Profile of Young Women

Age profile
 

The young women we serve at the residence are generally between the ages of 13 and 24. The average age is 17.  In certain circumstances, after an assessment, we may serve youth who are younger or older.

Risk Profile  

The profile of the young pregnant women and young mothers who access the residence of St. Mary’s Home has changed substantially over the years.  As our society has become more supportive of teen parents and has moved away from the belief that pregnant young women needed to be “hidden away”, we are finding that many young, single mothers (and fathers) can be served in the community and indeed, can be best served through community services.  This shift led St. Mary’s Home to open its Young Parent Outreach Centre in January 2002.

Certain teen-aged girls and young women who become pregnant are not able to get the care and support they need through services delivered solely in the community.  A residence is the only option for these young women and their newborn infants.   Today, the young women who need access to our residential services have more complex needs than ever before.

The key characteristic of the young women who come to the residence is that they do not have a suitable place to live during their pregnancy and in the early months of their child’s life.  They may be homeless and living on the street. They may be wards of the Children’s Aid Society and unable to receive foster care for both themselves and their infant.  

All young women coming to the residence are assessed using the Child and Adolescent Functional Assessment Scale (CAFAS).  CAFAS scores confirm the high risk profile of the young women we serve. Frequently, they require residential services due to homelessness and chaotic lifestyles.  Clearly, the risks faced by these young women also present serious risks to their newborn infants.

Many of the young women who come to us describe a history of trauma or abuse. They wrestle with serious addictions issues and mental health problems, typically with moderate to severe impairments in Moods/Emotions, Community Role Performance, Self-Harm Behaviour and in Behaviour toward Others.  Additionally, most rate high on the Sexual Behaviour Scale.

Residents also usually rate high on the School/Work subscale, as many have not been attending school or did not experience success with school attendance.  Most have been out of school for more than two years prior to arriving at our door.

Ethnic and Cultural Profile  

In some cases, the young single women who come to the residence are from visible minority groups and the aboriginal community, whose family and community have rejected them because of their pregnancy.