Today the Honourable Krista Lynn Howell, Minister of Education announced $260,500 to the Momma Moments program at Choices for Youth. Minister Howell made the announcement at Choices for Youth’s Outreach and Youth Engagement Centre, and was joined by Jen Crowe, Executive Director at Choices for Youth.
The Provincial Government is allocating one-time funding of $260,500 to the Momma Moments program, which provides peer-to-peer and wrap-around supports to young moms and their children. As Canada’s first well-being province, this funding will support the organization with operational costs for programming, including programming materials and staffing resources.
Last year, Momma Moments and family programming at Choices for Youth provided support to 122 moms and 126 children, respectively. The program meets young mothers where they are, supporting their well-being by providing them with a continuum of care and helping them access pre-natal and post-natal health services for mom and child. Additional programming is provided to foster a positive support network and reduce social isolation. Programs like these, that focus on supporting parents and creating an inclusive community, help children have the best possible start in early life, setting them up for life-long success and well-being.
The Provincial Government has allocated more than $4.6 million to Choices for Youth for the 2024-25 fiscal year across a variety of departments. The Department of Education’s Early Learning, Inclusion and Child Development branch facilitates the growth and stability of programs that foster healthy child development. Parents are a child’s first teacher and they play an important role in their child’s learning and development.
Quotes
“Our government is pleased to provide $260,500 to Momma Moments, which provides mental, physical, and social supports for both moms and children in the program. Early years are foundational to a child’s positive growth and success. By supporting the early years of children, we are supporting the future of Newfoundland and Labrador.”
Honourable Krista Lynn Howell
Minister of Education
“The Momma Moments program breaks the cycle of poverty and homelessness for over 120 young mothers and their children annually while helping young moms achieve their goals of education and employment. Through connection to housing, primary care, mental health supports, and other wrap-around services, this program had proven outcomes of increasing high school graduation rates, decreasing emergency healthcare utilization, and improving housing stability. We are incredibly grateful for the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador’s investment in this impactful and innovative program which is transforming the lives of hundreds of children and youth every year.”
Jen Crowe, Executive Director
Choices for Youth
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Learn more
Early Childhood Learning – Your Developing Child
Choices for Youth’s Momma Moments Program
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