The Department of Religious Studies, in keeping with the mission of Agnes Scott College, developed a unique volunteer program to support The Fraiser Child Development Center at Decatur High School. The Center provides childcare while mothers attend high school and offers parenting skills training to teenage mothers. Since Fall 1997, between ten and fifteen Agnes Scott students have volunteered at Decatur High School’s Fraiser Center.

The Agnes Scott Volunteer Program at the Fraiser Center seeks to break the generational cycle of poverty and teen pregnancy by helping young mothers envision a productive future. By assisting with the parenting and academic education of teenage mothers, Agnes Scott students experience, first-hand, the benefits of applying theory to practice. The program has five components:

Mentoring: Each week students lead group and individual projects that reflect an empowerment curriculum

Tutoring: Students and guest facilitators host workshops that address literacy skills, as well as self-expression through art and writing.

Social Work: Students accompany social workers from Decatur High School on home visits.

College Visit Days: Fraiser Center mothers accompany Agnes Scott students to morning classes and then attend a luncheon with an alumna keynote speaker.

Support for Moms: Students and campus volunteers create gift bags and Christmas bags for mothers and babies.

The Program also provides a funded two-semester service-learning internship designed to provide out-reach for further strengthening the Center’s basic services.

For more information contact Dr. Tina Pippin, Department of Religious Studies: tpippin {at} agnesscott(.)edu.