Advocate For Native Teen Moms Welcomes Funds
Wednesday, May 04, 2005 at 13:59
The director of a social outreach centre in North Battleford says she hopes to change some prevailing attitudes about pregnant Aboriginal girls in her community.
Gwen Favel says too much is expected at times of teenage girls who become pregnant and don’t have a lot of support.
Favel, the director of the Pamiyisohk Steps to Independent Living project in North Battleford, says she hopes to change that with the creation of a new centre.
Just this week, her group received $267,000 from Ottawa to help address homelessness in her community.
Favel says the money is being used to fix up an old correctional facility that can then be used to house homeless Aboriginal girls and teen mothers.
She wants to show the community of North Battleford and surrounding district that these girls can become successful on their own, if they’re shown the way.
Favel says 30 years of social work inside the Aboriginal community has convinced her that mothers and babies should never be separated.
She thinks teaching teenage girls about how to become good mothers is the best way to help them get on with their lives.
Favel hopes to have the building set up within two months and already has begun looking for staff.