Taproots (Chicago, Ill.)

Organization serving teenage mothers. Founded by Monica Cahill, BVM, Taproots began as a center for teenage mothers in the rectory of St. Thomas Aquinas Church in 1978. In 1980, Taproots (Teen-Age Parents Realizing Ongoing Orientation Toward Success) moved to a six-room flat at 2424 W. Polk St. Located on Chicago's West Side, Taproots offered its services to help ease the difficulties of teenage pregnancy and single parenthood. Taproots initial focus on teenage pregnancy eventually expanded to include an outreach program servicing the entire community. Its three-pronged program included empowerment training for young mothers, a child skills training in parenting, nutrition, hygiene, career awareness, and assistance in reaching proper community resources to help teenage parents.