Why I Love Teen Success, Inc.

By: Peter Belden
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With so many organizations out there doing good work, what is it that makes Teen Success, Inc. stand out? To me the specific focus on teen moms, an often overlooked group, and the clarity of Teen Success, Inc.'s goals sets Teen Success, Inc. apart. This clarity makes it easy to understand what the organization is trying to achieve and to see how it is progressing. ​

Teen moms are a clear, specific and overlooked population. Even many people who are concerned about teen pregnancy do not realize how common repeat teen pregnancy is and the lack of programs that work with teen moms. By focusing just on this group Teen Success, Inc. has developed a particular understanding and trust with the members it serves. 

Teen Success, Inc. has three goals for its members:

1. To complete high school 
   
2. To develop strong parenting skills to nurture their child's positive development
   
3. To maintain family size by avoiding unplanned pregnancy
   

The clarity of these goals and the way in which the Teen Success, Inc. curriculum directly addresses each of them reveals the careful thought that went into their selection. These three goals are also complementary. While other programs focus only on parenting skills or mentoring for life skills, they generally do not address the important topics of high school completion and of providing information on birth control to avoid another teen pregnancy that could complicate the young mom’s plans. It was my head that brought me to Teen Success, Inc. but it's my heart that keeps me there. My head was attracted by the organization's clear strategy, but once I was able to visit a Teen Success, Inc. program session and hear from the teen moms in person, my heart was hooked. 

With such a high need, an important population being served, and a clear set of goals I was excited by the opportunity to support Teen Success, Inc. and I hope you will consider it as well. And if that’s not enough, when you help a teen mom you are changing not just one life, you are changing two.

Peter Belden is a Teen Success, Inc. Board Member and is co-founder of Upstream USA.