Vivian works with pregnant teenagers

Vivian remembers what it's like to be a young mother. That's why she works with our mother/child services.

Being a good mother is one of the toughest jobs in the world, and almost impossible when you are young, homeless, and without family. Teenage mothers who come to Covenant House often have no child-raising skills or role models to guide them through the difficult task of motherhood. Yet what they lack in resources is almost always offset by an incredible sense of determination.

That is why our Mother/Child Program was created to help these homeless mothers and pregnant teenagers secure a brighter, more stable future for themselves and their babies.

Covenant House counselors motivate each mother to work hard toward achieving independence. Our counselors are available to help them create a plan for their future by lending an ear and offering advice, or sometimes being a stern voice, if circumstance calls for it.

The services we provide are extensive and go beyond the basics. In addition to job training and help with securing long-term housing, we offer workshops in parenting skills, child-bearing, single parenthood, and make sure the girls understand the importance of leading a healthy lifestyle – both for themselves and their children.

During their stay, our mothers are required to live by the rules of the program – completing their education and becoming employed. And while they work toward their goals, Covenant House caregivers either look after their babies or help them set up a schedule of shared babysitting responsibilities.

The girls must depend on one another – only mothers are allowed to look after other babies. Living with other young mothers helps them bond, learn from each other, and gain a sense of family they have probably never experienced before.

With the support of our caring staff and their Covenant House peers, our young mothers move on from the program equipped with a plan and the skills they need to care for themselves and their kids – a remarkable accomplishment for once-homeless teenage mothers who might not have otherwise made it through.

Vivian arrived at Covenant House needing help, and ended up a vital part of the very mentoring program that helped her turn her life around. Read about how Vivian reaches pregnant teenagers through the Mother/Child Program.