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Northern Valley nonprofit helps young mothers in need
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Martin S. Fuentes/View
From left, Amber, 18, shares a laugh with Monique Harris, founder and executive director of Southern Nevada Children First, 720 W. Cheyenne Ave., Suite 30. The nonprofit aids homeless pregnant or parenting young mothers. Amber is seven months pregnant and now has a home and a job as a receptionist for the program that helped her.
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Monique Harris, left, founder and executive director of Southern Nevada Children First, speaks to Amber, 18, of Las Vegas, about the daily agenda inside the organization's office in North Las Vegas. Harris said the organization helps about 120 women a year. Martin S. Fuentes/View
VIEW STAFF WRITER
Updated: Feb. 7, 2012 | 10:57 a.m.
Amber used look at the calendar to March 13, 2012, and be filled with worry.
Pregnant, single and homeless, the 18-year-old's heart was as heavy as her decision whether to keep her son.
Thanks to North Las Vegas-based Southern Nevada Children First, the baby's due date is something to which Amber -- who asked that her last name be withheld -- looks forward.
"I can do it now," she said.
Seven months ago, Amber was like many of the young women the nonprofit assists. She didn't have family support, and her relationship with the baby's father had soured. She was homeless, jobless and without answers.
Through a referral, she located Southern Nevada Children First, 720 W. Cheyenne Ave., Suite 30, and, thanks to it, has shelter, prenatal care and work as its front desk receptionist.
"I have confidence one day I'll be completely on my own," she said.
Amber is en route to a success story, and that's how the organization's executive director, Monique Harris, likes it.
Harris started her program in 2007 to assist, mentor, educate and train homeless, pregnant and parenting youth. Harris, who holds degrees in social work, linked with a now-defunct nonprofit trying to abolish a reputation that "girls were too hard to work with."
"They said they were prostituting or couldn't leave their pimps or 'boyfriends' or had children," she said.
The nonprofit had housed nine at-risk young mothers, but their needs were starting to outweigh their means.
"It felt like we were putting a Band-Aid on a hemorrhage," she said.
Harris took over and downsized to helping three homeless girls first. She funded a rental house for them and started Southern Nevada Children First in its garage.
From four volunteers and Harris at the helm, the program has grown to 13 full-time staffers, seven rental homes and a plethora of services and programs available to clients. The organization's North Las Vegas offices are ground zero for the young people.
Social workers help plan and execute the three-pronged needs of many of them. Transitional housing, life skills and psycho-social rehabilitation are the concerns Southern Nevada Children First address most.
"We were running into women who knew they had something wrong mentally, but they didn't know what," Harris said.
A year-long curriculum plan is outlined and catered to each situation, she added.
Some cases -- such as the now self-sufficient mother who had four children by age 20 and no support system -- are complex, while others aren't.
Harris cited a young mother who lacked basic hygiene. Her hair was ratted and had bald spots, she said.
The organization purchased her a wig, and Harris offered the girl "Weave 101" lessons, she said.
"I told her, 'You have to brush it two to three times a day,' " she said.
In the girl's next visits, her hair was polished, and Harris even caught her making extra passes with her brush at the door.
"They try to live up to our expectations," she said. "They want someone to be proud of them."
Success stories are heralded on the "Victory Board" in the organization's office. Snapshots of smiling babies and their mothers fill another wall. The computer lab bustles with activity, and children toddle around while their mothers visit with former caseworkers, now friends.
About 120 women receive assistance each year, and Harris said many keep in touch.
Harris said the bad economy brought more young women through Southern Nevada Children First's doors. Monetary donations are always needed, Harris said. She also welcomes professionals to donate their time as mentors for the clients.
"When you pull together, you can make an impact," Harris said.
Harris' resolution for the organization this year is to stay the course on her philosophy.
"One's past does not dictate their future," she said. "All kids deserve an opportunity for a decent quality of life. This staff is dedicated to providing that opportunity."
For more information, visit childrenfirst-nv.org or call 487-5665.
Contact Centennial and North Las Vegas View reporter Maggie Lillis at mlillis@viewnews.com or 477-3839.
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