What We Do: Group Services

Weekly group meetings allow adolescent parents to find commonality, strength, and encouragement to help them meet the demands of parenthood. According to Strengthening Families, a report of the Doris Duke Foundation, programs which increase protective factors among adolescent parents are more successful at preventing child abuse and neglect.

Young Parent – Community Groups

Young Parent – Community Groups are hosted weekly at the following locations: Addison, Downers Grove, Naperville, Villa Park, and West Chicago.

Requirements: Pregnant or parenting teens ages 12-22, young moms and young dads. Partners welcomed.

Topics for Child: Child Development including Developmental Screenings, Immunizations and Well-child visits, Importance of Play and Early Literacy, Feeding and Sleeping discussions, and more.

Topics for Young Parent: Parent/Child Relationships, Goal Setting, Health and Wellness, Stress Management, Budgeting and Money Management, Workforce Development, Family Planning and more.

Theme: Young Families is specifically designed to address the questions and concerns of both young mom and dad. Trained facilitators lead group discussions based on needs, whether personal, social, legal, or practical. Young parents have a chance to meet other young families and build crucial peer support, while learning about their baby’s development and how to access resources in their community.

Strong Dads Groups

Strong Dads Groups are hosted bi-weekly at the following locations: Downers Grove and Naperville.

Requirements: Young dad or significant other, ages 12-25 who has expressed interest in actively parenting their child.

Topics for Dads: Role of Fathers, Providing for their Family (including emotionally & financially), Self-Care, Healthy Relationships, Bonding with Child

Theme: Dad’s Group is specifically designed to address the questions and concerns relating primarily to young dad. Participants are custodial, non-custodial and prospective fathers. Dad’s are free to socialize on a comfortable level with their peers, find commonality and support with other young dads in their community, and talk about planning for their future. Resources and information are shared to promote positive father involvement in the life of their child(ren).

Young Families School-Based Groups

Young Families School-Based Groups are hosted during the school year on a monthly bases at the following partner schools: Wheaton Warrenville South, Willowbrook, Glenbard North, Glenbard East, Glenbard West, Westmont, Ombudsman, Wheaton North, West Chicago Community, and Hinsdale South High Schools.

Requirements: Pregnant or parenting teens enrolled in local high school, young moms and young dads

Topics for Young Families: School Completion, Role of Fathers, Child Development, Health & Wellness, Community Resources, and other topics as needed

Theme: High school completion for young parents can provide direction, stability, and confidence. Our high school groups are designed to follow young mom and dad through their high school journey, while promoting positive parenting, maximizing child health and development and setting goals. Young parents receive ongoing support and guidance and are empowered to reach their fullest potential.

Please contact Alyssa Carlson for more information at [email protected] or (630) 812-0766