A Beacon Of Hope Womens Center Inc

The Bridge Classes and individual education provided through A Beacon of Hope's Social Services allow patients, who have courageously chosen to continue their unplanned pregnancies and parent their children, the support system they need. Often overwhelmed with fear and lacking a support system, qualifying patients will be thrilled to receive nearly three years of education and practical support until their child reaches two years of age. By attending parenting classes, new moms earn "Baby Bucks" to shop for critical baby supplies in the baby & me boutique such as diapers, wipes, baby clothes, toys, cribs and car seats. Group classes are offered two to three evenings per month in two locations, with dinner and childcare provided for all attendees. In addition, individual classes are offered during business hours to meet our patients' diverse scheduling needs. Topics include CPR training, crib and car seat training, child development, positive discipline, relationship education, budget and finance education, etc. The Bridge attendees love the community of support that Bridge provides, connecting them to other mothers and to Beacon Team Members who provide a safety net during this new chapter in life. The goal for Bridge is to empower new families to transition from crisis to stability, so they can become contributing members of the community. In 2024, approximately 78 new mothers participated in the Bridge Program and earned ""Baby Bucks"" to purchase over 30,000 items from the Beacon Baby & Me Boutique. Donors help minimize program expenses by donating meals for class attendees, and by donating new and gently used items to stock the Baby & Me Boutique. Expenses for this program include childcare, meals, training materials, and salaries for three part-time coordinators. In addition, cribs and car seats must be newly purchased according to federal regulations. For more information about bridge long-term care offered through a beacon of hope: https://www.friendsofbeacon.com/fob/donate/other-ways-to-give/"

Today's sex-saturated culture presents several obstacles as teens seek to reach their full potential. By the age of 18, 58% of teens have had sex, so A Beacon of Hope is diligently working to decrease the number of teens engaging in at risk-sexual activity. A Beacon of Hope's prevention initiative provides innovative educational programs that empowers approximately 6,500 students per school year to live healthy lives and to have healthy relationships. The educational programs offered through A Beacon of Hope equips teens to understand how the choices they make today, will influence their tomorrow. It outlines the differences between unhealthy relationships and healthy relationships. Topics covered during the educational programs include: Culture comparison, the typical profile of an American teen, the evidenced based definition of at risk sexual activity, the physical, psychological, social, and financial consequences of unhealthy choices, STI and pregnancy facts, the financial reality of teen pregnancy, the evidence based facts about protection, and how drinking alcohol and using drugs is often connected to teen sex. As a result of these programs, thousands of teens are impacted and hundreds of unplanned teen pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections are prevented.