AS POSSIBLE TO GET THE THREE NAMES BEFORE THE DEADLINE OF JULY 14 BUT WE LOOK FORWARD TO HEARING MORE FROM ME ON MONDAY.

THANKS AGAIN FOR JOINING US.

>> THANK YOU.

>>> FIRST-TIME MOTHERHOOD COMES WITH A LOT OF JOY, BUT IT ALSO COMES WITH A LOT OF WORK.

FOR YOUNG MOMS, RAISING A BABY WHILE STILL GROWING UP THEMSELVES IS ALL THE MORE CHALLENGING.

FOR 40 YEARS, SAINT VISITS PROJECT HOPE PROGRAM HAVE COMBINED PRENATAL SUPPORT AND PARENTING CLASSES HELP LIFT UP YOUNG MOTHERS ON THE WEST SIDE.

THEY SAY IT'S AN APPROACH THAT SAVES LIVES.

>> WHERE IS PUMPKIN?

HERE I AM.

>> Reporter: AS PROGRAM MANAGER AT ST. FRANCIS FAMILY SERVICES IN EAST GARFIELD PARK, LOWRIDER PLAYS A LOT OF ROLES.

BUT SHE SAYS THE MOST IMPORTANT ROLE IS CHIEF CHEERLEADER.

>> I THINK PEOPLE WOULD BE SURPRISED TO KNOW ABOUT THE RESILIENCY OF THE YOUNGER MOMS.

HOW THEY DO LEARN TO BE GOOD MOTHERS, LEARN TO TAKE VERY GOOD CARE OF THE CHILDREN.

HELPING THEM WITH THEIR EDUCATION.

>> Reporter: THE MOMS AND BABIES ARE PARTICIPANTS IN PROJECT HOPE, A PROGRAM THAT SUPPORTS YOUNG OTHERS THROUGH THEIR PREGNANCIES AND BEYOND.

THE PRENATAL SUPPORT COMES FROM TULIPS, WHO WAS A BIG PART OF THE JOB IS HELPING YOUNG MOMS USE THEIR VOICES.

>> OUR PARTICIPANTS ARE YOUNGER.

THEY ARE HESITANT IN SPEAKING UP FOR THEMSELVES.

OR THEY DON'T KNOW WHAT TO SAY, OR THEY ARE JUST SCARED.

AND SO, WE ENCOURAGE THEM TO SPEAK.

WE TEACH THEM THROUGH THE PRENATAL CLASS.

WE ALSO FILL OUT A BIRTHING PLAN, HOW THEY WANT THE BIRTH TO HAPPEN, HOW THEY WANT THE LABOR AND DELIVERY TO GO.

ONCE THEY HAVE THE BABY, THEY HAVE TO TELL THEIR STORIES, THE BEGINNING TO THE END OF LABOR AND DELIVERY.

WHEN THEY WRITE IT OUT AND THINK ABOUT WHAT THEY WROTE , THEY SAY, OH MY GOD.

I DID ALL OF THIS?

YES, YOU DID.

>> Reporter: ONCE THE BABIES ARRIVED, THE CARE CONTINUES THROUGH REGULAR PARENTING CLASSES AND PEER SUPPORT GROUPS.

>> THEY LEARN THINGS LIKE HOW TO INTERACT WITH THEIR CHILD ACCORDING TO THEIR AGE, PROPER NUTRITION IS ANOTHER THING WE FOCUS ON, HOW TO READ TO YOUR CHILD, HOW TO CHOOSE APPROPRIATE BOOKS, HOW TO USE AGE-APPROPRIATE DISCIPLINE.

WE ALSO WORK WITH THE MOTHERS TO HELP THEM WITH COPING SKILLS.

THINGS THEY NEED TO SURVIVE IN THE COMMUNITY ON THEIR OWN, AND TO BE ABLE TO SUPPORT THEIR FAMILIES.

>> Reporter: THEY SAY THAT OVER THE YEARS, PROJECT HOPE TO SEE MANY BIG SUCCESS STORIES.

BUT IT IS THE LITTLE ONES THAT MEAN THE MOST.

>> HAD A MOM WHO WAS HOMELESS, AND SHE WAS ABLE TO GET AN APARTMENT.

SHE WAS ABLE TO GET HER GED.

SHE HAS TWO BEAUTIFUL YOUNG GIRLS .

WHEN SHE CAME AND TOLD US ABOUT THIS SUCCESS, SHE WAS SO EXCITED.

WE ARE VERY FORTUNATE WE HAVEN'T LOST ANY MOMS IN CHILDBIRTH IN 40 YEARS.

WE HAVEN'T LOST A CHILD EITHER IN CHILDBIRTH.

THAT SAYS A LOT.

A NEW MOM UNDERSTANDS , I HAVE A CHILD.

I HAVE TO TAKE CARE OF MY CHILD.

I HAVE HELP.

I AM NOT BY MYSELF.

I HAVE HELP.

THAT'S REALLY GOOD, BECAUSE IT TAKES A COMMUNITY TO RAISE A CHILD.

WHEN THEY CAN FIND A PLACE WHERE THEY ARE COMFORTABLE IN THEIR SPACE, IT MEANS A WORLD OF DIFFERENCE.