Why We Exist

A SOBERING REALITY

• In Franklin County, approximately 1,790 girls aged 13-19 gave birth in 2005.
• One in four teen mothers will become pregnant again within 24 months of giving birth to their first child.
• 60% of girls who become teen mothers already live in poverty when they give birth.
• Only 30% of teen mothers will graduate from high school.

HELP FOR A TEEN

We recognize that even with the best efforts and guidance around pregnancy prevention, some teens will still become pregnant, decide to give birth and try to raise their children. We are focused on the harsh reality of children having children. As a powerful voice and advocate for teen parents, The Center for Healthy Families seeks to change the way our community responds to teen parents

HELP FROM THE COMMUNITY

The negative outcomes of teen pregnancy and parenting are preventable when caring adults and communities provide sustained support in every aspect of a young person’s life. Without the assistance of a committed community, the human and financial costs of teen pregnancy are plainly staggering, rippling out to affect not only teens and their children, but also health, educational, social service, and justice systems in our community as well.

HOPE FOR THE FUTURE

The overwhelming cost of teen parenting is borne by the children, many of whom are likely to be born prematurely, have low birth weight, grow up poor, live in single-parent households, experience abuse and neglect, perform poorly in school, and drop out of school. There is almost no single causative factor more closely linked to child poverty than being the child of an unmarried teen mother.