[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 41 (Friday, March 9, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E508]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         THE INWOOD HOUSE--NYC

                                 ______
                                 

                              HON. TED POE

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, March 9, 2007

  Mr. POE. Madam Speaker, recently I had the unique opportunity to 
attend an event in New York City with more than 650 people honoring a 
life giving operation for young women. In today's cold vast world it is 
very easy to feel isolated, alone, and forgotten especially if you are 
a pregnant teen or an expectant teen father. To many, Inwood House is a 
safe haven in their endless storm. The Inwood House offers housing, 
medical treatment, resources, and hope to today's otherwise lost 
teenagers.
  The Inwood House was established as a Residence in 1830, to help 
pregnant girls in New York City rebuild their lives. The young girls 
were immigrants, alone, and some were exploited. And in those days 
single pregnant females were often just put in jail. The Inwood House 
became their savior by giving the girls a safe home, an encouraging 
community, and most importantly an education. With their newly acquired 
education the once outcasts of society were able to rejoin the working 
world with their employable skills. Since the early 1800's, the 
founders were vocal advocates for the lost youth. When the world wanted 
to send young unmarried pregnant teens to the penitentiary, the Inwood 
House stood up and fought for their freedom. They won Court approval to 
have the girls referred to the Inwood House, rather than being sent 
away only to be once again shunned by society. The founders believed 
that each girl was a gift and as a gift each had their own destiny, 
they simply needed someone to stand strong for them.
  The Inwood House has continued its innovated vision. In the early 
1900's, when the medical community was desperately trying to get the 
public aware of sexually transmitted diseases, the Inwood House tackled 
the issue head on. They conducted community outreach education on how 
to prevent sexually transmitted diseases. While providing on-going 
family support services to unwed mothers, the founders helped fund the 
Federation of Protestant Welfare Agencies. By accepting young women of 
all races and religions, the Inwood House defied the segregation of 
social services that was customary at the time.
  Inwood House believes that the root of any solid society is a strong 
family. To enable young unwed mothers keep their babies, Inwood House 
raised private funds to create Mother/Baby foster family homes 
while creating the first City-sponsored program. The program showed 
great success in achieving self-sufficiency for the young mothers as 
well as avoiding repeat out-of-wedlock births. Inwood founders also 
believed in holding everyone responsible for their actions, including 
male teens.

  Teen Choice, created by Inwood House, was the first comprehensive 
school-based education and counseling program to include boys. By 
dealing with both sides of the teenage pregnancy epidemic, it allowed 
awareness to be brought into an educational environment. Being the 
first to recognize the young unwed father as a potential resource for 
both the unwed mother and their unborn child, Fathers Count was 
created. Fathers Count is an educational program aimed to teach young 
fathers how to manage their parental responsibilities. When children 
have strong male role models in their lives, the cycle of abandonment 
is broken, leading both the children and the parents to lead a 
healthier life.
  It was my pleasure, along with Governor Tom Ridge and others, to 
honor and hear positive successes for this outstanding program, its 
hard working staff, and the board members of the Inwood House. By 
providing supportive 24-hour care, support and guidance, including pre-
natal care, education, parenting and life skills training, Inwood House 
is able to give hope for a better life. Wonderful board members such as 
Barbara Abadi and Linda Lausell Bryant, to just name a few, help to 
ensure that even today the Residence cares for homeless, pregnant teens 
in foster care, and continues to ensure that the Inwood House is 
internationally recognized as a leader and innovator in youth 
development, teen pregnancy prevention, and family support. Serving 
over 8,000 young people, Inwood House is able to be a beacon for the 
lost. It is my pleasure to honor and support such a life giving 
operation, and wish it continued success as it reaches and addresses 
the desperate needs of society's forgotten children.
  And that is just the way it is.

                          ____________________