December 15, 2006
For Immediate Release
For more information contact:
Pat Stoiber, Director of Marketing and
Fund Development
Youth Service Bureau
815.338.7360
The Ridgefield
Crystal Lake Presbyterian Church has a giving tree for the YSB Teenage Mothers
Initiative Program (T.A.M.I.). The church
members have been placing gifts under the tree for their babies. Items
requested include new baby clothing, sippy cups, baby toys, bibs, bottles,
formula, diapers and other needed items. The gifts will be used for their
holiday party. The T.A.M.I. Program
offers support, education and social activities for pregnant and parenting
teens (mothers and fathers). It is offered free of charge to
anyone living in
One of the
positive outcomes of the T.A.M.I. program is the support the teens get from one
another. When a teen becomes pregnant or a parent they can become isolated or
depressed. Adolescent transition, school
responsibilities, the possibly of leaving home, child bearing and rearing all
create stress. Knowing they are not alone, and meeting and supporting one
another helps them a great deal. Another component of the program is the
encouragement and support they receive to stay in school. The 2004 Report on
Illinois Poverty published by the Illinois Poverty Institute concluded only 64%
of teen mothers complete their high-school education or GED. Lack of a
high-school education is closely linked to low-income. Of the 17 girls that
regularly attend the T.A.M.I. program at the church, 10 are still in high-school,
3 graduated, 2 went on to further education and only 2 dropped out.
YSB is a
not-for-profit organization that has been caring for children and families for
30 years by providing affordable counseling and prevention services to the
community. YSB is located at
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