Reaching out to Teen Moms at the Holidays

Since Christmas is the story about the world's most famous teen mom, why not use it as an opportunity to reach out to pregnant teens/teen moms in your community? Here are some ideas:

Retell the "Baby Jesus story" the way it would go down in East LA or other modern neighborhood with the same financial troubles as Bethlehem . For starters, don't cast a blonde haired blue eyed Mary. Think more of Alicia Keys than Christian Aguilera. Then think of the reality:

•  Mary would be pressured to terminate her pregnancy, since abortion clinics are plentiful in lower economic neighborhoods.

•  Jesus would most likely be born underweight and early, since neo natal care would be hard to find.

•  Both would drop out of school: Joseph to find a job at McDonald's to pay for the child; Mary would have no one to watch her baby in order to complete his studies.

•  The donkey they rode could be a seat on a public bus.

•  Modern day wise men would get lost, taking three years to come, relying on directions from downloaded from Mapquest on the blackberries.

Secret Wise Men

Allow families with more means to bless the teen moms with items and gifts that she needs.

Adopt a local Crisis Pregnancy Center.

Have a Banquet for Teen Moms

This could be an opportunity undo any of the negative vibes a pregnant teen received from a church. Advertise it at schools, CPC centers, YWCA and even planned parenthood. Thank the teen moms for choosing life. Her path is tough. Be sure to offer baby care

 

Create a Diaper Wreath

http://entertaining.about.com/od/bridalandbabyshowers/ss/diaperwreath.htm

Chauffer Service Pass

Getting around is twice as tough. Offer passes for free shuttle service to church or doctors appointments.

Offer Free Baby Sitting Service

A one night pass with no strings attached!

Help Pay for Day Care

If you church offers day care, be sure to save a few slots for the children of a teen moms. This could be the difference between a young teen mom finishing school or not. If you don't have licensed day care, you might have a few trusted members who would be willing to donate their time.

Create a Dream Book

This can be a real powerful tool for the teen mom with more than one child. Create a photo album with pictures of her children, with spaces for her to write the dreams she has for them, and the thing she'll do to help them reach those dreams.

 

Fully Loaded Diaper Bag

Fill them with the things the teen mom needs, from binkies wipes to a gift card to a favorite store

Shower Her with Blessings

Create a spin on fortune cookies by filling them with Blessings for the young mom. If you can't create a fortune cookie, write blessings on holiday gift tabs (the little ones you stick on packages). Place them in fish bowl and invite each young mom to grab one. Be sure to read them out loud!

Pass out Baby Bucks for attendance CLICK HERE FOR YOUR FREE DOWNLOAD!

Give attendees a copy of Life After Birth Bible Study for Teen or SheWise: Wisdom Beyond Street Smarts. Invite the young ladies to come again!