Parenting Programs – Lighthouse Pregnancy Resource Center

Parenting comes with ups, downs, and surprises. There are hard moments and joyful moments, and there’s a lot to figure out.

At Lighthouse, We Understand That You May Have Questions Like:

How will I care for a baby?

What support do I really have?

That’s why we offer a range of educational programs to support you throughout pregnancy and beyond. We’re here for you through every stage.

PREP: Parenting Readiness & Enrichment Program

When you participate regularly in counseling, mentoring, or educational opportunities during your pregnancy, the PREP program offers material aid, including diapers, baby clothing, and other essentials, as well as car seats.

PREP provides educational and emotional support alongside practical help, and material support continues until your child’s first birthday. Along the way, you’ll build a relationship with a mentor and connect with community resources that can help your family thrive.

Birth of a Family

Birth of a Family is Lighthouse’s newest program, designed to equip parents with the tools they need to build healthy, lasting families. The program includes 10 no-cost sessions held on Wednesday evenings at our Hawthorne location, with supper and childcare provided.

English- and Spanish-speaking family coaches guide parents, individually or as couples, as they explore healthy co-parenting, committed relationships, and breaking cycles of unhealthy patterns. Open to parents ages 18 and up, Birth of a Family is a voluntary, supportive opportunity to strengthen families today and for generations to come.

YoungLives: For Pregnant & Parenting Teens

Being pregnant or becoming a mom as a teen is challenging, but you don’t have to do it alone. Through YoungLives, you’ll meet other young moms who understand what you’re going through and connect with a mentor, a friend who walks with you through the good and hard times of life.

You’ll be accepted just as you are, learn the skills you need to be the best mom you can be, and have fun while your child is well cared for. YoungLives offers three ways to connect:

Club

A time of fun and laughter with other teen moms and mentors, with food, activities, music, childcare, and a message about real life. Club is no-cost, and all pregnant and parenting teen moms are welcome.

2nd Saturdays · 12:30–2:30 pm · October–June

Camp

Five days of great food, conversations, and once-in-a-lifetime experiences at resort-quality facilities, from the pool to the ropes course. Childcare volunteers care for your child part of the day so you can both enjoy yourselves.

Community Group

Twice a month, a smaller group gathers to share what’s happening in our lives and explore the spiritual side of life, with support from mentors and deeper friendships with other teen moms.

To learn more about YoungLives, contact Lead Coordinator Jessica Rexford today.

RENEW Life Center

Located in our Paterson center at 75 Ellison St, RENEW Life is a non-profit that teaches life strategies and skills to Lighthouse moms and dads, plus others from the Paterson community, to break the poverty cycle, restore dignity, and empower parents to thrive.

RENEW’s key offering is Getting Ahead in a Just Getting By World, a 10-week workshop held twice a year. Participants explore the causes of poverty and the resources needed to move forward, and graduates receive mentoring plus additional support such as ESL and financial literacy classes. Meals and childcare are provided during RENEW classes.

Learn more at RENEWLifeCenterNJ.org or call (862) 257-3817.

Join Us

Your first step is a no-cost, confidential appointment. You’ll meet with a mentor or advocate, review program options, and determine how they fit into your life. You’re welcome to bring your partner, a friend, or a family member for support.

Take this step toward building confidence and readiness for parenthood. Lighthouse is here to walk beside you.

MAKE AN APPOINTMENT