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Statistics show Hamilton has more young mothers than the provincial average. And at this time of year, many of them are looking for a place to turn to help with some of the additional challenges they face. Angela’s place is a community outreach program that provides a safe haven and support for young mothers. Twenty-one year old Victoria and her 18-month old son Damian are celebrating the holiday’s at the Angela’s Place Christmas party.
Angela’s Place is a transitional home for young mothers. It gives them shelter and support. Victoria has lived here for thirteen months and says her life would be different if she wasn’t living here: “I honestly don’t think I would have him, id be probably couch hopping, probably getting into a lot of trouble, probably wouldn’t be doing good. Wouldn’t be able to manage my money.”
Angela’s Place also provides safety for it’s young mothers, many lived in undesirable neighbourhoods and some were taken advantage of by landlords. The teen moms have also faced significant life challenges.
Loretta Hill-Finamore works at Angela’s Place: “Lots of mental health issues, lots of struggles financially, to be a teen mom. I mean to be a mom is hard, to be a teen mom on your own is certainly a lot harder.”
From 2006 to 2010, the rate of teen mothers for the amalgamated city of Hamilton was 4.8 per cent. That’s significantly higher than the provincial average of just 3.7 per cent. studies show that poverty, lack of education and being born to a teen mother are just some of the risk factors for teen pregnancy. Angela’s Place hopes to help young women stop this cycle.
Loretta says: “Were investing in more than one generation and she’s investing in her child, we know that if she has a job, then an education shell be able to provide for her child.”
Victoria says having her son Damian forced her to grow up and says he’s made her smarter. Her main goal now is to graduate from high school and to set Damian on a better path than the one she was on.
Angela’s Place opened in 2008 and is only open to mothers under 21-years of age. The apartments are fully furnished and the women pay for rent at a subsidized rate that is approximately 30 % of their income.
Angela’s Place helps with employment counselling, education programs, infant bonding, healthy cooking and budgeting. Staff are also on-site to support the mothers and their children. The mothers typically stay anywhere from 12 to 24 months.
