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Ever notice how preschoolers love to drag every toy out of the toy box to play with? At the Teen MOPS group at Life and Light Community Church, lively MOPPETS scatter their toys tornado-style in the living room before the MOPS meeting. This teen group meets weekly in a small house on the edge of the church property in Lakewood, Colorado.

In this intimate and comfortable setting, kids play while their moms eat dinner together and discuss life. Afterward, moms learn from speakers about parenting and finances, do crafts and learn practical skills—such as cooking and time management. This environment provides a safe place for moms to "take off their shoes" and be vulnerable with each other.

This group is small in size, but offers the community a much-needed place where the unique needs of teen moms are met. However, this group depends solely on the help from the classic MOPS groups in the Denver-metro area to meet these needs. Their Coordinator, Elizabeth Melvin, says, "Over the last five years everything we have has been donated by other MOPS groups or MOPS moms in the area."

MOPS moms from all over deliver dinner to the Light and Life Teen group and often stay for the meeting to provide childcare and take part in discussions. Beyond meals, area groups also provide groceries, hold baby showers, give gifts to the moms and provide scholarships to MOPS training events. They also donate supplies for the meetings including diapers, wipes, clothes, toys and craft materials. Other area MOPS groups invite the teen moms to join them for Christmas parties, spa nights and to preview shopping at an annual clothing sale.

"I volunteer here because these girls are inspiring," explains Kelly, Co-Coordinator. She's always impressed by how selfless the teen moms are and that they never take anything for granted. She says, "These girls do more in one day than I do in one week." They manage work, school, breastfeeding and relationships with the people around them, all while giving their children top priority.

The teen moms agree that the most important thing they've gained in their MOPS group is confidence. When they walk in the door, they find a haven from their lives—a safe place where they feel accepted by people who understand the intricacies of their circumstances. They talk openly about their most personal struggles, including what it feels like to mother alone and how to manage relationships with the fathers of their children. When they leave at the end of the night, they take this support and encouragement with them.

The leaders intentionally make themselves easily accessible. Kelly hopes she can give these moms support and a little advice and build their self-esteem. Leslie is proof that this model is effective. She's one of the leaders in this group now, but a few years ago she came as a teen mom who needed acceptance and support. She returned because she wanted to give back to this group by using her story as an example—living proof and encouragement for teen moms today.

Teen mom Victoria says, "The MOPS leaders take the time to truly invest in my life and to help me. They've become like part of my family." She says she gained the confidence she needed to walk away from a destructive relationship because of her leaders' support, and she also has found help to become a better mom.

The generous gifts and support of others have equipped the Light and Life Teen MOPS group with the tools they need to impact the lives of teen moms. And Elizabeth Melvin believes the constant support of other MOPS groups and MOPS moms in the area is tangible evidence to the teens in her group that they are loved.

Jackie Alvarez is the Media Assistant at MOPS International. She lives in Colorado and visits the mountains as often as possible to snowboard, hike, camp, raft and backpack. Jackie also enjoys watching movies, seeking out good music and engaging in conversation about faith.

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