Seventeen years ago, I was a teen mom, convinced I knew it all, yet completely reliant on outside support to navigate it all. I needed community. I needed grace. I needed friends. I needed real life things like financial support and cheap childcare.
Beyond my family, Chattanooga truly felt like a place that embraced the season I was in. I attended the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, found a fresh start with friendships that reflected my journey as a young mom, and still made time to enjoy the outdoors and savor moments of freedom.
Because of my experience, I’m often asked for resources. Here is your guide to use and share for support for teen moms, childcare, and success:
1. Education Support
- Chattanooga Girls Leadership Academy offers flexible learning environments for young women in high school.
- Tennessee Reconnect has free tuition program that can help teen moms attend community college or trade school.
- Chattanooga State and UTC can assist young moms through their financial aid office.
2. Childcare Assistance
- Child Care Certificate Program (Tennessee DHS) helps low-income parents cover childcare costs.
- Chambliss Center for Children offers affordable, extended childcare hours for working or studying parents.
- Head Start & Early Head Start has free, quality early education programs for eligible families.
3. Healthcare & Counseling
- Chattanooga-Hamilton County Health Department offers WIC (women, infants, children), prenatal support, and resources for pediatricians.
- Partnership for Families, Children and Adults has counseling services, parenting classes, and support groups.
- Healthy Families Tennessee (Signal Centers) provides in-home support and parenting education for new moms.
4. Financial & Material Support
- WIC offers food assistance, nutrition education, breastfeeding support.
- Catholic Charities of East Tennessee has parenting classes, baby supplies, and emergency assistance.
- The Bethlehem Center provides family resources and community programs.
- Choices Chattanooga offers parenting classes, baby supplies, medical and non medical support
5. Parenting & Life Skills Classes
- Signal Centers – Baby University has parenting workshops and home visits.
- Choices is a no-cost parenting education and mentorship program.
6. Community & Peer Support
- Chattanooga Young Lives supports with mentorship and community for teen moms.
- BraveLove Chattanooga has mentorship and groups for young moms who chose adoption.
- MOMentum gives support for teen moms in college.
Becoming a teen mom once felt like the end of my dreams, but looking back, it was the beginning of many great things. You will be blessed when you support teen moms, volunteer at groups, offer financial and resource assistance, and overall be an encouragement in the community.
