Intervention program pairs students, offers guidance for teen momsby Cindy Abole Public Relations As children and families gather to recognize moms and the country's annual celebration of Mother’s Day, a small group of young mothers will count their blessings for the help, guidance and friendships they’ve honed with some medical students at MUSC. The girls are part of the Exchange Club Center’s Parent Aides Nurturing and Developing Adolescents (PANDA) program, designed to help young, first-time teen moms develop good self-esteem, goals, and life skills, while establishing positive behaviors. This home-based, intervention program focuses on education, healthy lifestyles, child development and relationships, while trying to prevent teens from a second pregnancy. It is open to Lowcountry girls between the ages of 14 to 18. MUSC's involvement began in 2002 under the guidance of third-year medical student Nikki Hughes, former president of MUSC’s Chapter of the American Student Medical Association (AMSA). “I wanted to coordinate a community volunteer activity involving our students in a big brother/big sister role,” Hughes said. “I never dreamed that it would be so successful and fun.” Hughes heard about the Exchange Club Center’s program and met with Center Executive Director Kathleen Rodgers. Her initial idea was to enhance PANDA’s academic and career development component, establishing role models and valuable one-on-one mentoring. Both Rodgers and Hughes helped establish funding through the United Way and a three-year Duke Endowment pilot grant testing the mentoring component. By Christmas 2003, teens and AMSA students were successfully paired off after meeting with parents and PANDA parent-aides. Second-year medical student VaShondra Richmond has enjoyed her friendship with Emma, a 17-year-old teen from Pineville. She is the mother of a daughter, Emani, age 3. Shy and cautious to the program at first, Emma and Richmond soon warmed to one another and today, regard their friendship as sisterly. And like siblings, they talk on the phone about school, family and friends, even goals and aspirations. A couple of times each month, Richmond and her “sister” spend time with each other going to movies, attending community events or just hanging out. “My goal is to expose her toas many opportunities as possible,” Richmond said. “I also want to teach her that there are also responsibilities and balance when it comes to work and play.” Alternatively, Richmond and her AMSA peers interact with the teens, as individuals, mothers, and a potential patient base. ast spring, six of the original PANDA student participants went on to graduate from high school and are currently students at institutions, technical and junior colleges throughout the state. “MUSC students have been invaluable friends and mentors to these girls,” said Rodgers. “They talk about life, share experiences and ideas on a personal level. Their interaction instills new behaviors and attitudes that are positive for their self-esteem and career development. This is a real win-win situation.” Friday, May 6, 2005
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