SUMMER 2009 EDITION
FAMILY»
The effects of the economy on teen parents
Varerie Mosley /STAFF
Vashante Vinyard, 18, and her daughter, 11-month-old Janaija, pose outside their apartment on July 17. Vinyard is on a tight budget. "When gas and formula prices go up it hits me hard," she said.
COLUMBIA — Single mother Vashante Vinyard has a difficult time making ends meet as she raises her 11-month-old daughter, Janaija Kimbrough.
“It’s a struggle,” said 18-year-old Vinyard.
Vinyard, like many teen parents, is having a hard time making enough money to get by during the recession.
Even necessities such as formula are a struggle for Vinyard to afford. She said that when her daughter was born, the cost of a can of powdered formula was around $24; the price has now gone up to $26.
Vinyard works full-time for a company that cleans buildings. She said finding her job was complicated. She had few credentials when she was searching for a job because of her age.
“I didn’t have any job experience except for McDonald’s,” Vinyard said. “A job is a necessity.”
Vinyard said that she, like many other teen parents, relies on nonprofit organizations such as Open Arms Pregnancy Resource Center and Lutheran Family and Children's Services of Missouri for essential supplies.
“Diapers are a very expensive item,” said social worker Eileen Long.
Long, who works at Lutheran Family and Children’s Services, said that as the cost of raising a child has increased, teen parents are finding it more difficult than ever.
“Their expenses are huge,” she said.
A program that helps young parents stay in school by providing free child care during the school day is Project Crib at Douglass High School.
Douglass Principal Brian Gaub said the recession has made it tough for teen parents to find work. He said that in the past, if students lost their jobs, they would easily be able to find new ones. But now, college students are taking the jobs that used to be available to high school students, making it difficult for young parents.