“She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.” Proverbs 31:25

It’s happening!

MMS’s Young Mum’s Transition house, Waihōpai is getting ready for supporting teenage mums and their babies.

Unlike our Youth Transition Houses where the rakatahi are of mixed genders; (27.5% male, 65% female and 7.5% transgender/gender-diverse/non-binary residents), our new Young Mum’s House is a dedicated physical space where young teen mums and their pēpi are provided for in a nurtured environment that is a whānau-centred space of self-care, a space of practical support and a space of sharing skills.

While teenage pregnancies have been on the decline in New Zealand, our statistics remain high compared to other countries. The teen birth rate is particularly high amongst Māori and Pacifika teens compared with other ethnicities.

Socio-economic circumstances determine the success of teenage parents, and teenagers who do not have awareness of, or access to, the resources that are available to them are at greater risk of negative outcomes – for them and their babies.

Where we can, we will bring the young mums into our Youth house first, before the pepi is born to help her get stabilised before everything changes again! Referrals are expected from a combination of Govt agencies, NGO/community providers, and self-referrals from rakatahi and their whānau, and we are fortunate that there is a keen interest already amongst helping agencies.

With timely support, MMS will not only be able to provide a specialist support person (Taituarā a Hāpori) as in our transitional houses but also the specialist nurturing that is required after giving birth. With our strength-based, client-led practices, we can measurably prepare these teenage mothers to have a less rocky future.

We will be empowering these young mums, expected to be under 18years old, to be successful and self-reliant mothers raising healthy, resilient, and able tamariki. They will be able to move beyond the painful experiences that have led to disengagement with their whānau being strong, independent parents, who are supported and accepted by their community.

MMS will, with the help of those able to chip in, work to ‘clothe’ these young women, who are often living in unsupported and unsafe situations, with strength and dignity.

Please join us to set up our Young Mum’s House.

Contact Julie julier@mmsouth.org.nz