Breakfast with Santa helps teen moms, dads

For a child, sharing a wish list with Santa is a magical moment full of hope and promise.

For a teen mother with the odds stacked against her, earning her high school diploma can feel like a moment with Santa. With that diploma in hand, the young mom finds the future offers more opportunities.

A Breakfast with Santa on Saturday, Dec. 11, is sure to create more of both magical moments.

The event benefits Moms In School, a nonprofit program based in West Chicago that provides day care for the children of teen mothers. The state-accredited child-care center aims to help teens graduate by providing an alternative to dropping out of school.

Currently, the center serves nine children full time and one part time. Since its founding in 1992, the program has helped teen parents in 150 young families graduate from high school.

Center Director Tammy Bloom cites a graduation rate of about 75 percent for the mothers (and a few fathers) who have used the service. The graduation rate for teen parents without such a program is about 40 percent, she said.

Teens are asked to pay what they can for the day care and are urged to apply for state grants, but the center relies on donations and fundraisers to supplement a per-child subsidy from the Illinois Department of Health Services.

Breakfast with Santa is one of two annual fundraisers for Moms In School.

From 8:30 to 11 a.m., children and parents can dine on a breakfast of pancakes, sausage and fruit while waiting for their chance to talk to Santa. Santa will pose for photos, which are $5 each. Parents might want to bid in a silent auction.

Breakfast tickets are $6 for adults, $3 for children 12 and younger, or $15 for a family of two adults and their children. The breakfast is at First United Methodist and First Congregational Church, 643 E. Washington St., West Chicago. For details, call (630) 231-0231 or visit firstumucc.org/momsinschool.htm.

<p><b>If you go</p></b>

<p><b>What:</b> Breakfast with Santa</p>

<p><b>Why: </b>Benefits Moms In School, a nonprofit day-care for children of teen parents</p>

<p><b>When: </b>8:30 to 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 11</p>

<p><b>Where:</b> First United Methodist and First Congregational Church, 643 E. Washington St., West Chicago</p>

<p><b>Cost: </b>$6 for adults, $3 for kids; $15 for a family of two adults and their children</p>

<p><b>Info: </b>(630) 231-0231 or firstumucc.org/moms inschool.htm</p>