Young Moms Waiting for a Mentor

Tani is 19 years old and due with her first child in August. She lives with her father and stepmom in a loving, stable home on the southeast side of Grand Rapids. Tani is bubbly and talkative but also very sensitive. She has a heart for those who are hurting or in crisis. Tani has had some trauma in her past and needs a volunteer who will be compassionate. Tani is currently working part time at a fast food restaurant. She has not yet finished high school and needs the support and encouragement from a volunteer to get her GED and go to college. Tani would prefer a volunteer with parenting experience. She is available evenings and weekends and would like to do anything a volunteer suggests as long as they can have good conversations.

If you are interested in becoming a mentor for Tani, please contact Stephanie Sheler at 616.774.4622 or to email her, click here.

Nessie is a 16-year-old mom to a 4-month-old daughter. She lives with her mother and siblings in southwest Grand Rapids. Nessie is very quiet and needs a volunteer who will draw her into conversation. Nessie is currently attending high school. She is doing well in most of her classes but she finds algebra to be quite difficult. She will need encouragement to continue with her education so she can graduate in 2014. She might also need someone who can help advocate for appropriate academic services. Nessie’s boyfriend Luis is 19 years old and is very involved with his daughter’s care. Nessie is available to spend time with a volunteer after school, evenings and weekends. (Note: Nessie’s mother speaks only Spanish so it might be helpful if a volunteer can communicate with her in Spanish, but this is not a requirement.)

If you are interested in becoming a mentor for Nessie, please contact Stephanie Sheler at 616.774.4622 or to email her, click here.

Nineteen-year-old Britavia is parenting a 3-month-old daughter and is newly pregnant. She lives with her mother near East Beltline and Burton. Britavia has had significant trauma in her life and is very vulnerable. She finds it amazing when someone is kind to her. She needs a supportive, compassionate volunteer who will provide consistent stability. In spite of the trauma in her life, Britavia is an amazing young woman. She is responsible, kind and polite. She is soft-spoken but very talkative. She is a terrific mother to her daughter and is very motivated to be the best mom she can be. Britavia works full time and is available to spend time with a volunteer in the late afternoons, evenings or weekends. Britavia would like to be matched to a Christian volunteer because she wants to learn about something that can be permanent in her life even when everything else goes wrong.

If you are interested in becoming a mentor for Britavia, please contact Stephanie Sheler at 616.774.4622 or to email her, click here.