I am so excited to tell you about a program administered through Tulsa Neighborhood Networks and Contact Church of Christ. TNN is giving women an opportunity to "earn" materials to use during pregnancy and the first years of their child's life. This program, Earn While you Learn, allows for a woman to work one-on-one with a parenting instructor who will help her understand what to expect during pregnancy and after giving birth. The goal of this program is to build a relationship with each woman while teaching practical information that will help these women become healthy parents and make good and wise choices for themselves and their children. The women meet with their instructor once every one to two weeks. At these meetings a curriculum is followed which includes videotapes, written lessons, and homework. Some of the classes contained in this curriculum include prenatal care, fetal development, bonding with your baby, the importance of touch, newborn care, and good parent-child relationship. The women earn points by attending the class, completing the homework, attending church, etc. This requires some responsibility and accountability on the part off the women. With these points, she can purchase baby furniture, baby and maternity clothes, toys, diapers, formula, and other needed items from our area at Contact Church of Christ. We have several young women participating in the Earn While you Learn program at this time. Three have recently given birth and have "earned" their cribs and other necessities through this program. Two are now attending church regularly and are developing relationships with some strong Christian women.
We are always in need of new or gently used items that the woman can earn for themselves and their babies. We also want to begin a new curriculum that would allow us to continue working with these young women after their children are over 2 years old. We need to continue raising funds to purchase the curriculum, as well as acquire the incentives for mothers of children of this age group. We always are in need of new or gently used baby furniture, baby clothes, toys, book, purchases of diapers and formula. We always appreciate help with the purchasing of these as well. If you have any usable items or could help with the funding necessary to help this program reach out to more young women, please contact Mary at 918 447 1130
Program offers aid to new mothers By Jeff Postelwait World Staff Writer 8/23/2006
Tianna Glass was six months pregnant, alone and scared. She had no car, no phone, no job and little money. One day, she noticed a piece of paper stuck to her door with the contact information of some people who might be able to help. Glass said the help she got was more than she expected. Tulsa Neighborhood Networks' new moms ministry is a faith-based, nonprofit organization administered through Contact Church of Christ, 1529 W. 49th St.The program's efforts are bolstered through the involvement of congregations throughout south Tulsa.
Mary Lasarsky, the program's director, said the ministry is about "earning and learning.""We allow moms to earn baby supplies," Lasarsky said. "I'll come to the houses every week and work one-on-one with them."Mothers earn points for watching parenting videos, reading about infant care and going to church. The curriculum covers childcare from pregnancy through 18 months, Lasarsky said.Glass said while she knew little about parenting before entering the program, she now considers herself "a veteran." "I was alone and trying to get a job," Glass said."They went through some drastic
measures so that I could work." In addition to providing supplies for her daughter, Mariah, the church helped Glass through the delivery, provided babysitting when needed and made sure Mariah had the best possible environment in which to grow, Glass said. "Mary is always there -- you can call her anytime," she said. "You can call her at 10 or 11 (p.m.), and she says, 'Hi, what do you need?'"
Church members threw Glass a baby shower."My entire living room was filled with presents. I had to mail out like 34 thank-you cards," she said. "About half the stuff in Mariah's room came from the program." Today, Mariah is 8 months old and has a place to sleep and plenty to eat. Glass herself is enrolled in medical assistant training at Tulsa Technology Center. She said none of this could have happened without the help of Lasarsky and her friends at the church. "It went by so fast," Glass said. "I'd hate to see what would have happened if they'd never gotten involved." Lasarsky said she was proud of Glass' efforts, adding that it was hard work rather than charity that helped her improve her life. "Tianna has worked very hard to get to where she is today," she said. "She's earned all of it."
For more information about the ministry to new moms or to make a donation, contact Tulsa Neighborhood Networks at 447-1130. Urgent needs include cribs, baby swings and walkers.
