2005/11/19 Johnson City Concert to benefit Young Moms & Young Dads

Young Moms, Dads support group to benefit from concert

by well-known local musician

 

Robbie Hale, a local resident who has been a contestant on the Tri-Cities version of the “American Idol” show, will provide a concert at Heritage Baptist Church in Johnson City for the benefit of a group that helps young people face parenthood.

 The Young Moms & Young Dads program at Johnson City Medical Center (JCMC) will be the beneficiary of donations taken at the Nov. 19 concert, to be held from 5-8 p.m. at the church. The concert is being organized by a young woman who knows that support from such an organization can make the difference.

“In 1993, when I was 19, doubting myself, not knowing which direction to turn and expecting a baby, I just wasn’t sure about anything,” said Nickki Fields, who was introduced to “a rainbow of people” through the Young Moms & Young Dads program. Pam King is director of the hospital-based support group.

“I love her (King) to death,” said Fields, “and have kept in contact. Pam helped me with questions on parenting and any problems I’ve encountered.” Now a successful businesswoman, Fields worked for several years with Girls Incorporated before being named store manager at Old Navy in Johnson City. Married with three children, Fields is a friend of the talented singer who has offered to present the concert. “When Robbie asked if I knew of a worthy cause for which he could perform, I immediately thought of the group that had helped so many young people like me.”

Live and featuring the Grace Temple Expressions Team, the concert will be open to donations for the support group. Shekinah Glory Music and Youth Ministries, Inc., are co-sponsoring the event at the church, located at 1512 John Exum Parkway, across from Science Hill High.

Participants in the Young Moms & Young Dads program are 20 or younger. The on-going support group classes meet each Tuesday from 3:30-5 p.m. in the Women’s Center Conference Room at JCMC for a 24-week learning series. Parents and grandparents often attend with the young moms and dads, King said.

 Begun 15 years ago, the support group acknowledges that babies are born to young people in a variety of circumstances and from a variety of households, King explained.

“It was not formed to express approval for teen pregnancy, yet it does acknowledge that young people are having babies. The support group puts the emphasis on education and invites both the moms and dads to participate to learn about life with a baby. It is not a formal, nor judgmental look at the circumstances of the young mother who’s 20 or younger. It is an avenue to help young moms, or young moms-to-be face the realities of their lives with babies,” said King. Many of the young moms and dads come to the support group meetings after they give birth. These parents have formed a group called REALITY which focuses on giving back to the community by serving as peer educators. They share their stories of the challenges of being young and pregnant and serve as mentors to young people who are experiencing those challenges.

For more information about the Nov. 19 benefit, call (423) 943-6428 or (423) 943-3615.

MSHA facilities include: the Johnson City Medical Center, The Children’s Hospital at JCMC, North Side Hospital, Johnson City Specialty Hospital, James H. & Cecile C. Quillen Rehabilitation Hospital, Woodridge Hospital, a service of JCMC, all in Washington County, TN; Sycamore Shoals Hospital, Carter County, TN; Johnson County Health Center, located in Mountain City, TN.; Indian Path Medical Center and Indian Path Pavilion in Sullivan County; TN;  Blue Ridge Medical Management Corporation – operating the First Assist Urgent Care centers, ValuCare Clinics and numerous primary care offices.