Teen Parent Connection

Mark your calendar! The next monthly Breakfast with Baby event is Saturday, Sept 21 7:30am - 9:00am at Our Savior Lutheran Church 1244 W Army Trail Rd, Carol Stream IL. Remember, you MUST bring your baby with you (if baby is under 4 months, bring birth cert or hospital id bracelet instead). Come early for best selection - first come, first served. Details at www.oursavior.com/breakfastwithbaby & download the brochure. No advance registration needed.

SAVE THE DATE - On Sunday, October 27th, 2024, Teen Parent Connection will host our annual Festival of Friends at Medinah Country Club! We are also thrilled to present our first Community Sponsor, Glen Ellyn Bank & Trust, a Wintrust Community Bank!

Join us for a delightful afternoon at Medinah’s award-winning golf course. Enter to win raffle baskets, enjoy local entertainment and a delicious luncheon, and learn more about the work of Teen Parent Connection. To purchase tickets, please visit our website: https://teenparentconnection.org/fof/

Today, we remember the lives lost and honor the heroes who emerged 23 years ago. Together, we find strength in unity and remembrance.

Listen/Read this article to learn how to talk about 9/11 with younger generations: https://www.npr.org/2021/09/09/1035454983/how-to-talk-about-9-11-with-a-new-generation-of-kids

Take a sneak peek at the Crisis Recovery Center (CRC) opening summer of 2025, bringing crucial support to those in crisis in DuPage County. Help us raise awareness by watching and sharing—because every step toward recovery counts!💙
https://tinyurl.com/56m3k5ss

County Health Department

DuPage County Crisis Recovery Center Welcome to the Crisis Recovery Center (CRC), opening Summer of 2025, the CRC will provide a beacon of hope and support for those navigating through life's t...

This past Saturday, Teen Parent Connection had the opportunity to attend the first Mental Health Summit hosted by the DuPage County Board and DuPage County Health Department.

We spotlighted our many programs which support adolescent parents' mental health, such as our therapy services and various support groups. Dr. Francen, Licensed Clinical Psychologist, and Karli, Community Outreach Specialist, shook hands and spoke with Former U.S. Congressman Patrick Kennedy who was the keynote speaker at the event.

Considering returning to work after taking time off to care for children or parents? The nationally recognized Back to School, Back to Work program from workNet DuPage Career Center can help! Time is running out to apply for upcoming sessions, so register now!
https://worknetdupage.org/back-to-school-back-to-work/

Spotlight Saturday!👏

Teen Parent Connection’s therapy services are available to participants currently enrolled in our parenting support programs. TPC's therapists, Delaney and Kylie, assist families facing increased stressors that may result in depression, anxiety, interpersonal conflict, and risk for child abuse and neglect. Services are provided in the Teen Parent Connection office or through home visits.

TPC also offers group-based therapy with weekly meetings focused on special topics including trauma, healthy relationships, depression and anxiety, self-esteem, attachment and bonding, and effective co-parenting.

Visit our website for more information: https://teenparentconnection.org/therapy/

Aligning with the theme of Labor Day, September 1st-7th is Workplace Lactation Week!🤱

Hello!!

🤱👷‍♀️👩🏾‍💼September 1-7 is Workplace Lactation Week!👩‍⚕️👩‍🍳🍼

Workplace Lactation Week was created in 2023 and is celebrated annually from September 1-7. The observance celebrates the contributions of nursing mothers and parents in the workplace and aligns with Labor Day, highlighting the vital role working and pumping parents play in the workforce.

This year's theme is "Policy to Practice: Making Lactation Support a Reality"

Stay tuned for some more information about the Illinois laws and policies that exist to protect pumping and lactating parents in the workplace!

Teen Parent Connection #

Teen Parent Connection will be closed today due to the holiday! We will be open again tomorrow, September 3rd. Have a safe Labor Day!😊

Spotlight Saturday!👏

This week, we are spotlighting our Healthy Families home visiting program! Home visiting is proven to reduce the risk for child abuse and neglect and provides young parents support by meeting them where they’re at— right in their own home.

Teen Parent Connection home visitors are trained to take the time to get to know participants and provide support that is specific to their needs. With a new baby at home, parents will have many questions about their child and their new role in life, which home visitors can help navigate. Some topics which home visitors may cover include encouraging healthy child development, appropriate nutrition for infants and children, age-appropriate discipline, employment information, self-care, etc.

For more information, visit https://teenparentconnection.org/programs/healthy-families/

Join us in welcoming our two new clinical therapist externs, Delaney and Kylie! We are so excited to have them joining our TPC team😀

Stay tuned for a future Saturday Spotlight, where you will learn more about our Therapy Program!

🤱🏾This week is !

Spotlight Saturday!👏

This week, we are highlighting our amazing Peer Prevention Program! Teen Parent Connection delivers education to thousands of middle and high school students in the DuPage County area throughout the school year. Our Health Educators partner with Peer Educators, who share their personal experiences of being young parents.

For more information about this program, visit https://teenparentconnection.org/programs/prevention/

We had an amazing time at the WeGo Together for Kids Back to School event on Monday! Thank you to everyone who joined us! We had two tables this year, one with car seat safety information and with information about our many programs available at Teen Parent Connection.

Thanks to United Way of Metro Chicago, we were able to give brand new socks to young students who attended so they can "start the school year on the right foot!"

Click through the photos to check out our newest masterpiece made possible by the many children who attended the event!

Calling all current and recently graduated TPC participants!📣

📣We are hiring a Peer Education Specialist for this school year. This is a part-time, paid position. You would be accompanying our Health Educators at DuPage County middle schools and high schools, where you have the opportunity to share your experience as a young parent.

📣The prevention team, Virginia and Liz, will train and prepare you for this prevention focused role. For more information or to apply, email [email protected]

Spotlight Saturday!👏

This week, we are highlighting the Dads' Program!

This Dads' Program is one of the very few programs in the nation which provides support specifically to young fathers. Teen Parent Connection understand that a caring and involved father can have a large, positive impact on a child's life.

The program is led by Pat Nakamura, who meets with young fathers one-on-one to help achieve personal, professional, and parenting goals. The program is designed to empower young dads to understand the role and responsibilities of fatherhood, encouraging them to build strong connections with their families.

Pat works with each participant's schedule to meet in-person or online, on a weekly to monthly basis.

For more information, visit the link in our bio!😀

This week is Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Breastfeeding Week!😀

Thank you to First Church of Lombard UCC for welcoming us on Sunday to share the work and mission of Teen Parent Connection. We were greeted with such enthusiasm and kindness.🥰

Mona, our Peer Educator Specialist, shared her amazing story filled with courage, determination, and love. Everyone listening could feel the passion and emotion behind her words: “it truly does take a village to raise a child. Thank you for being a part of that village.”

Spotlight Saturday!👏

This week we are spotlighting our Pregnancy and Parent Support Groups.

Teen Parent Connection provides numerous support groups in order to provide social support for participants. These groups are a safe place for young parents and parents-to-be to find commonality and encouragement among peers without judgement.

Our groups are designed to discuss topics which are based on the current needs of participants. There is a group for everybody! To ensure that groups are accessible to everyone, they are offered both in-person and online. Free childcare is provided during some groups.

All groups are led by qualified facilitators. All Perinatal Support Groups are led by certified lactation counselors.

For more information, visit our website: https://teenparentconnection.org/programs/group-services/

August 8th-August 14th is Indigenous Milk Medicine Week!

Did a Teen Parent Connection home visitor make a difference in your life? Whether it was years ago or just last week, we want them to know how appreciated they are!😊

Join us in filling out a virtual thank-you card for a TPC home visitor whose efforts you want to recognize! https://bit.ly/4cnXPiN
Send to [email protected], we will forward it for you!

Expressing Gratitude for Our Illinois Home Visitors Fill out a thank you card and let a home visitor know what an impact they made!

Rise and shine, it's !!🤱

Thank you, Elmhurst Resource Collaboration for having us at the Back to School Resource, Health, and Career Fair yesterday! We had such a great time while sharing information about the resources which Teen Parent Connection provides.

Take a look at the masterpiece created by kiddos who attended the event! Children of the community took turns filling our logo with stamps, symbolizing that our organization's mission is possible because of the support of our community. Thank you!

Teen Parent Connection is for three positions. Join our team and help the organization carry out our mission of empowering young families!

To view full descriptions of the open roles, please visit our website at: https://teenparentconnection.org/join-the-team/ .

Introducing Spotlight Saturday!👏

Beginning our program spotlight series, we have the Doula Program.

Doulas play an important role in supporting individuals during pregnancy, birth, and the postpartum period. They provide non-medical care, education, support, and advocacy in preparation for birth and caring for a newborn.

During weekly home visits, doulas help participants learn more about various topics such as fetal development, prenatal health and wellness, labor and delivery, relaxation techniques, transitioning into parenthood, etc.

Teen Parent Connection: Pregnancy Groups

For more information, visit our website: https://teenparentconnection.org/programs/doula/

Teen Parent Connection is now hiring a part-time Office & Administrative Assistant position. To be considered, please send your cover letter and resume to the email address listed by 8/15/2024.

To view the full job description please visit: https://teenparentconnection.org/join-the-team/

If "Playground" was an Olympic sport, these kiddos would win the GOLD!🥇

Look out for information about our next play group! TPC participants are welcome to bring their friends and family!

Teen Parent Connection is hiring two full-time positions! Join our team and help us carry out our mission of serving young adults in DuPage County through education and resources for early parenthood and prevention.

Visit our website for full job descriptions: https://teenparentconnection.org/join-the-team/