New Beginnings PFA

• What’s Going On In There?
• Sexually Transmitted Diseases
• About Fathers
• Donating Eggs
• Domestic Violence/Abuse
• Housing
• Safe Baby Drop Off
• Store for Single Mothers
• GED Assistance
• Childcare

If you are a young mother and have not completed high school we strongly recommend that you begin working toward obtaining a GED.  There are several reasons why this is important. First, it will help you in obtaining or maintaining a good job. Many jobs require a high school diploma or a GED, and those jobs typically pay better and provide more stability than jobs that do not have this requirement.  Furthermore, obtaining a GED will be an excellent way to start setting a good example for your child. Children learn by watching what their parents do. If you have made your own education a priority, they will follow your lead!  And finally, getting your GED will give you a sense of accomplishment. It will be something you can be proud of and mark as an important milestone in your life!  So, don’t allow yourself to make excuses or put it off for another day…..GET STARTED TODAY! We will help you.

Sign up for our FREE GED class which is held on Monday nights from 6-8pm in north central Phoenix.   Single mothers (or mothers to be) who agree to faithfully attend class can also receive a free GED book!

Please contact New Beginnings to register, or call the instructor directly  602-565-0808 (Karen)

Here are some additional resources to help get you started.

• Watch this video: “What do I need to do to pass the GED test?”

• Arizona GED testing locations and information

• Work through GED practice activities

• Take GED practice tests

If you have a question you would like us to post as a discussion topic, please email it to debi.newbeginnings@hotmail.com  We would like to hear from you!

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In the meantime, please add your comments to any of the discussions posted below.

Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are not something to take lightly. If you are between the ages of 15-24 you are in the age group that is at the highest risk for becoming infected.

Click here for information on STDs. Learn the basics and find out about testing.

For every pregnancy there is a father. Some immediately show love and support, some may deny paternity, some may act with hostility. Some may start off one way and change their tune (for better or worse) after some time has passed.  Just as all women react differently to an unplanned pregnancy, so do all men.  Often girls make the mistake of expecting their boyfriends to react a certain way without giving them time to process this life altering information. Just as you need time to process emotions and think things through, realize that he does too.

Fathers and abortion: Men often experience grief and remorse in the years following an abortion. Sometimes men who participated in, or paid for an abortion feel regret or guilt.In fact, in Steven Tyler’s recent autobiography, he discusses how an abortion that he participated in has haunted him for more than 30 yrs, Read about it here. Sometimes men find out that their child was aborted after it has occurred, and this can lead to feelings of  loss, grief or anger.  Sometimes couples who make an abortion decision together, may find that the stress following an abortion ends up destroying the relationship.

Fathers and parenting: Do not make the mistake of thinking that deciding to raise and parent your baby will “force” the father to stay with you or that it will make the relationship better.  If there is already stress or tension in a relationship, adding a child to the mix only increases the stress.  That is why it is important that decisions about parenting vs adoption are made based on reality. Regardless of whether the mother and father get married, or even stay together, the importance of fathers is undeniable.  Children raised without fathers are more likely to end up living in poverty, drop out of school and engage in risky behavior.  It is extremely important that both mother and father do all they can to ensure that they are able to cooperatively make decisions and participate in child rearing. This can be very challenging if the relationship disintegrates. But, if the best welfare of the child is made a priority, IT CAN BE DONE!  It can also be helpful for new dads, or dads-to-be to find an older man with children to help him along in this new endeavor. New dads (as well as moms) do not just automatically know what to do or how to change their lives around to become a good provider and role model for their child.

Fathers and adoption: Ideally both the birth mother and birth father can make a joint decision about adoption and about the selection of the adoptive family. This process can be a bond between the two and even strengthen their relationship. Unfortunately this is not always possible either because the father is unknown, or because the birth father wants nothing to do with the decision.   Keep in mind that birth fathers rights vary by state. Many states require that the birth father be notified or give consent before an adoption can proceed.

Getting married: If you would like information on premarital counseling click here.

If you are a college student you have likely seen ads offering to pay young women large sums of money if they donate their eggs.  While this can be a noble pursuit, there may be risks involved that the industry is not telling young women.  You can find more information about this unknown side of the egg harvesting industry at www.eggsploitation.com

Domestic violence and abuse is something that needs to be taken very seriously!  Domestic violence can sometimes increase for pregnant women. This may be because they are unwilling or feel they are unable to leave the father of their baby. Sometimes, the pregnancy itself adds stress to an already volatile environment.. with added responsibilities and added expenses etc.  It is important to remember that you absolutely should not stay in a location where you or your baby are in physical danger..UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES. Violence can escalate quickly and unexpectedly.  Murder (most often related to domestic violence) is in the top 3 causes of death for pregnant women. (one source has it listed as #3, another as the #1 cause)

Things to remember about getting out

1. Do not fool yourself into thinking that things will change.  Domestic violence almost never changes without intervention.It is better to be safe than sorry…or dead. Domestic violence accounts for more than half of female murders.  If you are in physical danger, get out!( It is absolutely possible for a man to be rehabilitated, if he is willing and gets help.. but he can get help after you are in a safe location).

2.If you are in immediate danger you should call 911

3. If things are heated and you decide to leave, do not try to pack up all of your things and leave… just get out! You can have someone go back with you to get your belongings later.  The most dangerous time for a woman in a domestic violence situation is when she is trying to leave.  Violence is likely to escalate and become more dangerous.

Websites and Phone Numbers that help victims of domestic violence

THE NATIONAL DOMESTIC VIOLENCE HOTLINE at 1-800-799-7233
THE NATIONAL SEXUAL ASSAULT HOTLINE AT 1-800-656-4673
THE NATIONAL TEEN DATING ABUSE HOTLINE AT 1-866-331-9474

Fact sheet on domestic violence during pregnancy

Arizona Department of Public Safety-domestic violence page

Domestic violence shelters, safe houses and services in AZ

“A New Leaf” domestic violence and homeless services

• Any Hospital

• Any Staffed Ambulance

• Any Staffed Fire Station

• Any Adoption Agency

• Some Churches

for more information go to www.azsbh.org