Daycare + education aids parenting teens: Neighbourhood House program offers support to young moms
North Shore News
Manisha Krishnan
March 24, 2010

While most teens are busy partying, Facebooking and haphazardly finishing their homework, a small minority of them is facing the very adult challenges that come with raising a baby.

For these young people, even the goal of completing high school becomes much more difficult to achieve.

That's why it's important that support systems like North Shore Neighbourhood House's Learning Together program continue to exist. The program, which started 15 years ago, provides free daycare and support for parenting teens while they finish their high school education.

It's the kind of help that student Cora Elhagg, 22, says she wouldn't be able to manage without.

"Without the program I wouldn't have gotten as far as I am now. I do have my hard days, but when I have people at the daycare to talk to it definitely affirms my want to become better," said Elhagg whose baby Lucas is 19 months old….

After doing some research, Elhagg found out about Learning Together and began taking classes at Sutherland secondary -- where the daycare is located -- last September.

As a participant in the program, she attends both integrated and self-paced courses and has access to counselling and a family support worker.

"It's very important for the moms to have the connection to the community resources because they don't necessarily have any idea of what's available," explained Lisa Hubbard, program manager for North Shore Neighbourhood House.

Even helping out with little things like rides or bus tickets can make a big difference, she added….

"We share our experiences and comment on each other's and give each other advice and stuff which is really nice."….