Slideshow that is an accompaniment to my Senior Project. The goal is to find both an academic curriculum and a support network curriculum that keeps teenage parents in school.

1. The Invisible 22%The Invisible 22%

3. Academic & Social Support forAcademic & Social Support for
Pregnant & Parenting TeensPregnant & Parenting Teens
 Teen Births in IllinoisTeen Births in Illinois
• Peoria CountyPeoria County
 13.3%13.3%
• Tazewell CountyTazewell County
 8.8%8.8%
 Teen Births in the U.S.Teen Births in the U.S.
• 41.9 births per 1000 teens41.9 births per 1000 teens

4. Possible ResourcesPossible Resources

5. Real StoryReal Story
• Well, I just want to tell my story of how I got pregnant and how I live my life today.Well, I just want to tell my story of how I got pregnant and how I live my life today.
When I was 13 years old I meat this guy. He was much older than me, and at first IWhen I was 13 years old I meat this guy. He was much older than me, and at first I
didn't like him, but as time passed by I kind of "fell in love" with him. He was aboutdidn't like him, but as time passed by I kind of "fell in love" with him. He was about
27 and I was 13. I know what you're thinking - what the heck is a thirteen-year-old27 and I was 13. I know what you're thinking - what the heck is a thirteen-year-old
girl doing with a 27-year-old guy? I was probably desperate to runaway from mygirl doing with a 27-year-old guy? I was probably desperate to runaway from my
problems at home, and I didn't know I was getting into a deeper problem. My familyproblems at home, and I didn't know I was getting into a deeper problem. My family
was O.K. with the relationship, and we were about to get married (with the consentwas O.K. with the relationship, and we were about to get married (with the consent
of my mother of course) when I had a problem with my new step-dad. I couldn'tof my mother of course) when I had a problem with my new step-dad. I couldn't
stand him. My boyfriend proposed to run away. We were still going to get married,stand him. My boyfriend proposed to run away. We were still going to get married,
or at least that's what he said. So one day, I ran away with him. We had theor at least that's what he said. So one day, I ran away with him. We had the
apartment and all the basic necessities. After like two months I became pregnant, atapartment and all the basic necessities. After like two months I became pregnant, at
the age of thirteen years old. I wasn't even finished 7th grade! I decided to have mythe age of thirteen years old. I wasn't even finished 7th grade! I decided to have my
baby. (Don't ask me why. I don't know.) He ended up cheating on me. I spent sixbaby. (Don't ask me why. I don't know.) He ended up cheating on me. I spent six
and a half years with this person until I finally decided to end my relationship. Iand a half years with this person until I finally decided to end my relationship. I
went to school pregnant. All the looks I got, all the comments I received, reallywent to school pregnant. All the looks I got, all the comments I received, really
affected my life. But I finished junior high and I was on my way to high school.affected my life. But I finished junior high and I was on my way to high school.
While my friends were thinking on going out to the movies, I had to think aboutWhile my friends were thinking on going out to the movies, I had to think about
making dinner and changing diapers. It was hard, but I did it. I didn't give up. I hadmaking dinner and changing diapers. It was hard, but I did it. I didn't give up. I had
to wake up at six a.m. to change the baby, dress up, and go to school. I had to be atto wake up at six a.m. to change the baby, dress up, and go to school. I had to be at
the bus stop by seven to be in school at 8:15 a.m. (They had childcare in the school,the bus stop by seven to be in school at 8:15 a.m. (They had childcare in the school,
but only if you maintained a good academic grade.) I had to go through childcare,but only if you maintained a good academic grade.) I had to go through childcare,
homework, uniforms, and all the rest of that stuff. I was a full-time student andhomework, uniforms, and all the rest of that stuff. I was a full-time student and
worked part-time, and still had to come home and take care of my son. I graduatedworked part-time, and still had to come home and take care of my son. I graduated
high school with the Class of 1998 with all my friends. I'm currently a collegehigh school with the Class of 1998 with all my friends. I'm currently a college
student in California, working toward my accounting degree, and I'm also workingstudent in California, working toward my accounting degree, and I'm also working
full time for a law firm. I just turned twenty and I have a five-year-old boy thatfull time for a law firm. I just turned twenty and I have a five-year-old boy that
waits for me to get home and give me a kiss, and say "I love you mommy." Mywaits for me to get home and give me a kiss, and say "I love you mommy." My
message to all the teens out there is to never give up, you can make it. Hang on - lifemessage to all the teens out there is to never give up, you can make it. Hang on - life
is hard, but in the long run, it's worth it. Good luck!is hard, but in the long run, it's worth it. Good luck!

6. Teen MomsTeen Moms

7. Pregnant CheerleaderPregnant Cheerleader
 well i was always the good girl. I never did drugs or drank. In my junior year of high school i even made my schoolswell i was always the good girl. I never did drugs or drank. In my junior year of high school i even made my schools
cheer squad.And i was with my boyfriend of 4 years.i was so happy i thought i had everything.cheer squad.And i was with my boyfriend of 4 years.i was so happy i thought i had everything.
in october 2007 we had sex after his schools dance and we thought nothing will happen cause we almost never usedin october 2007 we had sex after his schools dance and we thought nothing will happen cause we almost never used
protection and nothing ever happened. later that month we had broken up. then suddenly at cheer practice i startedprotection and nothing ever happened. later that month we had broken up. then suddenly at cheer practice i started
feeling sick and one of my friends took me to the bathroom and i started vomiting. I thought i was just tired.And i feltfeeling sick and one of my friends took me to the bathroom and i started vomiting. I thought i was just tired.And i felt
really sick again at a football game while i was cheering.really sick again at a football game while i was cheering.
I started thinking oh my god i think im pregnant. i asked one fo my friends to get me a home test. and i did two ofI started thinking oh my god i think im pregnant. i asked one fo my friends to get me a home test. and i did two of
them and they both came out positive.i was in shock so i decide to tell my ex and he thought i was lying to him so ithem and they both came out positive.i was in shock so i decide to tell my ex and he thought i was lying to him so i
could i get get back with him.so one day we had an appointment and he came with me . he then tells me that he wantscould i get get back with him.so one day we had an appointment and he came with me . he then tells me that he wants
to be in that babys life and he wants to get back with me.but the thing was he had an other girlfriend. so later that dayto be in that babys life and he wants to get back with me.but the thing was he had an other girlfriend. so later that day
when the clinics test confirmed that i was really pregnant he broke up with his other girlfriend.when the clinics test confirmed that i was really pregnant he broke up with his other girlfriend.
months go by and everything is going fine hes supporting me and we finally told my mom. at first she was mad butmonths go by and everything is going fine hes supporting me and we finally told my mom. at first she was mad but
now she accepts it. and right now im currently 31 weeks and i'm having a baby boy.but recently my boyfriend is actingnow she accepts it. and right now im currently 31 weeks and i'm having a baby boy.but recently my boyfriend is acting
really different . he rather be with his friends and when we do talk on the phone its like he doesnt care and its like ireally different . he rather be with his friends and when we do talk on the phone its like he doesnt care and its like i
have to force him to talk to me. and im really tired of it and he complains about how im annoying and basically tellshave to force him to talk to me. and im really tired of it and he complains about how im annoying and basically tells
that hes tired of me.that hes tired of me.
so i dont know wat to do should i leave him after 4 years and pregnant with his son or stay with him but when hes notso i dont know wat to do should i leave him after 4 years and pregnant with his son or stay with him but when hes not
even happy with me. im really afraid to do everything on my own. i thought he was going to be there with me. so i donteven happy with me. im really afraid to do everything on my own. i thought he was going to be there with me. so i dont
know wat to do. all i want is my son and im impatiently waiting 2 months for him to come already. even though someknow wat to do. all i want is my son and im impatiently waiting 2 months for him to come already. even though some
people stopped talking to me and even my cheer squad act like they dont know me. so i guess i have to put my headpeople stopped talking to me and even my cheer squad act like they dont know me. so i guess i have to put my head
up.up.
GabyGaby
 http://www.pregnancystories.net/single_moms/http://www.pregnancystories.net/single_moms/

8. You Cannot Now But Be AfraidYou Cannot Now But Be Afraid
 You cannot now but be afraidYou cannot now but be afraid
Of all that you might lose,Of all that you might lose,
And curse the granite circumstanceAnd curse the granite circumstance
That forces you to choose.That forces you to choose. You are too young, a child yourself,You are too young, a child yourself,
As I am, too, and yetAs I am, too, and yet
There is a child between us, whomThere is a child between us, whom
We cannot just forget.We cannot just forget.
 This child - our child - has no one elseThis child - our child - has no one else
To be its only father.To be its only father.
Others may be guardians,Others may be guardians,
But you can be no other.But you can be no other. This fact will not relent, though batteredThis fact will not relent, though battered
Hard by bitter tears.Hard by bitter tears.
Time moves only forward asTime moves only forward as
Our yearnings turn to years.Our yearnings turn to years. And everything we've wanted turnsAnd everything we've wanted turns
To what we must accept,To what we must accept,
And what we'd least relinquish comesAnd what we'd least relinquish comes
From what we most regret.From what we most regret. I do not ask to live with youI do not ask to live with you
Or ever be your wife;Or ever be your wife;
Only that you share the giftOnly that you share the gift
And burden of a lifeAnd burden of a life That waits upon your willing loveThat waits upon your willing love
To greet its upturned faceTo greet its upturned face
That it might twist your heart with joyThat it might twist your heart with joy
And unimagined grace.And unimagined grace.
 http://www.poemsforfree.com/youcan.htmlhttp://www.poemsforfree.com/youcan.html

9. Teen DadsTeen Dads

10. Abortion ?Abortion ?
 im 15 and still in high school. around febuary 2008 i met a guy. luis. he was just supposed toim 15 and still in high school. around febuary 2008 i met a guy. luis. he was just supposed to
be a rebound. so i thought. i ended up getting pregnant, and he ended up not really carinq. hebe a rebound. so i thought. i ended up getting pregnant, and he ended up not really carinq. he
told me to get an abortion cause he wouldent be around. i broke into tears, cause secretly i feeltold me to get an abortion cause he wouldent be around. i broke into tears, cause secretly i feel
in love with him. i told my parents i was pregnant my dad tried to hit me, than he called me ain love with him. i told my parents i was pregnant my dad tried to hit me, than he called me a
slut and told me to leave the house. my step mom called me dumb. the only person i had in myslut and told me to leave the house. my step mom called me dumb. the only person i had in my
life was my ex, and he knew i was pregnant by another man and he told me he wanted to takelife was my ex, and he knew i was pregnant by another man and he told me he wanted to take
full responsibillity for me and the baby. i told my dad i needed a plane ticket and that he'dfull responsibillity for me and the baby. i told my dad i needed a plane ticket and that he'd
never have to see me again. he told me to get in tthe car. we drove for hours. and finallynever have to see me again. he told me to get in tthe car. we drove for hours. and finally
stopped at a clinic in miami downtown. we stepped inside and he told the lady at the frontstopped at a clinic in miami downtown. we stepped inside and he told the lady at the front
desk we were there for an abortion. i paniced not knowinq what to do. i went through thedesk we were there for an abortion. i paniced not knowinq what to do. i went through the
abortion. and my ex boyfreind alex? he ended up leaving me. so now i'm on deppresion pillsabortion. and my ex boyfreind alex? he ended up leaving me. so now i'm on deppresion pills
and spend most days smoking pot and crying. if i could go back in time i'd stop myself fromand spend most days smoking pot and crying. if i could go back in time i'd stop myself from
getting the abortion just to please my dad. even after i got the abortion, he treats me like shit. igetting the abortion just to please my dad. even after i got the abortion, he treats me like shit. i
wake up everday thinking about my unborn child that i killed, than i wish death upon myself.wake up everday thinking about my unborn child that i killed, than i wish death upon myself.
JaelJael
 http://www.pregnancystories.net/single_moms/index1.htmlhttp://www.pregnancystories.net/single_moms/index1.html

11. Babies of Teen ParentsBabies of Teen Parents

12. Mother of 4 and 19 years oldMother of 4 and 19 years old
 I had known my children's father for 10 years before I got pregnant. When I had both of myI had known my children's father for 10 years before I got pregnant. When I had both of my
children, Gabriel (2-9-05) and Alyssa (1-15-06), I finally realized he never really loved me, muchchildren, Gabriel (2-9-05) and Alyssa (1-15-06), I finally realized he never really loved me, much
less, like me. He used to hit me while I was pregnant and while I was holding my son. When heless, like me. He used to hit me while I was pregnant and while I was holding my son. When he
finally left me, it was because he had gotten another girl pregnant, I never thought I would find afinally left me, it was because he had gotten another girl pregnant, I never thought I would find a
man who would love me and my children, like this man SHOULD HAVE!!!man who would love me and my children, like this man SHOULD HAVE!!!
But I am very lucky. I had my son at 15 and my daughter 11 months later at 16. I did finish school,But I am very lucky. I had my son at 15 and my daughter 11 months later at 16. I did finish school,
I felt like I had to throw something in everyones face. But that wasn't good enough.I felt like I had to throw something in everyones face. But that wasn't good enough.
I am now 19 years old with two beautiful children. I did graduate high school and I am now in myI am now 19 years old with two beautiful children. I did graduate high school and I am now in my
2nd semester of college. I am very happily married to a man that I never thought I could love,2nd semester of college. I am very happily married to a man that I never thought I could love,
named David. He isn't my children's biological father, but he is definitely their REAL father. He lovesnamed David. He isn't my children's biological father, but he is definitely their REAL father. He loves
them as if they were his own. We recently got married on January 25, 2008.them as if they were his own. We recently got married on January 25, 2008.
Everyone always told me that I would ruin my live, and I know and believe that having children,Everyone always told me that I would ruin my live, and I know and believe that having children,
saved my life. I am the happiest woman alive, and that is what I throw in everyones face. TAKEsaved my life. I am the happiest woman alive, and that is what I throw in everyones face. TAKE
THAT EDWIN!!! I'm finally happy and you can't bring me down!!! HA!!!THAT EDWIN!!! I'm finally happy and you can't bring me down!!! HA!!!
Princess Reyes-HawkinsPrincess Reyes-Hawkins
 http://www.pregnancystories.net/single_moms/index2.htmlhttp://www.pregnancystories.net/single_moms/index2.html