"Pregnant" Man Promote Local Parenting Program

Charles DiStefano models the pregnancy belly he plans to wear to raise money for the Missouri Mentoring Partnership.

When the going gets tough, the tough get... pregnant?

That's exactly what Charles DiStefano, local director for Missouri Mentoring Partnership, plans to do March 15-19 to raise awareness and funding for his young parent program. The MMP, which has been funded through a contract with the Missouri Department of Social Services for fifteen years, was not included in Gov. Jay Nixon's FY2011 budget recommendations.

"Just because we're not in the budget doesn't mean the needs we address will go away," stated DiStefano.

Throughout its history, the MMP has operated in a dozen counties. Since 1999 moms and dads from early teens to twenty-one-year-olds have found the MMP's Young Parent Program in Cape Girardeau and Bollinger Counties to be a safe haven where they can receive the guidance to build parenting and life skills that will benefit both parent and child. This is accomplished through participation in parenting classes and interactive, educational group events as well as through the support of trained volunteer mentors.

To become "pregnant," DiStefano will suit up in an Empathy Belly that the MMP offers to program dads who wish to have a taste of what it feels like to be pregnant. The suit is filled with water and weighted down with lead balls for maximum effect. When suited up at a recent parenting meeting, DiStefano was surprised how quickly it took a toll on his back. Even more surprising was the discomfort he felt when he sat down. The suit includes a lead pouch that presses on the bladder when seated. After getting back up and walking around, a mom in the program commented that he was starting to walk like he was pregnant.

The two hour test run will pale in comparison to the next challenge he plans to undergo -- wearing the suit for up to five days, eight hours a day.

DiStefano will wear the suit while completing daily activities at work and in the community, such as grocery shopping. The amount of time he spends "pregnant" will depend on how much people are willing to donate. There is no minimum (or maximum) required for an individual donation, but for every $100 in total donations, the MMP director will wear the suit for 30 minutes. People wishing to make donations can give directly to the MMP, or pledge at http://www.firstgiving.com/communitycaringcouncil.

"I anticipate that this will be the most physically challenging thing I have done since the Marine Corps," said DiStefano, who was Honorably Discharged in 1998.

The goal is to raise $8000. The top five donors will have the option to request he spend an hour doing household chores for them, such as cooking and cleaning, while wearing the suit. That won't be enough to replace the nearly $130,000 the local program received from the state contract in FY10, but it will be a start.

"Young parents need our support, and this is my way of building awareness as well as raising needed funds," said DiStefano.

State officials have stated that the cuts reflect tough decisions that have had to be made to balance the budget and are not a reflection on the program.

"We're no longer in the process of determining bad programs from good programs," Budget Director Linda Luebbering told the Kansas City Star when asked about the budget cuts to the MMP. "All that we have left in the budget are good, worthy programs, and we're picking which of these to reduce or eliminate."

"We're as a point where the decisions being made are not between good and bad, but bad and worse," stated Ron Levy, DSS Director, at a recent budget forum for non-profit leaders.

Cape Girardeau Representative Clint Tracy urged the community to support the MMP in his weekly Capitol Report.

"The reality of the situation is that if you only have $10 you can't fund $12 in programs. This is where the community comes in," he stated. He added that the MMP does "laudable work," and that "the budget outlook is rough and we will be forced to make tough decisions; let's use this opportunity to get involved within our own community."

Other upcoming events sponsored by the MMP include a tricycle race that will be open to all ages. It will take place April 17 at the Show-Me Center Parking Lot.

The MMP is part of the Community Caring Council, a non-profit agency that coordinates community initiatives that empowers individuals and families to meet life's challenges.

For more information on the MMP, visit www.missourimentoring.com or call (573) 332-0066.