Family Support Center provides help for young parents

When we reported the story of the man leaving his 2-year-old son in the car during a movie, it wasn't the first time we reported on young parents making decisions about their children that have endangered their lives.

This afternoon, Eyewitness News spoke with social workers who deal specifically with the challenges young parents face.

The counselors at the Family Support Center see teenagers, or young parents in their 20s, with children every day. Their single biggest challenge, they say, is caring for that child when they'd rather do something fun.

Many young parents find their way to the Family Support Center needing help raising their children. Social workers there say many young men have grown up without fathers and don't know how to parent.

"I think a lot of parents don't understand how dependent and needy their child is. And as a result, they don't understand how to be a nurturer and protector for that child," said Paul Ricks, a licensed clinical social worker with the Family Support Center.

The center helps many single mothers attend parenting classes and have one-on-one time with their children.

"So, if I hadn't had them, their support and their friendship and stuff, I probably wouldn't have been able to make it ‘cause life's really stressful," a client named Thunder said.

Tamara, also a client at the center, said, "I'm really glad they have this course 'cause it makes you think you can be a better parent and help your child do the right things and be there for your kids when they need you."

Social workers at the Family Support Center say one of the biggest mistakes young parents make is not realizing that their children's needs and wants come before their own.

"That means that if your child needs to have care, if you child has an ear ache, you're not going to be able to go and boogie. If your child doesn't have a babysitter, you're not going to be able to go somewhere. It's just the reality," said Bonnie Peters, also a licensed clinical social worker at the center.

The Family Support Center has two locations, one in Sugar House and one in Midvale. It will soon have another in West Valley City.

If you need information about classes, programs or counseling, click the related link to the right of the story.

E-mail: cmikita@ksl.com

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