About

About - A Caring Hand Foundation

A Caring Hand Foundation for Pregnant Teens Inc. is a Nationwide non-profit 501c3 organization that uplifts and empowers your mothers regardless of race or religion. Founded in 2012, ACH is the vision of Connie Harris-Williams, a former teenage mother who has invested into the lives of pregnant teens and used her formative experience to create an organization that uplifts and empowers young mothers to make positive changes in their lives by providing personal mentoring, education guidance, financial assistance, and support group activities. We strongly believe that if you uplift and enhance the life of a teenage mother you will positively impact generations to come.


Your decision to partner with us will change a young woman’s life, her family, and her community forever.


Organization Goals
ACH has two core goals:
1. To get teenage mothers back on track to successful futures that may encompass higher education, rewarding careers, and healthy family relationships.
2. Prevent teenage pregnancy; Particularly, the alarming rise in pregnancies among females under age 16 despite overall teenage pregnancy rates being on the decline.

ACH is proud to have achieved:

  • 100% high school graduation rate.
  • Over 100 care packages to teen mothers.
  • $4,000 in college scholarships.

Purpose
The purpose of ACH is to address five primary issues that frequently deter pregnant teens from pursuing a better future for themselves and their children.

1. 50% high school dropout rate among pregnant teens.
2. Likelihood of repeat pregnancy.
3. Unknowledgeable about financial literacy.
4. Lack of family support and active participation by the father of the baby.
5. An inept ability for résumé creation, job search, and interview skills needed to generate income and achieve self-sufficiency.


Program Objectives
ACH programs emphasize personal development, goal setting, and responsible decision-making. Our core objectives and (outcome measures) for our teenage mothers are expressed in the six themes below:

  • High School Graduation/Completion (diploma, GED, and/or college enrollment)
  • No Repeat Pregnancy (prior to age 20 or prior to completion of high school)
  • Job Readiness (completion of resume writing and interviewing skill sessions)
  • Financial Literacy (completion of financial sessions, active bank account)
  • Professional Conduct (completion of etiquette and social maturity sessions)
  • Self-Sufficiency (permanent job)

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Teen Pregnancy Statistics
It is projected that each year in the United States approximately 750,000 to 850,000 teenage women ages 15 through 19, become pregnant. Despite declines in rates of teen pregnancy in the U.S., about 820,000 teens become pregnant each year. That means that 34% of teenagers have at least one pregnancy before they turn 20.

According to the new Centers for Disease Control report, only 50% of teen moms get a high school diploma by the age of 22. Girls born to teen parents are almost 33% more likely to become teen parents themselves, continuing the cycle of teen pregnancy.

According to www.teenhelp.com, “By age 30, only 1.5%of women who had pregnancies as a teenager have a college degree. Within the first year of becoming teen mothers, one-half of unmarried teen mothers goes on welfare.”*

The daughters of teen mothers are 22% more likely than their peers to become teen mothers. Sons of teenage mothers have a 13% greater chance of ending up in prison as compared to their peers.

Without access to adequate services, teen mothers may not receive prenatal care, placing the baby at increased risks of premature birth and low birth weight and subsequent health risks. With appropriate and timely interventions, many of the negative outcomes associated with teen pregnancy can be prevented. This age group is particularly problematic and a perfect time for mentoring to be effective.