Residents will receive support, medical care, meals
Why Not City Missions is opening a new home to help put at-risk young mothers and their infants on a path to a better life.
The New Housing Program for Young Parents aims to break the generational cycle of poverty and trauma for mothers aged 14 to 25.
“Up until now, adolescent mothers wanting to parent but needing wrap-around housing support during pregnancy and during early parenting have been directed out of town, a move most aren’t willing to make,” Susan Zuidema, executive director of Why Not City Missions, said. “That’s why we purchased a home here in the Brantford, Brant and Six Nations area for this first-of-its-kind program.”
Adolescent mothers are more likely to live in poverty, to experience greater exposure to stress, to have worse mental health and higher substance abuse problems, and are at an elevated risk for post-traumatic stress disorder, Zuidema said.
“They may experience housing instability or a critical lack of support from home and are at a higher risk of having their child apprehended,” said Zuidema. “Supportive housing for young parents can eliminate many of these risk factors, setting parent and child up for greater lifelong success.”
The home is currently undergoing renovations. Plans call for it to be open in the fall, possibly as early as the first week in September following Labor Day
Initially, the home will accommodate four mothers and their newborns. When renovations are complete, the home’s capacity will increase to seven mothers.
The mothers will receive support during pregnancy and early parenting 24 hours a day, seven days a week. They will also receive prenatal medical care, nutritious meals and prenatal vitamins.
As well, programming aims to empower the young mothers to make wise life choices, establish healthy boundaries, learn life skills and provide the academic support to help them complete high school.
“Ultimately, we want to keep young families together by providing wrap-around support from the start,” Zuidema said.
Why Not has asked that the home’s addressed not be published to protect the privacy of the mothers.
The initiative is expected to cost about $250,000 a year and the budget will be covered by fees collected from young parents, monthly financial commitments, sponsorship, grants and fund-raising events.
“We’re really grateful for the support we continue to receive from the community,” Zuidema said. “When you take a look around the home you can see the generosity of the community.
“Almost all of the furnishings have been provided by way of donations from the community.”
Established by Charlie and Susan Kopczyk, Why Not City Missions is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year. The mission operates a youth center at 368 Colborne St. and Why Not Youth Housing.
twitter.com/EXPVBall