About the Organization :: Young Mothers Educational Development (Y-MED)

Y-MED (Young Mothers Educational Development) is a non-profit organization that serves as a liaison between teenage mothers, their families and their schools and offers the young mothers a means to complete their school or diploma programs. Housed in the McDowell Adult Education Center in Columbus, YMED provides free or at-nominal-cost pre-natal, parenting and family relation classes and a licensed day-care. Below in this page is a detailed profile of Y-MED.

Y-MED Profile

Mission Statement

Y-MED believes the community has a responsibility to provide for the special and educational needs of pregnant adolescents and young parents. Therefore, Y-MED serves pregnant adolescents, young parents and their children by providing education, counseling, child care and other significant support services to complete a high school education.

Profile

Y-MED is headquartered in the McDowell Adult Education Center, where most of the participants attend school, although outreach services are extended to BCSC (Bartholomew Consolidated School Corporation) students who choose to remain in their home schools. Those attending McDowell have access to a comprehensive pre-natal class as well as classes in child development and family relations, all of which target the teen parent. Milk, juice, and nutritious snacks are provided, as well as BCSC bus transportation for those who have no other means of traveling to and from school. The smaller campus and class sizes allow more personalized interaction between students and a staff of dedicated teachers and other professionals who understand the needs of the young person who is balancing parenthood, school, and possibly a job.

Y-MED works closely with Bartholomew Consolidated Schools to provide for teen parents. Although the agency was originally intended for young mothers, services have evolved although the name has not-young fathers now may choose to participate in the program as well.

Y-MED's licensed day care joins Children Inc. and Head Start in the Columbus Child Care Center, about three blocks from McDowell. A staff of trained professionals provides quality child care to infants between the ages of three weeks and twenty-four months while the parents are in class. In addition to nurturing the 30+ babies enrolled each year, the nursery director and teachers provide support, guidance, and empathy for the parents.

Y-MED Partners

Collaboration with other community agencies strengthens Y-MED's effectiveness and provides opportunities for referrals to more specialized programs. Among those with which Y-MED enjoys a working relationship are the BCSC, Children Inc., Step Ahead Council, WIC, Hoosier Healthwise, Office of Family and Children, Family Services, Pregnancy Care Center, Partners in Pregnancy, Health Department, and Sans Souci.

Y-MED Funding

As are most non-profit agencies, Y-MED is continually seeking ways to finance its programs. Funding sources include the Irwin-Sweeney-Miller Foundation, United Way of Bartholomew County, the Jolie Crider Outreach Fund, Child Care Development Fund, Child Care and Adult Food Program, March of Dimes, various community churches and civic groups, friends of Y-MED, and Medicaid.

Bartholomew Consolidated School Corporation provides office space, telephone service, internet and email access, the classroom teacher, bus transportation, and general usage of McDowell equipment. Y-MED also conducts several fund raisers, including bake sales, the Holiday Gift Market, an Ethnic Expo booth, flower and gift sales, Elsbury's gift certificates, and Elder-Beerman Community Days.

For more information on how you could donate to Y-MED, please see the page on volunteering and donating.

Y-MED People

Staff Members

Y-MED is staffed by an executive director, a nursery director, nursing staff and a counselor. Y-MED also receives help from several volunteers. For more information on how you can help Y-MED, please see the page on volunteering and donating.

• Connie Whitley, Executive Director
• Debbie Phillips, Nursery Director
• Kathy McCaa, Health Nurse
• Judy Davis, Licensed Mental Health Counselor
• Kristy Carothers, Secretary
• Cheryl Trimpe, Nursery Teacher
• Janet Thayer, Nursery Teacher
• Julia Apple, Nursery Teacher
• Lori Hawk, Nursery Teacher

Board of Directors

The Y-MED board is comprised of dedicated citizens of the community who volunteer their time and talents. A typical term is three years, with most members serving two terms, although some choose to remain longer. A cross-section of the population is desirable, including representatives from the medical, legal, and financial professions; schools, and various occupations. Ideally at least two former Y-MED students serve; currently the board even boasts a former Y-MED baby.

• Carol Dingledy, President
• Carol Cummins, Vice President
• Rose Ann Day, Vice President
• Joni Hurt, Treasurer
• Rachel J. Quisenberry,Secretary
• Michael Hahn
• Marcus Hurley
• Corinne Maple
• Dawn Palmer
• Estelle Baugher
• C. R. Karyekar
• Joan Chelton
• Marcus Hurley
• Sandy Nelson
• Charlotte Moss
• Connie Whitley

Y-MED History

Begun in 1972 by caring teachers and concerned members of the community when an unplanned pregnancy meant expulsion from school for the mother, Y-MED has continued to expand with the expectations of society. Irwin-Sweeney-Miller Foundation furnished seed money to launch Y-MED and have continued to support the program through the years. The early days provided a means by which the mother could complete her education outside of the traditional high school. At that time Y-MED existed in various buildings, such as the Girls' Club and First Presbyterian Church, before finally connecting with what was then Day Adult Education at Bakalar Field. Later both programs moved to McDowell School, where the adult education program became McDowell Adult Education Center.

Over the years Y-MED has served more than 1000 students. Recent enrollments have averaged between 70 and 90 young parents during the school year. Although no longer expelled for pregnancy, these parents have found the support, education, and day care vital to their pursuit of a diploma or GED.