WEST OAK LANE — It might be called a support system or perhaps a lifeline for girls and young women in need. But however it is defined, YoungLives West Oak Lane is making inroads in the community by assisting teenage mothers who find themselves raising children, often in difficult circumstances.
The group was launched last year as part of YoungLives Delaware Valley, a nonprofit Christian organization that, since 2004, has provided support to young mothers in three other communities in Philadelphia (Olney, North Broad Street and Kensington) and an additional six outside the city (Norristown, West Chester, Chester, Coatesville, Phoenixville and Sharon Hill).
The organization is an offshoot of Young Life, which has offered support and mentorship to teenagers since 1941.
Pam Canty oversees the program in West Oak Lane. She has a team of approximately 10 working with her and the teens. Canty, who has a degree in social work and Bible from Cairn University in Bucks County, leads the women’s ministry at the Great Commission Church on Eastburn Avenue in Germantown, where YoungLives meets on the third Thursday of each month.
Canty said the YoungLives effort fills a need in the community. [Read More...]
