FAQ’s

Develop Life Skills Competencies. Kindred Life provides a safe and loving environment for each client; through Life Education nights, teen parent learn basic financial management skills, parenting, baby care, self-care, physical education and social skills while completing their education and working toward gainful employment. Tenn parents are paired with a 1:1 mentor and financial coach who provide loving support and accountability.

Cultivating Emotional Health and Well-being. Through individual and group counseling teen parents work through past trauma, develop healthy communication and relationship skills and build self-esteem.

Spiritual Care. Teen parents are equipped with a spiritual foundation that encourages a Christ-centered lifestyle and engagement in faith-based activities. Through devotionals, prayer, and the guidance of the program and mentor, our clients learn that they are seen, known, and loved unconditionally.

Meeting the needs of teen parents and their children –The needs of teen parents are numerous and complex. Oftentimes we are meeting a basic need first (food, clothing, education) before he/she trusts us enough to let us work on and meet his/her emotional and spiritual needs.

To get involved, see the Volunteer Opportunities page. Also, see the Partners page to view our partners and/or become a partner.

In order for us to grow and serve a greater number of families, we are investing resources in expanding and strengthening our community partners which include churches and public and private organizations so that we can meet the family’s needs to a greater capacity.

We are striving to implement new systems and tracking measurements to more clearly communicate impact.

We are expanding both paid and volunteer teams as necessary to meet the needs of our teen fathers and grandparents as well as continue improving services for the teen mother and child.

As the Lord leads and through our faithful prayer warriors and financial supporters, we can position ourselves to provide improved services to a greater number of families in surrounding communities.

Our goal is to love like Jesus. That means that when you become part of the Kindred Life family, you are met with extraordinary kindness and compassion. We will help you learn to see yourself as God does- created with purpose, full of potential, seen, known, and fully loved. We know that you will thrive when your whole family is thriving. So we support the whole family – Grandparents, moms, dads, and children.

You may also wish to read the Kindred Life Ministries Statement of Faith.

Each of our service locations serves up to eight teen parents and their families. Experience has shown that eight families are the optimum number to provide the greatest attention to each based on the availability of resources.

Kindred Life Ministries partners with local churches, communities, and the teen parent’s family of origin to provide the most comprehensive program to help every member of the teen family thrive.

Teen parents are often referred by local pregnancy centers, schools, and churches. Many also find out about the ministry through friends and social media.

Our service area in northern Cook County and Lake County is comprised of working-class and middle-class families with a variety of ethnic, cultural, and faith backgrounds.

We serve teenagers who are in their third trimester of pregnancy or have already delivered and have chosen to parent their children.

Each teen parent involved with Kindred Life Ministries is offered an array of services and is asked to meet program guidelines that allow them to grow and mature.

The teen parent identifies and works toward meeting her own individual goals with the assistance of the Program Director, Counselor, Social Worker, and mentor. These goals are addressed and monitored regularly. As the teen parent continues to participate in the Life Ed group and on his/her individual goals, they can remain a part of Kindred Life Ministries.

A typical stay in the program is 2-3 years culminating in a graduation ceremony upon program completion. The program must be completed by age 23. See Teen Parent Services for more details.

Graduates are invited to join the Kindred Life Alumni Group and encouraged to get plugged into a church and/or Mom’s group to continue to grow and be supported.

Kindred Life Ministries welcomes teen fathers and extended family members of the teen mothers who are participating in the Life Ed program. Grandparents and support persons are invited to our annual program events: Fall Family Open House, Graduation & Summer Socials.

Mentoring, financial coaching, and personal counseling are offered to teen fathers. Newsletters and group counseling are offered to the grandparents.

Yes, Kindred Life Ministries is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. Both monetary gifts and in-kind donations are most appreciated and tax-deductible.

To make an online gift please visit the Giving page. Thank you!