NORTH CAROLINA
Children's home opens facility for pregnant teenagers
The crowd was eclectic, but a joyous mood was shared by all for the official opening of My Aunt's House on June 25. A residential facility for homeless, pregnant teenagers, My Aunt's House is part of the Children's Home campus on Reynolda Road.
George Bryan, president and chief executive officer for the Children's Home, welcomed guests with a touching story about one teenage mother who lived in a temporary home for pregnant teens on campus while the permanent home was under construction. "One evening, I was working in my office, and I heard a knock on the door," Bryan said. "When I answered, a young girl said, ‘I hear you have a place for pregnant teenagers.' She came in, spent the night, had supper and breakfast the next day, and we found out that she was 15 and very pregnant. She stayed with us and had a beautiful baby a few months later. It is wonderful for us to know that she and her child are starting off right because of this program."
The furnishings at My Aunt's House are colorful, bright and contemporary, adding cheerful ambiance to each private room as well as the common areas. There are cradles in each bedroom, and although the young mothers can stay at My Aunt's House for up to two years following the birth of their baby, an important part of the program for each girl is learning life skills that will be needed when they leave. Phyllis Richards is a houseparent. She explained the process:
"One of the most difficult things for the girls is acclimating to the schedule," she said. "It's very structured, even if it is a home program. And that's a challenge for some of the girls."
"The girls have days to do laundry and to cook," said Jean Thomas of the Children's Home. "And they have nice things while they are here, so they want nice things when they leave and that's strong motivation."
Ann Faris, of the Forsyth Adolescent Health Coalition, worked with the Children's Home and many community organizations to take My Aunt's House from concept to reality. "If you are under 18, pregnant or parenting and can't live at home," she said, "this is the only place you can live in Forsyth County. There was a documented need for this type of place, and it does not duplicate any other facility or services."
Madison Church, who is in the 10th grade at Paisley Magnet Middle School, organized a benefit concert as her service project to raise money for My Aunt's House. "We raised over $3,500," Church said. "Jonas Sees in Color played at Paisley in September."
"When she told me what she was taking on," said Lea Church Brendle, Madison's mother, "I was mortified. But she ended up being a great event planner."
Maria Mendieta has two children and is currently in transitional housing at My Aunt's House. She also is in the nursing program at Forsyth Technical Community College and plans to become a nurse. "It's a great place because you are able to get connected with community resources," she said. "I've had financing, budgeting and parenting classes while living here, and all of those are very important when you're out on your own."
"This is a fantastic project and a great organization," said Will Parry-Hill, the government and community liaison for the North Carolina Housing Finance Agency. "It really enhances the community."
Mary Beth Cross read about the project two years ago and decided to become involved by volunteering. "When I read about this, it became a calling," Cross said. "I am ready to dive in and help the Children's Home any way I can."
Cross told Rep. Dale Folwell, R-Forsyth, and his wife, Synthia, about the project. "We were at Big Shotz and I asked Mary Beth what she was going to do when her kids graduated from college," Synthia Folwell said. "She told me about My Aunt's House, and I told a lot of people about it because of her. "I attended Paisley, and I had a lot of friends who lived at the Children's Home," said Dale Folwell, "so there is a strong connection for me between the school and this property. This place gave a lot of my friends their first chance, so it is important to me to support this project."
Norma Pearman said it was fulfilling to see the positive result of years of community effort and support. Pearman and board member Jean Irvin bought some of the furnishings for My Aunt's House, and furniture was donated by Bowen Town & Country, Schnadig, Jeff and Lynn Young and Bassett. "It's overwhelming to have all these people come in and see what the community has pulled together," Pearman said. "We're here today to celebrate and remember that it's all for the girls.
Leigh Somerville McMillan
6 July 2010
http://www2.journalnow.com/content/2010/jul/06/060035/my-aunts-house/news/
