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Bethesda Centre
Bethesda is a branch of the Salvation Army, and is located at 54 Riverview Avenue. A 24 hour residence, this agency works with pregnant teens from 14 years through to 18 years of age; though, the girls are usually within the age ranges of 14 through to 16. Bethesda receives three quarters of its funding from the government and the Salvation Army, and raises the remaining 25% through fundraising ventures.
Bethesda exists within an older house that has all of the amenities of a transitional housing facility. This agency also offers daycare services to their clients and the London community. Recently, their daycare was expanded due to the community’s need, and has all of the offerings that most daycares boast.
Thanks to Bethesda Residential Centre, these teens are assured:
- Pre and post-natal care,
- Continued high school education at the residence,
- Counselling
- Parenting education
- Life skills lessons
- Independent living/budgeting/financial lessons
- Child care
Having taken a tour of the facility, it is impressive to see what this agency provides to its clients. They have a classroom, a crafts` room, a TV room, a baby boutique, a couple of kitchens, and residential wings. The residential wings are separate spaces that are divided into a prenatal wing, postnatal wing, and apartments.
Bethesda also has a second stage residential program that is offered to the women who have received post-natal support from Bethesda. This second stage housing consists of apartments that are located just off of the primary residence. These units are self-contained, which allows the teen and her baby privacy, but also enables the teen to access help when needed.
