How Does Starting Point Benefit Knox County??
As stakeholders in Knox County for nearly 34 years, Starting point is committed to educating and empowering teens and young adults to make informed decisions about their relationships and future families. As a life-affirming , community-funded organization, we educate and encourage young women and men to be intentional about setting and pursuing goals that contribute to a successful life. Very often a pregnancy decision plays a critical role in this process. Those needing help will not only find free pregnancy and STI testing, OB-ultrasounds and evidence-based options education on abortion, adoptions and parenting, but they will discover a safe, non-judgmental environment and volunteer mentors and loving support for the journey.
In addition to pregnancy decision and after-abortion care, Starting Point supports young families with parenting education, birthing classes by licensed Doulas, material support through the Boutique, licensed counseling and the opportunity to learn and grow with other new moms and dads. In the past 12 months, Starting Point has had 5 client couples commit to marriage!
*Success Sequence
Research by the Brookings Institute of NY revealed three steps to success for teens:
Complete their education
Secure fulltime employment
Get married before having childern
Those who follow this “Success Sequence,” have a 90% chance of avoiding poverty and making valuable contributions to their local community. Starting Point is committed to education that promotes life, marriage and family as the core building blocks of a thriving community.
