A program designed to serve pregnant and parenting teens in the Wilmington area is seeking new funding sources.
The Adolescent Parenting Program, which is offered through Planned Parenthood South Atlantic, is focused on helping pregnant and parenting teens stay in school, connecting them with services in the community, and providing them with the education, support and resources to delay a second pregnancy until they are ready.
The program’s coordinator Dana King said it serves 17 young women.
But the program has recently experienced some funding changes that have left staff looking to fill the gaps. The New Hanover Community Endowment provided $200,000 to the Adolescent Parenting Program — $100,000 per year over two years.
The Endowment funding
has now ended, and Planned Parenthood staff say they are "disappointed" by the decision.
Leigh Johnson, director of philanthropy - Planned Parenthood South Atlantic - Eastern NC, said in an email that the Adolescent Parenting Program "directly advanced" the Endowment's Social and Health Equity pillar, and that the Adolescent Parenting Program "met or exceeded every goal established for the grant."
Among the outcomes, she noted that five teen mothers and one teen father earned their high school diplomas or equivalent, and the program strengthened its partnerships with Cape Fear Community College. Johnson also pointed out that “the 2023 rate of repeat teen pregnancies in New Hanover County was lower than the statewide average.”
“Delaying a repeat teen pregnancy is a primary goal" of the Adolescent Parenting Program, she added.
Johnson said that “despite these outcomes and the program’s direct alignment with an Endowment priority,” they learned that the Endowment was “not going to move forward with another application" for the Adolescent Parenting Program funding, at this time.
“While we are disappointed to receive this information, it does create an opportunity for other local and regional funders to step forward and invest in a program with a long record of demonstrated success in New Hanover County,” Johnson said.
Despite the funding loss, Johnson noted that Planned Parenthood South Atlantic is currently using general operating funds and unrestricted donations to sustain the program while seeking new grant and individual donor support.
“At this time, there is not another funding source positioned to replace the Endowment’s investment at the same level,” Johnson said.
Amber Rogerson, communications director for the New Hanover Community Endowment, confirmed that Planned Parenthood received a $200,000 grant in 2024 to support the Adolescent Parenting Program with funds being used for "providing home visits, education, healthcare access, and resource connections for pregnant and parenting teens."
When asked what factored into the decision not to renew the grant, Rogerson said, "As a matter of practice, we do not comment on potential funding decisions, discussions with current or prospective grantees, or future plans. We remain committed to improving the well-being of New Hanover County residents through strategic, community-informed investments."
Renee Spencer is the community engagement editor at the StarNews. Reach her at rspencer@usatodayco.com. This story was produced in partnership with the Coastal Journalism Hub, a collaborative focused on health and wellbeing in New Hanover County.
This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: Wilmington teen parent program seeks new funding
