Commerford Maternity Residence

Learning While Waiting
For teenage girls with traumatic family histories, having a baby can appear to be a fairy-tale solution; the opportunity to create their own ideal family. These girls-14 to 21 years old-invariably lack positive role models and support systems. The Commerford Maternity Residence helps young mothers-to-be to avoid the dysfunctional or abusive patterns of their own childhood by offering parenting training and psychological counseling. Classes are conducted with peer groups in a dormitory setting, where girls are encouraged to set realistic educational and career goals, save money, and if possible, live independently after their babies are born.