SYRACUSE - Teen Parents Succeeding received a $5,000 check Thursday from The Indiana Youth Institute.
Bill Stanczykiewicz, Indiana Youth Institute president and CEO, presented Teen Parents Succeeding with the check. The funds will be used by TPS for professional development for staff members and program development.
The institute promotes the healthy development of children and youth by serving the institutions and people of Indiana who work on its behalf.
An open house was held at the non-profit organization attended by approximately 50 staff and board members, volunteers and teens and their children.
"We're thrilled to be honored and recognized by an agency that invests in the future of our youth," said Kathleen Johnston, TPS volunteer and board member.
TPS is one of 10 recipients in Indiana chosen from approximately 160 applicants for the funds.
Since 1991, the program has served 99 teen mothers and 75 have graduated from high school."Research shows three things that keep teens out of poverty is graduating high school, getting a full-time job and delaying parenthood until marriage," said Stanczykiewicz.
He said TPS helps young mothers receive the education they need and breaks the cycle of teen pregnancy and poverty, and brings hope into the lives of their children.
TPS serves teenage mothers at Wawasee High School who are required to follow a schedule, maintain good grades and avoid discipline problems at school. Students also are required to attend a weekly class on parenting skills and other life skills that can help them explore careers, examine college options and become self sufficient.
TPS provide childcare services for Wawasee students who have children.
TPS maintains an office at Wawasee High School where program staff can check on school attendance and academic results, be in contact with school counselors on how best to help the teen mothers, and maintain daily communications with the moms while they are in school.
