Peggy, Crisis Pregnancy Center director, right, talks with a new mom. Completion of the eight-week program allows parents to earn points to be used in a "baby store."

FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. - An unexpected pregnancy led Rosa to face the stark reality of becoming a teenage mom.

However, she and the child's father were determined to make it work and enrolled in Earn-While-You-Learn, an OBI-supported program in Fayetteville, N.C., that teaches new mothers and fathers basic parenting skills.

The class is one of several resources offered by the AAA Crisis Pregnancy Center, which had 45 graduates last year; 35 moms, eight fathers and two grandmothers.

"While in training, we got to learn things about our new arrival that we probably would have never learned on our own," Rosa said. "The program helped us express our values and thoughts of parenting a lot easier."

The center offers free pregnancy tests, phone counseling, clothing, food and other financial support. In addition, they also provide free ultrasounds to expectant mothers.

As an incentive for attending the training course, Rosa also received gifts for her baby, such as clothes and formula.

"With our world being in such an uproar, it's always good to know there is somewhere you feel safe," Rosa said. "The instructors for the program were so helpful, down-to-earth and could relate to our parenting issues."

Completion of the eight-week program allows parents to earn points that can be used in a "baby store" for the purchase of additional items for their newborn. Typically, there are 12 students in each course.

HOW YOU CAN HELP

This microenterprise venture is one of many Operation Blessing projects touching lives around the world. You can be a part of improving the quality of life for impoverished communities by supporting these and other life-changing programs.

 

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