vouchers or reimbursement of public transport costs enables transportation to and from the Centre. Childcare facilities are provided at premises near the Centre during the support group so that young mothers without access to childcare are able to attend. The young mothers are encouraged to see this as an opportunity to make friends and develop an ongoing support network. For more information please ask for Heather.
Young Mothers Parenting Positively
We recently completed our second positive parenting project, partnering with SKIP to encourage positive parenting amongst teen mothers.
Utilising a peer support training programme we trained thirteen young mothers to be SKIP Positive Parenting Champions to support other young mothers’ parenting. We worked in partnership with Grey Lynn Library, Auckland Botanical Gardens, Tamaki Play Centre Association, Mai FM, the agencies who referred peer support mums and the young mothers themselves to provide events at the library, the botanical gardens and the Glen Inness Playcentre.
These very successful events encouraged young mothers to explore the resources available in their local and wider Auckland community, that can support a parenting positively approach to mothering. For more information please email Gaby at skip@womenz.org.nz
Self-Defence and Personal Safety for Teenagers and Girls
Our former Young Women’s Advocate, Anna Witten-Sage, is a trained self-defence teacher of intermediate and secondary school aged girls. Anna can provide age-appropriate workshops equipping girls and young women with skills for keeping themselves safe. This includes discussions about controlling fear and embarrassment, awareness of safety issues (including technology safety), making good decisions, and self esteem and verbal assertiveness.
Participants also learn a range of physical self-defence techniques: punching, kicking, blocking and escaping holds and grabs.
For more information, or to arrange a workshop, please contact Ellie on 376 3227 or email programmes@womenz.org.nz
