Recipient of the Month
Foundations for Education - Guatamala

Give Girls A Chance would like to thank Sarah Boesveld, a Ryerson student who generously gave of her time to write this article.

Literature for Life
Helping single teen moms get ahead
By Sarah Boesveld

Lindsay Kretschmer's Scarborough (Toronto suburb) family was "definitely nothing like the Cleavers" - the model family popularized in the 1950's television show Leave It to Beaver. Pregnant at 15, Kretschmer's reality was far removed from the carefree life of TV teens. But now at 23, the mother of Kayla, 8, and Emilee, 5, wouldn't have it any other way.

"My children are one of my biggest motivations," she says. "I think having kids early on made me more positive, and it made me have more ambition."

Ambitious and determined, Kretschmer has refused to let being a single parent rob her of an education. Working feverishly through an advertising course at Centennial College over lunch, and long after she's kissed her girls goodnight in the evening, Kretschmer never complains about putting in extra hours for her diploma.

Kretschmer also helps other single moms stay focused on learning. She credits the fact that she was a teen mom for motivating her to become involved with Literature for Life - a program designed for young mothers and their children to keep them reading.

"I was drawn to [Literature for Life] because it was different from all other programs [for teen moms]... and I love to read and write," she says, recalling how thrilled she was with the first book she made as a child about dinosaurs.

The program puts out a quarterly parenting magazine called Yo' Mama where Kretschmer combines her love of writing with helping others.
Kretschmer is a slight woman with her hair tied severely back - but her dark eyes glitter as brilliantly as her diamond nose stud when the subject of writing comes up. She exudes maturity beyond her years, especially in her drive to encourage other young mothers to stay motivated.

Writing "about 15 articles of different sizes" each issue, Kretschmer gives humorous and informative advice on issues from C-sections, to what to do when your child starts spewing out swear words. The most effective articles she writes, Kretschmer says, are the ones that tell true stories of girls who've been there.

I think the inspirational stories give [readers] a chance to really relate and look at someone else's story and say, 'Wow, she had it really rough, now look where she's at!' I think people need to see other people going through similar things and then coming out on top," she says.

"Just getting on the bus can be the worst experience in the world [for young moms] because a lot of people are looking down upon them. They learn to limit themselves as opposed to applying themselves," she says. That's why she feels it's so important that women like her act as guideposts for new, young moms.

Her volunteer work earned her recognition with the YWCA's Young Woman of Distinction Award in 2003. After college, she hopes to continue the day-to-day juggling act of children and work that she enjoys so much - and, of course, always keep learning.

"I don't think I'll ever limit myself to one career. I think there's too much out there to learn and explore, I don't think I could ever just stop learning," Kretschmer says, adding that her community work will not end when she is awarded her diploma and gets a job.

"My heart's in it," she says of her dedication to volunteering, while advertising is about her creativity.

When asked how her life might have turned out if she hadn't been a teen mom, she gasps incredulously.

"[Having children] gave me something to work for; it gave me a reason to believe that I could make something of my life," she says. "I have no regrets and I don't feel like, 'Oh God, I could have done more with my life.' I'm happy with what I've done with my life. I wouldn't change a thing.

"Nothing."

Helpful links:
Literature for Life website
http://www.literatureforlife.org/

Yo' Mama magazine link:
http://www.literatureforlife.org/yomama.php
Acrobat files: view magazine issues

YWCA Young Women of Distinction
http://www.ywcatoronto.org/women_distinction/wod_young.htm