Document text
45 °F Forecast | Road Cams Sunday, March 7, 2004 Today's News | Classifieds | Autos | Homes | Jobs | Tempo | Health | Community | Home Delivery SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map EXTRA Newspaper in Education Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People CLASSIFIEDS Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Find a Rental Place an ad eSouthernOregon Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar CUSTOMER SERVICE Frequent Questions Advertising Information Home Delivery Employment Contact Us Media Kit Network Affiliate Email Story to a Friend February 22, 2004 Rogue River gets a ‘little white house’ Teen mothers now have a place to meet By SANNE SPECHT Mail Tribune ROGUE RIVER — An AmeriCorps volunteer and the Rogue River School District are combining forces to help provide a gathering place for at-risk teenage girls. Volunteer Marilou Stevens says the newly rehabilitated "little white house" will benefit from a $6,000 Carpenter Foundation grant. And, she says, so will the district’s teen moms, babies and moms-to-be. "This is where I’d like to see them congregate," says Stevens. The newly cleaned, painted and carpeted building on the grounds of Rogue River Elementary School formerly housed the district’s continuing education program before that program was moved to the middle school. The district’s eight "at risk" girls — four who remain in school and four who have dropped out — need a space of their own to talk about "decisions and choices," she says. Advertisement Stevens says the building was initially uninhabitable because of black mold. But that section of the structure has been removed. "The house wasn’t clean enough to have the mothers and babies in it before," Stevens says. "The girls have been meeting in school rooms and at the community center." The building will provide the girls with a place to meet for lunch, do crafts and plan their futures in a supportive and non-threatening environment. Stevens says she hopes the girls plan for their children’s future as well. "Part of my job is to help them with their kids," says Stevens. "Every chance I get, I encourage Head Start." One of the girls, "Christine," an 18-year-old who requested her real name not be used, says she dropped out of Grants Pass High School at 15 when she found out she was pregnant. Currently living in Rogue River with her 2½ -year-old son, Christine says she’s considering attending Rogue Community College but isn’t sure a degree is necessary. And leaving her son with caregivers is making her nervous. "I’ve had him with me since I was 15," she says. "I might decide to homeschool him. Also, my fianc� has his own business, so we’ll see." Stevens said Christine’s is a typical attitude among teen mothers. "They have a lot of pressures on them that most teen girls do not," she said. "Going to school can lose its importance." Still, Stevens said, completing an education is important not only for the mother’s and baby’s financial security, but for social reasons as well. "School has a normalizing effect on kids," she said. "It’s much better to be in school — even for part of the day." Teens’ parents are welcome to the "little white house" to learn how to talk to their kids about sexuality and responsibility. Stevens recently held a meeting for parents. Although only five parents showed, Stevens says they were five more than she expected. The community has been supportive of the project, says Stevens, donating a crib and a stroller, among other items. "I also got donations for manicures (from local beauty salons) and the girls got carnations for Valentine’s Day," she says. Reach reporter Sanne Specht at 776-4497 or e-mail [email protected] . Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2004 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback 3 WEEKS FREE! ADVERTISERS A D V E R T I S E R S RESOURCES Oregon Road Conditions & Cams SPECIAL SECTIONS Auto Finder Job Finder Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Since We Asked Food for Thought Wellness Connection Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Opportunities Prime Times