Nona’s Garden Deliver with Peace of Mind

3. Nona’s Garden Deliver with Peace of Mind

4. Nona’s Garden Located in Lancaster, Pa – far from the stressful obligations of a town, we are surrounded by nature’s beauty in a secluded area. The open space allows for a garden, in which the girls plant many seasonal fruits and vegetables in. House and serve approximately 100 pregnant adolescent girls (14-18 yrs of age). Girls are accepted at any point during their pregnancy. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, national origin, color or disability. No payment required – governmentally funded, grants, volunteers & donations.

5. Our Mission: To establish a nurturing environment for high risk pregnant adolescents in need by providing the nutritional guidance and support necessary to become self-sufficient, in addition to have a healthy child.

6. Our Focus is: • To provide a nurturing environment in which adolescents are able to feel accepted and supported throughout the remainder of their term. • Achieve optimal health for both the pregnant adolescent and their unborn child by practicing good nutritional habits. • Inspire women to be an influential part of their community. • Instill responsibility, independence and, most of all, confidence.

7. In order to achieve these goals, the soon-to-be mothers will: • Receive guidance from nutrition professionals. • Continue their high school education. • Participate in daily activities such as: • Cooking • Cleaning • Food Shopping • Gardening • Assigned a social worker whom will help each adolescent find her goals and achieve her own path.

8. Studies have shown that adolescent mothers have poorer: Academic records Aspiration Family Relations Psychological Health Our Staff includes RA (5) Middle & High School Teachers (5) Obstetrician (1) Nurse (1) Registered Dietitians (2) Counselor (2) Social Worker (2) Chef (1) Maintenance crew (2)

9. Similar Facilities Bridgeway Homes - Providing education and support for pregnant and parenting teenagers. Encouraging them to pursue educational goals, job training, good parenting and adoption options. Mission is to build new lives for pregnant teens and their babies by providing shelter, food, clothes, education, life skills, counseling, mentors, career training and support. Functions with the help of volunteers and provides a positive environment for the teens. Harbor House- A Christian maternity home for teens ages 11-17. Help teen girls make informed decision between parenting and adoption. The girls live with house parents in a family setting that employs Biblical principles of love, discipline and counsel. The programs are designed to help the girls to make mature and informed decisions for themselves and their baby. Counseling is provided to restore broken/strained relationships with family, friends and with God. Mary’s Shelter - Serves teens in need of a loving and nurturing environment during their time of pregnancy. The Shelter empowers and equips vulnerable teen mothers and their babies for lives of hope, dignity, and self-sufficiency. It has a 1 acre lot with a garden. Partners with Head Start.

10. Nona’s Garden differs because we focus so heavily on the nutritional needs & education of pregnant adolescents. • Caloric Intake • Macronutrients • Carbohydrates • Protein • Fat • Micronutrients • Fiber • Iron • Calcium • B12 • Folic Acid

11. Table 1. Dietary Reference Intakes for Women

12. Kaiser, L. & Allen, L.H. (2008). Position of the American dietetic association: nutrition and lifestyle for a healthy pregnancy outcome. Journal of the American Dietetic Association , 108, 553-561.

13. Micronutrients: • Fiber • Increasing the amount of dietary fiber during pregnancy has been shown to reduce the risk of preeclampsia, post prandial blood sugar and cholesterol levels. • Iron • Adolescent females are already at high risk for developing iron deficiency, but pregnant adolescents are at twice the risk due to the iron needs of the fetus and placenta. Iron deficiency during pregnancy can cause low birth weight in an infant, premature birth, and maternal mortality. The mother may also become extremely anemic. • Calcium • Having low levels of calcium can cause a deficiency in Vitamin D and magnesium as well as kidney failure. • For pregnant adolescents who are still growing, calcium is extremely important not only for the growth and development of their baby, but for their own growth and bone function. • Calcium metabolism appears to play a role in pregnancy induced hypertension (PIH). PIH may • be prevented in pregnant adolescents by an adequate calcium intake, approximately 1,300mg.

14. Micronutrients: • B12 • Maternal vitamin B12 deficiency has been linked to decreased brain function in offspring, particularly in areas such as sustained attention and short-term memory. • If deficient, increased risk of neural tube defects (spina bifida or possibly fatal birth defects). • Folic Acid • Deficiency also be linked to decrease brain function in infants. • Folic acid helps prevent birth defects like some heart defects and limb malformations. • It is recommended that all women who are of childbearing age start taking 400mcg of folic acid supplements to help prevent the possibility of these birth complications.

15. Percent of pregnant women meeting the dietary recommendations for nutrients that have been previously shown to be low in the diets of pregnant adolescents and adult women. *Mean intake for Vitamin B12 met or exceeded reference values in both the adolescents and adult subjects.

17. 4-Week Cycle Menu Nona’s Garden Menu – Week 1

19. Nutrient Analysis

20. HACCP Food Safety is important to us. A HACCP plan clearly standardizes guidelines on how to prevent biological, chemical and physical hazards from occurring throughout the flow of an operation.

21. We care about the health and future of both pregnant adolescents and their unborn child. “Deliver with peace of mind”