If you are a young woman and are pregnant or already parenting a baby, you could benefit from additional adult support. Young people are often faced with difficult situations. Being a parent adds to the complexity of daily living.

Often a pregnant woman, regardless of her background, may feel abandoned and ostracized. Links' trained volunteer mentors provide individual support and encouragement for pregnant and parenting adolescents. This helps to ensure that they and their babies will be on a stronger footing to succeed in our world.

The Young Parent Mentor Program teams up young moms with accepting advisors that will help them through their pregnancy and after the birth of their babies. Opportunities are also provided to meet and get together with other adolescent moms and their children. Sharing experiences and concerns with others is an important part of peer support, especially at a time when other friends may not be interested in hearing about a baby’s joys and challenges.

How can the mentor help?

Typical Issues addressed include:
Child Development
Parenting Skills
Future Goals
Relationship Issues (with family, father of the baby, and friends)
Sexuality and Health Issues
Nutrition for Mom and Baby
Budgeting and Finances
Any Other Issues a Young Mom Might Encounter

Assistance is offered in the following:
Locating good health care
Understanding relationships (with family, father of the baby, and friends)
Learning about labor and delivery
Exercise and nutrition
Participating in individualized Lamaze instruction
Newborn care
Breast or bottle feeding
Contraception
Returning to school or work

Who may enter the program?

The Young Parent Mentor Program is available for any young woman, from the age of 13 to 22, who is pregnant or parenting her baby.

How to enter?

Interested persons may call the Young Parent Mentor Program Coordinator at 847.441.6191 ext 4. An intake interview and additional information about the mentor program are given over the phone. Shortly thereafter, an introduction to a mentor will be scheduled.

Who are the mentors?

The mentors are volunteers from Links-North Shore Youth Health Service, who have completed extensive training for this very special program. They are prepared to offer support and friendship to a young woman during her pregnancy and after the birth of her baby.

Volunteer education has been provided on a wide range of topics including adolescent development and sexuality, prenatal care, labor and delivery, infant development, and interviewing and counseling skills.

Each mentor participates in group and individual supervision and consults with the Links' coordinator and social worker on an ongoing basis.

There is no charge for the Young Parent Mentor Program.