My name is Debbie Keener.  I am the Executive Director for Samara’s Village which is a 501C3 nonprofit in Brunswick County.  We serve  adolescent families by providing an individualized curriculum, essential needs for babies from birth to age three and connections to area agencies for additional support services needed by these families.  Female volunteers, called Home Visitors, use a curriculum called Partners for a Healthy Baby to educate the mothers about a healthy lifestyle, budgeting, family development, caring for baby and baby’s development.  This program begins when the mother enters our program until her baby turns three years old.  Male volunteers, called Fatherhood Mentors, use a curriculum called 24/7 Dad to educate the fathers about the importance of fathers,  father involvement and engagement in a child’s life, as well as baby’s development and care.  The fathers are also in the program until the baby turns age 3.  Education is a focused goal for all of our participants.  Support is offered to obtain a high school diploma or a GED.  Further education and support is also given toward career goals.