NEWPORT BEACH, CA – August 27, 2013
A Free Service for Children Who Need It Most: Children of Teen Mothers.
Fristers, a nonprofit organization that assists teen moms to become self-sufficient through education, support, and community referrals (www.fristers.org), has added a new school-readiness program for the children of teen moms. The Kidsters Childcare and School-Readiness Program is offered simultaneously with the LifeCoach program for teen moms, and are available to all moms enrolled in LifeCoach. Teen mothers rarely, if ever, put their children into preschool because they do not have the funds. However, studies show that there are great benefits to preschool, which extend far beyond kindergarten. Children who attend preschool are less likely to require special education, more inclined to graduate from high school and, as adults, enjoy higher earnings. Kids who attend preschool gain a sense of who they are, increase self-control, and build confidence in their ability to complete accomplishments for themselves.
Today’s kindergarten curriculum is focused on academics from day one. Without preschool, many children struggle to adapt to the classroom while those who attended preschool are generally ready to learn. “We have a crucial window of opportunity to directly invest in the lives of these children while their mothers entrust them to us during the LifeCoach program,” according to Ali Woodard, Executive Director of Fristers. “The Kidsters Program will ensure that their time with us is quality time that gives a healthy launch into life and education.”
Fristers helps young moms learn how to first love and respect themselves while also learning how to show compassion and take care of their children. The program provides a full array of classes on topics from self-esteem to parenting, and helps teen moms set and achieve goals that will improve their lives as well as their child’s. Some examples are finishing high-school, enrolling in vocational training school and getting a job. Offering these services led to the Kidsters program because most teen mothers have no money for a baby-sitter and often have little parental support due to the high rate of abandonment. Kidsters offers a safe childcare option so that they can fully devote themselves to learning and growing during the Life Coach program. It has academic lessons, activities, games, and crafts that promote growth for each child socially, emotionally, cognitively, and physically.
About Fristers
Fristers was formed in 2008 to provide education, access to resources, role models, and support to teen mothers, within a unique program that takes into consideration their age and maturity level as teenagers. Fristers assists with transportation to and from program meetings and provides dinners for mothers and children. More than 600 young mothers and children are served annually through Fristers. All programs and services are free of charge and provided to the community regardless of religion, race, or ethnicity.
In 2010, Orange County had 2,479 teen births within that year alone, ranking Orange County #5 in highest number of total teen births of all California counties.
For more information about this program contact Ali Woodard at 949-675-3935 or visit the website at www.fristers.org.