Our History:
New Creation Home Ministries (NCHM) began in January, 1998 as a "Teen Mom Outreach" program under the auspices of Bayshore Christian Ministries, a non-profit Christian youth organization in East Palo Alto, California. NCHM was incorporated as a non-profit organization in November, 2001, and became organizationally separate from Bayshore by receiving its 501(c)(3) status in March, 2002.
Whom We Serve:
NCHM serves young mothers (13-22) and their children living in the San Francisco Bay Area, focusing specifically on the communities of East Palo Alto/east Menlo Park.
Our Mission:
New Creation Home Ministries exists to provide safe Christ centered housing and support services to teen mothers and children ages 13-22 that encourage academic, vocational, parenting, life skill, and social development.
Our Programs:
New Creation Home:
NCH is a residential program for up to 4 young mothers
(13-19) and their children. At NCH, young mothers attend school full time (high school, GED classes, job training, or college). The home is focused on supporting the residents in finishing their education, learning good parenting techniques and applicable life skills and in seeking out a deeper relationship with God. There are five attendance requirements for young mothers living at New Creation Home: they must attend a weekly parenting class, a weekly Bible study, and a weekly church service, they must attend school or job training classes full-time, and finally, they must meet weekly with a counselor or mentor if asked. NCH residents are required to cook once a week for all the house residents, must abide by nightly curfews, and must complete daily and weekly chores. Residents are assisted in obtaining all needed resources, including childcare, infant items, transportation to school and all appointments, and government assistance if desired. Residents are required to save at least 75% of their income each month and are taught money management skills. NCH residents do not have a time limit to their stay at the house; as long as a young mom is continuing her education full-time and following all the house rules, she is welcome to continue living at New Creation Home.
The Lighthouse:
The Lighthouse is a residential program for up to 4 young mothers (18-22) and their children. At the Lighthouse, young mothers have completed their high school diploma or GED, and work full-time or part-time and/or attend college or a trade/technical school at least 20 hours per week. Residents work with the Lighthouse Resident Manager to develop longer-term vocational and financial plans, as well as a housing plan for their time after the Lighthouse. Like New Creation Home, the Lighthouse program helps residents learn good parenting techniques and applicable life skills, and develop a deeper relationship with God. Attendance requirements for young mothers include attending a weekly parenting class, a weekly Bible study, and a weekly church service, and meeting weekly with a counselor or mentor, if asked. Residents are required to save at least 70% of their income each month and are taught independent living skills. Residents may stay at the Lighthouse for up to 18 months.
Weekly Parenting Class:
Parenting class is held at New Creation Home on Tuesdays from 6:30-7:30. Parenting Classes meet weekly in continuous 10-week quarters at New Creation Home. Classes meet on Tuesdays with dinner from 5:30-6:30, and class from 6:30-7:30. Childcare is provided from 6:15-7:30, so parents can attend class without their children. Class teachers/speakers are recruited from the local community and from churches. Topics covered in parenting class range from the spiritual aspects of raising children to health and nutrition, as well as general life skills, including financial management and child safety.