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SECTION 2-PAGE 4-PI AINDKAIjER-WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 4, 1984 -- Classes fori January -- 200 teen pregnancies in county this year CLOTHING: Tailoring - make a beautiful wool blazer while lear­ ning the latest tailoring techniques. 7 classes Mon­ days at 7:00 starting January 16. Fee: $40.00 Pants - for Any Body. Learn to make perfect- fitting pants - even if you're hard to fit. 4 classes Thursdays at 4:00, January 12-February 2. $25.00 fee includes textbook. DECORATING: Warm Window Insulated Shades - Roman shades keep your home warm. I class, Saturdays at 2:00 p.m. all month. $10.00 fee is refundable with purchase of fabric for shade. Beginning Craft Sewing - Learn the rudiments of machi^n^applique, patchwork, quilting and fabric frames. 4 classes, Thursdays at 10:00, January 12-February 2. $35.00fee includes materials. Broken Ladder Crib Quilt - Quilt is pre-cut in prints of blue, pink and white. 2 classes, Tuesdays, January 17 & 24 at 10:00 or Saturdays, January 21 & 28 at 10:00. $35.00fee includes material. Covered Photo Album - A nostalgic covered album of calico & trim. A place for a photo on the front. Bring album, we supply the rest. One class, Wednesday, January 11 at 4:00 or Friday, J&ujary H at 10:00 $15.007& PRE-REGISTRATION REQUIRKD FOR ALL CLASSES VIKING SKWING MACHINES AUTHORIZED DKAI.KR MAIN STREET FABRICS*3£ 229 Main Slrtrl 815/338-7370 Woodstock Ardilh Shishmian. manager Hours: Daily 9:30-5:30; Fri. 9:30-8; Closed Sun. By Kur* 3«galka Shaw Free Press News Media "It's a little scary, rkut you have to go with your Wei' said a 19-year-old unwed, pregnant mother from McHenry County. Jenny Knauss, director of the Illinois Caucus on Teenage Pregnancy, reported that, based on demographic « information, 5,470 teen-agers from 13 to 19 were at risk of pregnancy in McHenry County . The Illinois Department of Public Health reported that 188 of the 2,405 births in the county in 1982 were to youths between 10 and 19 years old. Tom Engle, assistant director of McHenry County Youth Service Bureau, estimates there were more than "200 teenage pregnancies in McHenry County this year. The mean age is between 16 and 17 years old. Many are unwed. The Parents Too Soon Initiative is funded by the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services and overseen by the Ounce of Prevention Fund, a voluntary not-for-profit organization based in Chicago. Harold Gershenson, assistant director of the group, said the state developed the program to provide money for infant day care, an outreach program to lend support to teen­ age mothers and to provide information on how to care for children. YSB was one of 20 state organizations to receive money. Their objective is to strengthen bonds between teens and their families by emphasizing positive parental skills and communication. High-risk parents are generally young, poor and often unaware of medical checkups, hygiene and nutrition, Engle said. "Very often they are under continual pressure by their families," Arnold Woodruff, clinical supervisor for YSB, said. "It becomes doubly im­ portant for the baby to be per­ fect." Promotion of self-esteem and confidence in teenage parents lessens the chance of child abuse. YSB's Parents Too Soon program also condones realistic expectations. It takes a neutral stand on the issue of right-to-life versus abortion. That decision should be made by the adolescent with their parents," Engle said. "It's their decision, not ours to make for them." . Mary Lou Meyer, staff nurse in charge of the prenatal program for the McHenry County Health Department, said her office works closely with YSB. Most of the 30 to 35 women she has worked with since April have been teens. ® "Just because of their age and inexperience they have con­ ceptions and some ideas how easy it's going to be," Meyer said. They learn otherwise.. Meyer encouraged women to come to, the office for a free pregnancy test. Depending upon their income, they might qualify for the health department's prenatal program, funded by state and federal grants. Ms. Meyer conducts home visits prior to birth and follow- up visits afterwards. Counseling is left to YSB, which visits young parents on a weekly basis. Family counseling is done in conjunction with another ^program entitled the Minnesota Early Learning Design. It helfcs teens learn about parenting from volunteer mothers. Engle said babysitting ser­ vices will be provided to allow young parents to attend program activities and educational classes in high school or college. "Without it, a mother can't work or return to school," Gershenson said. "They wind up depending on their family or public aid." The anticipated $80,000 a year in the Initiative program will allow YSB to hire three new faculty members. Engle said the program will start on Jan. 1. He believes YSB will be able to serve 80 teenagers each year. Interested teens or their parents may telephone YSB at 338-7360 for more information. Pregnancy disrupts students' lives, Engle explained. "The whole concept of life changes from a carefree student to a person with a number of responsibilities they're not ready for." Jane Buchholz, YSB counselor and advisor to a support group for teenage mothers, has operated a support group for more than two months. They meet at' 7 p.m. Tuesday at Westwood School. "It is for girls who have decided to go full-term with their pregnancy," Buchholz said. The present and upcoming support groups are free and open to fathers; however, Woodruff acknowledged their position is uncertain. "That's a live issue legally," he said. One pregnant teen involved with the support group praised it for its support and information referral. "Just knowing that sorr&where there is support is helpful," she said. Ms. Buchholz found that the young women in her group are knowledgable about birth control. "I don't think there are too many people nowadays who haven't heard about the pill," she said. But YSB officials agree that premarital pregnancy is a volatile emotional issue. stai LINE i i I Spiess follows the sun... * Liz Clcijborne... creates for those ray catchers goin' South or goin' West or wherever for winter! Get worlds away from winter in her 100% sHk chemise with three pretty tucks at the shoulders and revealing side slit! Packable and hand washable. In jade or cream. 126.00. Better Dresses, Elgin on 3, Crystal Lake and St. Charles Charge it on your Spiess Charge, Visa, MasterCard or American Express! "A lot of them are feeling very confused and very scared," Ms. Buchholz said: "They're just kids themselves." Adolescents, already bur­ dened with physical and psychological changes, must try to cope with the adult challenge of raising a child. The new program will "help people make , decisions they can live with," Woodruff said. Laurie Anderson, 17, attended school until she was five months pregnant. The stares and stereotypes were difficult to deal with, she said. "Peoplejsay they're your friends but when something like this happens you find out who they really are," she said. "It's pretty hard for people to accept someone having a baby who is not married." Only when people are forced to deal with it do they look at the whole issue and grasp it, Laurie said. "Pregnant without being married is the ultimate sin." She is grateful for her parents' understanding. "I would say in six months I aged 30 years," she said. "There's a lot you have to face when you're 16 and pregnant," she said, adding, "It's hard to be a parent and have to take orders from yours. Ms. Anderson still has plans to go to college, and the support group helps her deal with time and emotional constraints. "It's so good to know you are not the only one in the world," she said. She has a quiet determination, but it wasn't always that way. "I told my mother I wouldn't leave the house until I had him," she acknowledged. "I just didn't feel good about myself anymore. "I can't imagine my life without him (the baby) now, but if I didn't have him I couldn't imagine myself with him. Everyone makes their mistakes. You have to learn to live with them." Pay MATTRESSES: Twin from *2985 per pc. Full from *39®5perpc. Queen from *5995 per pc. King^ from $6995 per pc. fkWTTV "M?TP/BARGAIN Ut I KjEJ I/baskmknti Open Saturday only 10 a m - 5 p.m 10004 Main St. (Hebron Mall) Hebron Make YOUR old Silver look like NEW! ALL SILVER REPLATIN6 REDUCED 25% - No charge for straightening DURING JANUARY ONLY BEFORE; AFTER Every Item Replated at Sale Prices Tjiis is an excellent time to take advantage of these lOw. low prices to have your worn silverware antiques and family hey/looms, replated like new These pieces are now more valuable than ever and make won derful gtfis All work HEAVILY SILVER PLATED by our skilled silversmiths and Sale prices aoply to ALL pieces i rFor instance Rag. Sal* Prica Teapot . Creamer.. Candlestick (per in ) Sugar Bowl Trays (per sq in.).. $102 50 53 95 5 8 5 58 50 46 S76.88 40.46 4.38 43.88 .35 Fflll 25 Year Warranty on all silver replating. ASK ABOUT FULL DETAILS 'REPAIR POLICY: FREE DENT REMOVAL and ttrwgMtmng on III ittmt »• tilvarplatt '0*1 HI * FOA ANY KINO AM0 AU ADDITIONAL REPAIRS no mm* how eittnwt. on any pact m ifrwplM ikMn nMotif brataf naidtet top knote ttc (Only ticopftom aft tot hjmartng mm ports *no unuamiy Mticuft rtpatrt) SALE ENDS JANUARY 31 BRING IN SILVER TODAY! \jCHCLlHS-SiLVCHSMh 216 moin St. Woodstock 330-1232