Syracuse TPS Faces Budget Woes
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
SYRACUSE - Some things make a town a community, where people care and work together for the good of everyone.
In Syracuse, one of these things is Teen Parents Succeeding, a group that helps young single parents complete their high school education. Because of this help, some have even gone on to college.
Begun nearly 10 years ago by Jackie Plikerd, a mother with a need, the program continues under the direction of Shantel Keith. Next fall, Keith expects to have eight new babies, plus three who are already in the program.
But next fall may not happen because money is tight, and without it, TPS won't be able to pay the utilities, let alone other bills.
"We are really struggling," said Keith, who is a Wawasee High School and Ball State University graduate with a degree in early childhood, kindergarten and elementary education.
Operating about as inexpensively as possible, TPS uses a house, rent-free, that is donated by the Syracuse Church of God, which also allows the group to use its banquet room for support group and counseling meetings.
And TPS relies on a bevy of volunteers. But even volunteers are hard to come by these days. TPS needs caring adults to volunteer to work with the children, to help with maintenance and to serve on the board of directors.
One of the people who pitches in to run support groups is Richina Nichols, who knows how important TPS is because Nichols' mother designed it when Nichols became pregnant while still in high school.
TPS is the kind of program that requires the young mothers to make major changes in their lives, not only with the care of their children, but also by attending parenting classes, counseling and support groups and being active in fund-raising. They also learn the importance of following directions and living within the rules set by TPS. Those who can't, leave.
Young parents learn about nutrition, stress management and car-seat safety and receive information on resources and referral assistance.
The program actively works hand-in-hand with Wawasee High School, which allows the young parents to be with their children during study halls.
While TPS does not promote teen pregnancies, it aims to give assistance in a situation that already exists.
In the past 10 years, 65 students have been helped and 50 of these have graduated from high school. Eight of this group went on to college. And none of them has had a second birth before completing the program.
TPS is a success story that needs financial assistance to continue. [[In-content Ad]]
SYRACUSE - Some things make a town a community, where people care and work together for the good of everyone.
In Syracuse, one of these things is Teen Parents Succeeding, a group that helps young single parents complete their high school education. Because of this help, some have even gone on to college.
Begun nearly 10 years ago by Jackie Plikerd, a mother with a need, the program continues under the direction of Shantel Keith. Next fall, Keith expects to have eight new babies, plus three who are already in the program.
But next fall may not happen because money is tight, and without it, TPS won't be able to pay the utilities, let alone other bills.
"We are really struggling," said Keith, who is a Wawasee High School and Ball State University graduate with a degree in early childhood, kindergarten and elementary education.
Operating about as inexpensively as possible, TPS uses a house, rent-free, that is donated by the Syracuse Church of God, which also allows the group to use its banquet room for support group and counseling meetings.
And TPS relies on a bevy of volunteers. But even volunteers are hard to come by these days. TPS needs caring adults to volunteer to work with the children, to help with maintenance and to serve on the board of directors.
One of the people who pitches in to run support groups is Richina Nichols, who knows how important TPS is because Nichols' mother designed it when Nichols became pregnant while still in high school.
TPS is the kind of program that requires the young mothers to make major changes in their lives, not only with the care of their children, but also by attending parenting classes, counseling and support groups and being active in fund-raising. They also learn the importance of following directions and living within the rules set by TPS. Those who can't, leave.
Young parents learn about nutrition, stress management and car-seat safety and receive information on resources and referral assistance.
The program actively works hand-in-hand with Wawasee High School, which allows the young parents to be with their children during study halls.
While TPS does not promote teen pregnancies, it aims to give assistance in a situation that already exists.
In the past 10 years, 65 students have been helped and 50 of these have graduated from high school. Eight of this group went on to college. And none of them has had a second birth before completing the program.
TPS is a success story that needs financial assistance to continue. [[In-content Ad]]