In Forsyth County, around 800 teenagers become pregnant each year. Teen parents often struggle juggling school with raising a young child. One obstacle that many of them face is having adequate daycare and transportation. In recent years, the Department of Social Services provided funds to help pay for services but legislative changes now mean the DSS can no longer pay for transportation costs.
Gena Puckett, Program Director at the Work Family Resources Center, said the money from the Kate. B. Reynolds Charitable Trust will be used to help around 100 teen parents stay in school.
“When they don’t have a way because they can’t drive, they are not old enough, and they can’t afford a vehicle of their own, they don’t have a way of getting their child to childcare everyday so they can catch the bus. If she doesn’t to get the opportunity to finish her high school education, she is not going to be as likely to continue as an adult to move into a college degree or to just get a job so she can provide for her child.” said Puckett.
The working poor are also impacted by cuts in childcare transportation funding. Puckett said Work Family Resources Center hopes to partner with other agencies in the area to help address the growing need for families.
