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Shelley Osterloh Reporting Utah's teen pregnancy rates may be lower than the national average, but for the first time, Utah's only licensed home for teen mothers is full, with a long waiting list to get in.
Marlene, Teen Mother: "He keeps me alive. He's the reason I get up every morning, wanting to do something with my life."
Marlene says she wants to be a good mother to 11-month old Donnoven. Her own childhood was tough. She was sexually abused by her father and when she reported him to police, he dissappeared and her mother blamed her.
Marlene: "I reported my dad, so after that, my mom no longer, she never believed me so she basically disowned me when I was 14."
She was homeless and living on the streets for two years, when she got pregnant and came to the YWCA teen home.
Marlene: "They gave me a home. I've never called any place home, but the teen home."
She says the YWCA Teen home helped her get back in school, taught her how to be a good parent, and helped her find a job.
More than 90% of the residents at the teen home are children of mothers who themselves were teen mothers. Seventy percent report being victims of domestic violence. and 61% are victims of sexual abuse or rape.
The YWCA started the teen home in 1982 after a pregnant teenager came tot he shelter trying to escape domestic violence. She was forced to go home and was killed by her abuser. Since then, more than 250 young women have come through the teen home."
"Maybe it's that we make them feel at home. Maybe it's that we teach them some really wonderful skills. I'm not sure, but this seems to work for a lot of the girls."
Marlene says she learned a new way of looking at life and herself.
Marlene: "Successful, I want to go to college. My ultimate goal is to get a Master's in social work and someday work with kids who are in state's custody."
