Case Study of a Job Training, Housing, and Family Support Program for Young Mothers: New Moms

This case study describes New Moms, a nonprofit organization serving the west side of Chicago and its near western suburbs. New Moms provides job training, housing, and family support programs to pregnant and parenting young women and their children. Participants in New Moms’ job training program work toward self-determined goals and practice work readiness skills through hands-on employment experience in New Moms’ social enterprise, a candle company called Bright Endeavors. The housing program offers both transitional and permanent supportive housing. The family support program supports young mothers through individualized home visits and group meetings, and provides doulas for pregnant women. Across all three programs, New Moms partners with community-based organizations to support participants facing mental health issues, intimate partner violence, and other barriers to stability and well-being. This case study highlights New Moms’ job training program and describes the housing and family support programs.

This case study is part of the State TANF Case Studies project, which is designed to expand the knowledge base on innovative approaches to help people with low incomes, including TANF recipients, prepare for and engage in work and increase their overall stability. Mathematica and its subcontractor, MEF Associates, were contracted by the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) to develop descriptive case studies of nine innovative state and local programs. The programs were chosen through a scan of the field and discussions with stakeholders. TANF practitioners and staff of other programs can learn about innovative practices through the case studies. The studies also can expand policymakers’ and researchers’ understanding of programs that support people’s success in work and highlight innovative practices to explore in future research.