Categories: Local
      Date: Sep  9, 2009
     Title: Help for young mums with kids

Queensland Premier and Member for South Brisbane Anna Bligh officially opened Caterpillar House today.

Caterpillar House is the new premises for the Young Mothers for Young Women early childhood program.

YMYW provides support to young women who are parents or expecting a child. Caterpillar House is an early childhood hub for young women, their children and partners.

It is based in a renovated Queenslander at 111 Vulture St in West End. It provides purpose built spaces for YMYW’s early childhood program and young women’s group work. YMYW provides support for young mothers in West End, surrounding suburbs and beyond.

“Young Mothers for Young Women provides family support, peer support, group work and early childhood programs at Butterfly House,” says Karyn Walsh. “YMYW provides intensive planned support with young families. This includes young mothers under the age of 25, their partners, families and children.

“Accommodation & tenancy, pregnancy, parenting support, child protection, children’s needs, advocacy, relationships and family domestic violence are the main areas of support. Many young women, their children and partners are helped to establish themselves in new homes.

“They also access high quality antenatal & post natal care while receiving support and practical assistance as they became parents. YMYW is an important and successful early intervention program which actively prevents children from needing to be in the care of Child Safety services,” says Karyn

Caterpillar House offers a range of services for families. It has been made possible through funding from the Queensland Department of Communities.  The renovation of Caterpillar House was assisted by financial support from ABN Amro Morgans.