Becoming a parent brings many changes, including the options you have for emergency shelter, low cost medical care, and housing.
Here in the Twin Cities, a variety of non-profit organizations provide resources specifically for young women who are pregnant or with children.
Here’s a quick guide to the services we’ve found during outreach in the community.
Emergency Housing
- Youth shelters provide emergency housing to pregnant women under age 21.
- LSS Lifehaven provides long-term (9-12 months) housing – but the program accepts only teens age 16-17, and you’ll be required to go through their intake process first.
- Adult shelters can provide housing when you have a family and youth shelters are no longer an option.
- Family Promise, based in Anoka County, is a network of churches that work together to provide emergency shelter for families experiencing homelessness.
Baby Supplies and Prenatal Care
Low income families can get baby supplies at many food shelves , especially diapers and baby formula. Groveland Food for Youth and Prism Food Shelf are two local places that will have these items, although they’re in limited supply.
For larger items, try the Marie Sandvik Center in Minneapolis. They have a free store with ladies clothing and baby supplies, including strollers and cribs.
Pregnancy testing, prenatal care, baby supplies, and other services can be found at the following organizations:
- Seton Clinic provides low cost and free prenatal care and midwifery from Catholic Charities. Pregnancy testing, education, baby supplies, and more. Located at 1276 University Ave W., St. Paul MN 55104. Call 651-647-3153
- City Life Center offers baby supplies, classes, and referrals to other services. They’re located at 2520 Park Ave S, Minneapolis and you can call for appointments at 612-874-1808
- Birthright provides free support, supplies, referrals, and information for women facing unplanned pregnancy. They have two locations, one at 825 Nicollet Mall and another in Coon Rapids. Call 612-338-2353
- LifeCare Center offers free and confidential services such as pregnancy testing, ultrasounds and STI testing. They have locations in Minneapolis and St. Paul, including 1999 Ford Parkway. Call 651-695-0111
- New Life Family Services can assist with free pregnancy-related counseling, ultrasounds, referrals and baby items. Located at 1515 E 66th St in Richfield, and another location in Minneapolis. Call 612-866-7643
Note: some of the organizations listed above have a pro-life / anti-abortion agenda.
Your Rights As An Underage Parent
- Medical Assistance is available for most low income mothers. You automatically qualify if you’re already receiving MFIP or General Assistance.
- Paternity establishes fatherhood for legal purposes. Paternity can be established if both parents agree, or if the mother wins a paternity action in court. The father is then usually responsible for child support and/or visiting their child.
- Emancipation does not happen automatically when you have a baby. Having a child does not affect your rights in relation to your parent(s). You are not emancipated from them and cannot move out unless you have parental permission, a court order, are in the armed forces or are married. However….
- Legal and physical custody of your child is your right as a mother. You also have the right to decide the child’s name. If someone is abusing you or your child, you can file assault charges or get an Order for Protection.
If you’re struggling to make ends meet as a young pregnant mother, consider getting a social worker who can help you locate a place to live, find services or obtain baby supplies. On a more short-term basis, outreach workers can also help you locate these resources.
Photo by George Ruiz