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Teens browse this list for services in your area. Don’t run away, call for help.NEW YORK AMERICAN CIVIL LIBERTIES UNION (ACLU) : YRights As a Pregnant Or Parenting Teen (2007)]Pregnant or Parenting? Title IX Protects You From Discrimination At SchoolGuttmacher Data: Minors’ Rights as ParentsIf you are facing abuse or threats because of your pregnancy here is a crisis line. http://www.thursdayschild.org/html/about.htm 800-USA-KIDSRESOURCES STATE BY STATE:ALABAMA: Babies First: United Methodist Children's HomeFor teen mothers in foster care.If you are a pregnant teen in Alabama in foster care, ask your case manager, counselor or CASA worker if this program could be right for you.ALASKA Passage House: Passage House907-272-1255 (Call to get help now.)Ages 17–21ARIZONA: Girls Ranch Scottsdale: Girls Ranch - Florence Crittenton.Ask a school counselor, case manager, or CASA Advocate about Girls Ranch Scottsdale.An adult needs to help arrange admission if this program is right for you.Most but not all pregnant teens at Girls Ranch Scottsdale are in Arizona state custody.ARIZONA:The House of El-Elyon:HousingParenting ClassesAges 12–18ARIZONA: Starting Out Right: Starting Out Right | Free Pregnancy Test | Arizona Youth PartnershipCall 520–719–2014 or email [email protected] suppliesARIZONA: Tempe. TeenAge Pregnancy Program (TAPP) / APPP👩‍🎓Educational support.Case management.Counseling.Parenting preparation.ARKANSAS: Compassion House: Get Help - Compassion House479-419-9100 (Call for help.)HousingChristian orientation.Ages: 19 and underARKANSAS: Hanna House: Hannah House of Fort Smith Arkansas479–782–5683 phone or email: [email protected] 13–29CALIFORNIA: (Alameda County) Bay Area Youth Center: Real AlternativesEmail: [email protected] SkillsAges 16–25CALIFORNIA: El Nido Programs - El Nido Family Centers: Teen Family ServicesHome Visits help teens connect to healthcare, education, counseling, financial help employment and childcare.Several locations in Los Angles areaAntelope Valley: Pacoima office at: 818.896.7776CALIFORNIA:Maternity Shelter Program - Home [email protected] Diego AreaAges 18–24CALIFORNIA : (Lake County) Lake Family Resource Center. Teen Parenting/Adolescent Family Life ProgramServices for Pregnant and Parenting teensMust enroll before 19th birthdaCalifornia: Welcome to Mary's Pregnant Teen Shelter .Housing.CALIFORNIA: (Sacramento) Waking the VillageHome Infograph — Waking the VillageContact us about our housing programs: 916-601-2979HousingEducational SupportIntensive MentoringCase ManagementArt, Friendship, Community, CreativityChild Development CenterTravel, Recreation, CampingAges 18–24CALIFORNIA (HOUSING) (North Hollywood.) Youth Volunteers of America Los Angeles. (VOALA) Women’s Care Cottage. Women’s Care Cottage is an Independent/Transitional living program assisting homeless young women coming out of emergency shelters, foster care and probation. Admits women with one infant up to the age of 1 year. Provides up to 18 months – 3 years of housing, case management, counseling, social and cultural activities. Ages 18–21.COLORADO: options for Pregnant or Parenting Teens. Jefferson County Adolescent Pregnancy and Parenting Program (JCAPPP) Jeffco Public Schools. Non-residential. Specialized curricula, job-training, social support. Onsite childcare for teen parents.COLORADO: ttp://ttps://obgyn.coloradowomenshealth.com/health-info/teens/teen-pregnancy-programs Non-residential. University of Colorado/Colorado Adolescent Maternity Program. (CAMP) Specialized obstetrical care for teens. Emotional and social support.COLORADO: (HOUSING) Hope House of Colorado Quote from the website: “Hope House is metro-Denver's only resource providing free self-sufficiency programs to parenting teen moms, including Residential, GED, and College & Career Support programs. Additional supportive services include parenting and life skills classes, healthy relationship classes, and certified counseling, all designed to prepare them for long-term independence.” (ages 16 to 24)COLORADO: Yampah Mountain High School Non-residential, public School-based support for pregnant and parenting teens. High quality Infant and toddler childcare onsite.CONNECTICUT: Noank Community Support Services Clift House. Shelter care for ages infant to 18, either gender. Pregnant and Parenting teens.CONNECTICUT: Young Parents Program Public school-based services for pregnant and parenting teens. High School completion support and ONSITE childcare at High Schools for teen parents. Districts offering the Young Parents Program: Bridgeport, Griswold, New Britain, Torrington, Waterbury, Windham. Contact: Shelby Pons, MSW, [email protected] (860) 807-2126DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA: (Non-Residential) Teen Alliance for Prepared Parenting Specialized Pre-natal care. Education support. Counseling. Teen fathers also served. Ages Served: Adolescents who are pregnant and aged 21 or younger are eligible to enroll at any time during their pregnancy. Young fathers may enroll if they are expecting a child, or if they have a child under the age of five years. Once enrolled, youth may continue to participate in the program until 23 years of age.DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA: http://tps://dcps.dc.gov/page/expectant-and-parenting-students (Non-residential). Expectant and Parenting Students. New Heights. “Supportive case management and assistance with securing services, such as a childcare voucher, WIC, housing, TANF, employment, job training opportunities, college/university admissions and more.” Public High School Programs: The following schools have the New Heights program in their buildings, and can be reached at the following phone numbers:Anacostia, (202) 645-4040Ballou, (202) 645-3400Ballou STAY, (202) 727-5344Cardozo, (202) 671-1995CHEC, (202) 939-7700 ext. 5063Coolidge, (202) 282-0081Dunbar, (202) 698-3762Luke C. Moore, (202) 678-7890Roosevelt, (202) 576-8899Roosevelt STAY, (202) 576-8399Washington MET, (202)727-4985Wilson, (202) 282-0120Woodson, (202) 939-20324. DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA (HOUSING) Perennial Transitional House for Teen Parent23.DISTRICT OF COLuMBIA: HBP Teens Non-residential. Support services and structured classes for pregnant and parenting teens. Case Management and Home Visiting. Centered particularly on the needs of young African-American parents. Multi-phase program. Ages Served:12–2124.DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA: DC Social Innovation Project Non-residential. Teens to Doulas: This innovative program trains teens who are already parenting to serve as doulas for women in the community. The goal is for successful teen mothers to share their skills to reduce the risk factors in the community for other mothers.25. DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA: Teen Parent Assessment Program (TPAP)(Non-residential) Financial Issues: This is an assessment program that evaluates teens for independent living in the D.C. area. Usually, teens can apply for TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) in D.C. , but must be living with their parents to receive this aid. The Teen Assessment program determines on a case by case if the pregnant/parenting teen in an independent or other living situation qualifies for the aid. Service Contact: Teen Parent Assessment Program Contact Phone: (202) 698-6671Contact TTY: 711. If you are unable to get an appointment for the Teen Parent Assessment Program, you may need to get a referral from your school guidance counselor or other social services.26.DELAWARE: Diocese of Wilmington Bayard House27.FLORIDA: (HOUSING) Group Home, Bellview FL, Hands of Mercy Everywhere Hands of Mercy Everywhere. Christian-oriented residence that also offers diverse practical, educational, and therapeutic services to teen mothers. Ages served not specified28.FLORIDA: Hannah's Transitional Living || ANCHORAGE CHILDREN'S HOME || (850) 763-7102 Transitional living apartments for pregnant and parenting young women. Ages 16–2229.FLORIDA: Home Our Mother’s Home. Keeps teen mothers who are in foster care with their children.30.FLORIDA: (Pinellas County) Transitional Living Programs - Family Resources SafePlace2BTOO-Young Moms. (Scroll down the page for maternity services. The first program listed on the page has the same name but is for LGBT youth.) Housing and support. 18 month program. Ages 16–21.31.FLORIDA: Woman to Woman - Children & Family Services Gulf CoasJewish Children & Family Services. Non-residential mentoring and goal-setting for pregnant and parenting teens. No age range specified.GEORGIA: House of Dawn: Changing Lives, Changing Generations770–477–2385Housing👩‍🎓Educational SupportCareer and Life skillsCounselingAges 13–23GEORGIA: Home | The Living Vine Christian Maternity Home.HousingProgram emphasizes strict Christian environment, so possibly suitable only for committed Christians.Hawaii: Hale Kipa: Independent Living Program808.754.9844Emergency ShelterAges 12–17HAWAII: Neighborhood Helping Pregnant and Parenting Teens Neighborhood Place of Puna. Non-residential. Practical, material and emotional support.37.HAWAII: (HOUSING) Mary Jane Home | Catholic Charities Hawaii The Mary Jane Home. Ages Served: 18 and over.38. IDAHO: (and Eastern Washington) Alexandria's House | Volunteers of America Ages Served: 16–20.39.IDAHO: (Burley) Cassia High School Alternative Public High School. Serves teens who would benefit from an alternative school, including pregnant and parenting teens. Childcare for teen parents provided.40.IDAHO: Marian Pritchett School Marian Pritchett School. (Serving pregnant teens since 1964) Public High School for pregnant and parenting teens. Includes Giraffe Laugh Childcare for students attending Marian Pritchett School. Marian Pritchett - Giraffe Laugh.41.ILLINOS: (HOUSING) (Chicago) response-Ability Pregnant and Parenting Program (RAPPP) The Night Ministry operates 120-day housing programs for youth and for pregnant and parenting young mothers and their children. Call toll-free 877-286-2523. Ages 14–19.42.ILLINOIS: http://theharbour.org/successful-teenseffective-parents.html The Harbour. STEPS Program. Individual subsidized apartments for teens and their children. Parenting classes, counseling and case management. Age range served: not specified.43.INDIANA: Maternity Home With A Heart Hannah’s House. (HOUSING.) Faith-based/Christian. Parenting classes, counseling, referrals to community resources, emotional support. Serves ages 13 up. (Website states youngest resident they have served was 13 and the oldest was 43.)44. Indiana: Project Home IndyResidency for Teenage Mothers (Link leads to application page)HousingMedical CareEducational SupportParenting ClassesLife Skills ClassesAges 15 -19 at admission.45.INDIANA: Young Families of Indiana Network Future Promises. Non-residential school-based support for pregnant and parenting teens.46.INDIANA: (South Bend) Youth Service Bureau of St. Joseph County Young Mom’s Self-Sufficiency Program. (YMSSP) Non-residential support services.47. IOWA: Ruth Harbor - Pregnant? Christian orientation. Counseling, midwife care, doula services, recreation, outings. Ages ?-24. Does not specify minimum age.48.IOWA: Transitional Living for Teen Parents United Action for Youth. (UAC) Housing and other supports. Ages 17–21.49. IOWA: Transitional Living Services - Youth & Shelter Services, Inc. - Iowa50..KANSAS: About Us | Wichita Children's Home 1. Bridges. Housing for pregnant and parenting teen mothers 2. Moving on to Motherhood (MOM-Non-residential case management and support.)52. KENTUCKY: (HOUSING)Mother & Baby Home All God’s Children Mother & Baby Home. Faith-based. Nationally Accredited Childcare program onsite provides care for resident’s babies so they can attend school. Support, therapy, classes. Ages 13–21.53.KENTUCKY: (Louisville) Teenage Parent Program Georgia Chaffee Teenage Parent Program (TAPP). Non-residential. Provides support and services to help pregnant and parenting teens complete their high school educations.54. KENTUCKY: 👩‍⚕️ Young Parents Program (YPP.) Non-residential. Specialized obstetrical care, support and counseling. Ages served: Under age 18.55. LOUISIANA: I'm Pregnant. Now What?Phone : (318) 925-4663Crisis Line : (318) 277-9506Email : [email protected] Sanctuary for Women. Faith-based/Christian. Counseling, goal-setting, career planning, parenting classes, life skills and recreation. Participation in religious activities may be required. Onsite accredited education/certified teacher for High School completion or GED. Ages served: 13–23.56. LOUISIANA: Parenting Jus4me. Non-residential. Support and parenting classes for pregnant and parenting teens. No age range specified.57. LOUISIANA: http://ttp://www.lighthouseministriesinc.org/ The Lighthouse Child Residential Center. Faith-based. Cares for pregnant and parenting teens and their children. Licensed to care for children from birth through age 18.MAINE: FINANCIAL HELP: TANF and Teen Parents58. MAINE: rgh Rumford Group Homes Teens are housed in several different apartments supervised by the program and are provided with various services. Ages 16–21.59. MAINE: Crisis Center | Bangor, ME Shepherd’s Godparent Home. Ages served: teens to thirties.60. MARYLAND: Programp=s for Pregnant Teens and Teen Mothers | Hearts & Homes for Youth Damamli. This program is for pregnant and parenting teens in the foster care or juvenile justice system. The program starts the teen in a specialized foster home and later she lives independently with her child, with support from the program in her own apartment. Age range: 16–20.61. MARYLAND: Housing & Support Saint Ann’s: Grace House, Hope House and Faith House. Residence with onsite High School. Ages 13–21.62. MASSACHUSETTS: Programs Bridge Over Troubled Waters. Single Parent Housing. Transitional Housing for teen parents. Does not specify age range served.63. MASSACHUSETTS: (Boston) St. Mary’s Home Faith-based history but apparently no religious requirements or programming for participants. Housing. Case management, onsite high school completion, parenting classes, therapy. Ages 13–21.64. MICHIGAN: Shelter - Alternatives For Girls Provides emergency shelter for homeless teens and their children. Transitional housing program also available. Website did not mention specific maternity care programs offered. Ages 15—MICHIGAN: Eastpointe. Gianna House now open, but the website isn’t up currently. RESIDENTIAL. Ages 13–17. Contact information will be posted here ASAP>65. MICHIGAN: MI Health Family - MOASH Websites provide information on help for pregnant and parenting teens in Michigan. Michigan Organization on Adolescent Sexual Health. (MOASH) PREGNANT & PARENTING TEENS Ages served not specified.66. MICHIGAN: Michigan Adolescent Pregnancy and Parenting Program (MI-APPP) Case Management for pregnant and parenting teens. No are range specified.MINNESOTA: LEGAL RIGHTS OF TEENS: The Rights of Teen ParentsMINNESOTA: A School for Pregnant and Parenting Teens Longfellow High School. Non-residential public high school.MINNESOTA: The Nest: A Maternity Home The Nest. Focuses on ages 18–25 but may accept minors placed by parents. More information soon.MISSISSIPPI: http://mchms.org/pdfs/MCH_Two_of_Us_Brochure_032314_RGB.pdf Two of Us Therapeutic Maternity Home. Full-time licensed nursing staff. Highly specialized intensive care and education for mothers and infants. Ages 10–18.MISSOURI: 👩‍⚕️ https://www.barnesjewish.org/Medical-Services/Obstetrics-Gynecology/Women-Infants/Childbirth-at-Barnes-Jewish/Teen- Pregnancy-Center Barnes Jewish Hospital. Non-residential services, including specialized obstetrical care, classes and support. Ages 17 and under.MISSOURI: Mother's Refuge - Supporting Young Mother (HOUSING). Ages 12-21. Does not appear to focus on excessive religious pressureMISSOURI: Nativity House KC Faith-based. Roman Catholic.MISSOURI: Youth Services - reStart reStart Youth Services. Four transitional housing units for pregnant and parenting teens. Ages 16–21.MISSOURI: Home The Sparrow's Nest. (HOUSING) Ages 19 and under.MONTANA: Blackfeet Teen Pregnancy/Parenting Coalition Teen Pregnancy Parenting Coalition. Non-residential. GED tutoring. Case Management. Peer support. Nutritional Counseling. Childcare. Ages Served not specified.MONTANA: Mountain Home Montana Non-religious, comprehensive program. Housing. Bonnie Hamilton Home. (Group living) Mountain Home Apartments. (Individuals living with child.) Licensed Therapy. 24–7 mental health crisis line. Other resources. Ages 16–29.MONTANA: Nurtured baby, Healthy adult, Strong community Florence Crittenton . (Needs updating)NEBRASKA: CARES. ( info needs updating-program may be closed.)NEBRASKA: Center for Healthy Families Nebraska Mental Health/Project Harmony. Non-residential. Support services for pregnant and parenting teens. No age range specified. (Omaha residents only).NEBRASKA:Teen & Young Parent Program - Nebraska Early Childhood CollaborativeNNEVADA: “Living Grace” website is not available as of 8/15/2019. Will update as I get more information.NEVADA: Pregnant and Parenting Teen Saint Jude’s Ranch. Most residents are youth placed here by state social service and juvenile justice agencies.NEVADA: Contact Casa De Vida. (HOUSING) —More information available soon.NEW HAMPSHIRE: (Littleton)TRANSITIONAL LIVING PROGRAM (HOUSING). Case management, GED/Highschool completion, parenting classes and other services for pregnant and parenting teens and young adults. Ages served 18–21.NEW HAMPSHIRE: Our Place | Catholic Charities New Hampshire Our Place. Non-residential Faith-based. (Roman Catholic) Prenatal, breastfeeding, parenting and other classes and resources for parents of all ages.NEW JERSEY: http://ttps://www.cge-nj.org/program-offerings/adolescent-program/ The Center for Great Expectations (Adolescent Program) (HOUSING) AOther programs for women also available. Licensed Clinical Staff. Ages served: 13–18,NEW JERSEY: Capable Adolescent Mothers Crossroads Programs. (HOUSING) Intensive Long-term program. For General Program Information regarding Crossroads’ programs and services, please contact Michelle Wright at 609 880 0210, ext 109. Ages: 16–21.NEW JERSEY:services and Programs that help young homeless mothers and pregnant women Raphael’s Life House, Inc. Housing, licensed counseling, parenting classes, GED completion and career development. Ages served: Not specified.NEW MEXICO: Catholic Charities of Gallup NM (HOUSING)Casa San Jose. Residential care for pregnant and parenting teens. Ages Served: Not specified.NEW MEXICO: 14 to 17 Information Page Information from Pegasus Legal Services for Children about legal rights of minors in New Mexico, including teen pregnancy and parenting.NEW YORK: Residential Services Catholic Charities Community Maternity Services. Multiple programs: Heery Center-Ages 12–21, focuses on pregnant and parenting girls placed by juvenile and state agencies. Joyce Center is the transitional living maternity home.NEW YORK: Pregnant/Parenting Teens Children’s Village-Inwood House. Age range served not specified.NEW YORK: (Rochester) http://ttp://centerforyouth.net/index.php?cID=89 The Center For Youth. Chrysalis Program. 18 month program. Residential setting for pregnant or parenting young women. Ages 16–21.NEW YORK: Supportive Housing (Brooklyn) Diaspora Community Services/ “Mother’s Gaining Hope”. Federally funded “Maternity Group Home”. (MGH) I have not further details on ages served or its programs at this writing.NEW YORK: SERVICES SUSPENDED DUE TO BUDGET. (Concerned readers please consider donating. )(Niagara region) https://hannahhouse.ca/ Ages: through age 24. No lower age limit stated.NEW YORK: Regina Maternity Services Catholic Charities of Rockville Centre. Housing For pregnant teens and their children. Regina Residence is a structured program with case management. Mary Residence is supported independent living for graduates of Regina Residence. Ages 11–24.NORTH CAROLINA: http://www.angelhousematernityhome.org/admission_information0.aspx Angel House Maternity Home. Minimum Age: 17NORTH CAROLINA: Services for single, pregnant, & non-pregnant teens, women and their families | Florence Crittenton Services | Charlotte, NC Multiple residential programs. Ages 10 and up.NORTH DAKOTA: St. Gianna Maternity Home (HOUSING) Residents required to participate in prayers and attend Mass. Ages Served: Serves minors but does not specify age range.NORTH DAKOTA: Home | The Perry Center Serves minors placed by parents, but does not give age-range. Christian oriented services, apparently placing emphasis on evangelism but also offering life-skills and other practical services.OHIO: (Franklin County) The Center for Healthy Families The Center for Healthy Families. Non-residential. School and Community based services for pregnant and parenting teens offered at four high schools. Services for teen fathers also included. Ages: 13–19.OHIO: (Mentor, Ohio) Pregnancy - Hannah’s Home. Minimum age 18. More information available soon.OHIO: The Highlands - Shelter Care (HOUSING) Residential care for pregnant and parenting teens and their children. Ages 14–20.OHIO: (Columbus) 👩‍⚕️Teen and Pregnant Program Nationwide Children’s (Hospital). TaP. Non-residential. Comprehensive medical care, classes, counseling, referrals for pregnant girls and women ages 21.5 and under.OHIO: WIC (Supplemental food for Women, Infant Children) WIC - American Pregnancy Association\http://file:///C:/Users/17074/AppData/Local/Pa/TempState/Downloads/158843%20(1).pdfOKLAHOMA: Broken Arrow Public Schools Mentoring Healthy Parents (Formerly Margaret Hudson Program). Non-residential. Support for pregnant and parenting teens. Age range not specified.OKLAHOMA: J.A.M.E.S., INC. WEBSITE CURRENTLY DOWN> CHECK BACK SOON> Educational support and college scholarships for pregnant and parenting teens. High School seniors and college students.OKLAHOMA: http://s://www.choctawnation.com/tribal-services/member-services/choctaw-support-expectant-and-parenting-teens-sept Choctaw Support for Expectant and Parenting Teens. (SEPT) Services for teens pregnant with or parenting a Native American child under the age of one year. Must live within the 10.5 county service area of Choctaw Nation. Ages 13–21.OKLAHOMA: (Owassa) Oklahoma Baptist Homes for Children . (HOUSING) (Owassa) Maternity Cottage and transitional living apartments for Mother and Child Program. Participants must attend Southern Baptist church while in residence. Age range served not specified.OKLAHOMA: Transitional Living Program (HOUSING) Housing offered to youth, including pregnant and parenting teens and their children. Ages 16–21.OREGON: Safe Haven Maternity Home Safe Haven Maternity Home.OREGON: Dedicated to helping young mothers Saint Child. Housing for pregnant girls and women and their infants. May stay for up to a year after birth of baby. Faith-based (Christian). Counseling, education, job training, life skills and other supports. Participants are offered bible study and other Christian activities but are apparently not coerced. Ages 14–24.Pennsylvania: (Lansdale) (HOUSING) Home Morning Star Maternity Home. Ages 13–25.Pennsylvania: Maternity & Pregnancy Services - Catholic Charities of Harrisburg PAPENNSYLVANIA: http://ttps://www.valleyyouthhouse.org/programs/transitional-housing/maternity-group-home-mgh/RHODE ISLAND: (HOUSING) (may be for 18 and above only) Little Flower Home - Serving RI & Southern MA - Housing for 'Pregnant Homeless' WomenRHODE ISLAND: About Nowell Leadership Academy (Public Charter High School) For Pregnant and Parenting teens.SOUTH CAROLINA: Help for pregnant and parenting young women in South CarolinTENNESSEE: Comprehensive Resource Center The Hagar Center. Non-residential. Classes, support and material assistance.102. TENNESSEE: http://ttps://mercymultiplied.com/about-us/ Mercy Multiplied. Faith-based/Non-denominational Christian. Residential programs are located in four states for girls including a facility in Nashville, Tennessee. The programs are designed to work with on many issues, including pregnancy. The website states that the program does not demand that the pregnant mother relinquish her child to adoption, however, neither is there any indication of housing or services offered for the mother/child family. Adoption services prominently noted on website. Counseling is strongly centered on Christian teachings, although Mercy Multiplied states that its counselors are Master’s Level or graduate student interns. Counseling process includes/demands “commitment to Christ”. This program might be appropriate for young women who of their own free will wish to pursue Christianity. Ages Served: Unknown at this writing.107. TEXAS: Annunciation House: Apply for Services108. TEXAS: Apply | LifeHouse Houston. Housing and other support. Strong focus on Christian evangelizing. Ages 12 and up. (Other services for non-residential clients also available.)109. TEXAS: Teen Parenting Help - Jane's Due Process Information and support for pregnant teenagers concerning Texas legal rights.110.TEXAS: Viola's House111. UTAH: 👩‍🎓Horizonte Instruction and Training Center. Young Parent Program. Programs Non-residential. High School completion and vocational education with onsite childcare provided by Head Start. Parenting and other skills. Flexible scheduling. Contact Person: Kathy Williams (801) 578-8574 ext. 233.112. UTAH: Teen Mother & Child Program Non-residential. University of Utah/Teen Mother and Child Program. Obstetrical care/Nurse-Midwives. Social and psychological support and referrals for other needed services. Ages served: 19 and younger.113. UTAH: YWCA Of Salt Lake City. Referrals to Transitional Housing. No other details as of this writing.114. VERMONT: Family Literacy Center (Non-residential) Educational center for pregnant and parenting teens and young adults. Infants may attend classes with parents until they are four months old and after that Onsite Nationally Accredited childcare is available full-time. Onsite licensed therapy, parenting and nutrition classes and other social supports. Ages served: High school freshmen age through age 25.115. VIRGINIA: Grace Home Ministries. (HOUSING) Program is long-term and residents encouraged to stay for as long as two years with their babies. Faith based/Christian. Program includes participation in Christian experiences. However, Grace Home states: “We believe religion is a matter of personal conviction; therefore, we don’t put any pressure on program participants in matters of personal faith or beliefs. Mentoring, childcare classes, case management. Ages 1–20.116. VIRGINIA: (Lynchburg) ADOPTION-ORIENTED! Liberty Godparent Maternity Home. Services | Liberty Godparent Home If you have decided for adoption AND you are a Baptist or of a similar faith, you might consider this facility, as its emphasis is on adoption. The program does offer “Mommy and Me” support if you decide on raising your baby yourself, however, the emphasis is clearly adoption. Faith-based. (Baptist) Residents attend Thomas Road Baptist church. Other services from their website: All residents are required to attend school, pursue a GED, or participate in vocational training. Classes are offered off site at Liberty Christian Academy through Liberty University Online Academy (grades 6-12). Tutoring services for GED and SAT exams are available as needed. To help each young lady build a positive future, the LGH staff is committed to educating the residents on Life Skills and other topics such as Decision-Making, Parenting, Adoption, and Nutrition. About Us Overview | Liberty Godparent Home Ages Served: Not specified.VIRGINIA: (Fairfax County) Second Story for Young Mothers - assistance for mothersSecond Story for Young Mothers. (HOUSING) Residential services offered through independent living in townhouses for young mothers between the ages of 18–21. Pregnant and parenting teens between the ages of 16 and 18 receive non-residential community based support, education and services. Follow-up support and case management also offered. 24/7 Crisis Hotline - Call 1-800-SAY-TEEN or text “TEENHELP” to 855-11 TTY 711VIRGINIA: (Alexandria) Keep it 360 | The Alexandria Campaign on Adolescent Pregnancy (ACAP) T.C. Futures. (Non-residential.) From website: The T.C. Futures Group provides parenting meetings and developmental playgroups specifically for Alexandria’s teenage parents and their children. Parents learn about positive parenting skills, child development, and local resources. The group meets every other week after school at T.C. Williams High School. Participation is not limited to T.C. Williams students; all teenage parents in Alexandria are invited to attend. Participation is free, and Spanish translation is available. For more information, contact David Wynne, TC Williams Social Worker, at 703.824.6800.VIRGINIA (Fredricksburg) Mary's Shelter Mary’s Shelter. (HOUSING) Faith-based. Provides residential care for up to three years. Minimum Age: 18.VIRGINIA: Mommy and Me Program. ( A program component of “Youth For Tomorrow”.). (RESIDENTIAL/HOUSING) Faith based/Christian. Intensive program for pregnant teens and their infants. Education for teens at accredited school on campus, health care, parenting classes, in-house therapy and nursing staff. ) Admissions are either by court placement or social service agency referral. Teens may stay until their child is four-years-old. Ages: 12–18.VIRGINIA: (Winchester.) About | New Eve Maternity Home New Eve Maternity Home. (HOUSING). Faith-based/Roman Catholic. Help with education, employment, life skills. Ages served: 18 and above. (?)VIRGINIA: (Norfolk) THIS LISTING NOT ACTIVE CURRENTLY. WILL UPDATE ASAP. Eastern Virginia Medical School. Non-residential. Specialized obstetrical care. Classes, parenting skills, emotional support, transportation to prenatal appointments.WASHINGTON: (Seattle area.) Housing Cocoon House. (HOUSING) Housing for pregnant and parenting teens and their children. (Short -term and long-term.) Support for education, life skills and employment. Ages 12–17.WASHINGTON: (Spokane) Alexandria's House | Volunteers of America (HOUSING). “Spacious historic home”. Mentoring, support, doulas, other services. Ages: 16–20.WASHINGTON: (Spokane)http://ttp://gracesonhousingfoundation.org/ Hope and Housing for Teen Moms and their Children Graceson Housing Foundation. (Housing.) Faith-based/Christian but spiritual activities are left up to choice. This program is strong on community and nurturing. Classes, life skills, and employments skills also offered. Ages 13-18.WASHINGTON (Seattle) 👩‍⚕️ "Family Medicine Residency Teen Pregnancy and Parenting Clinic. (A program of Kaiser Permanente but you DO NOT have to be a Kaiser Permanente member to receive services.) Non-residential. Accepts Medicaid and other insurance. Prenatal care with delivery at Swedish First Hill Hospital. Offers help getting medical care coverage, nutritious food, childbirth classes, parenting classes and well-child care for the baby until two years of age. (Well-child care is only for the babies whose mothers used the Teen Pregnancy and Parenting Clinic for their prenatal care and delivery.) Open Tuesdays and Thursdays. Drop by or call: Kaiser Permanente Capitol Hill Campus, West Building 206-326-2656. On the bus line. Ages served: Not specified.WEST VIRGINIA: Crittenton Services, Inc. A Florence Crittenton program. (More information to follow)WISCONSIN: (Milwaukee) Pregnant and Parenting Youth Program (PPYP). Non-residential public school-based support.WISCONSIN: (Sheboygan) 👩‍🎓 Sheboygan Area School District Non-residential. TAPP/Parenting Lab. School-based support for pregnant and parenting teens. Guidance counselor assists pregnant students with educational plan/ONSITE childcare/parenting lab for teen parents. Classes designed/flexible to accommodate pregnancy related issues. Pregnant or parenting students in Sheboygan contact your school guidance counselor to access these services.

The world is mute about human rights violations by China in Hong Kong and Tibet because there are no gross human rights violations by China in Hong Kong and Tibet.The world is mute about human rights violations by China in Hong Kong and Tibet because there is no evidence of gross human rights violations by China in Hong Kong and Tibet.The world is mute about human rights violations by China in Hong Kong and Tibet because there is no motive for gross human rights violations by China in Hong Kong and Tibet.But there have been gross human rights violations in Hong Kong and Tibet, committed by the United States and Britain, for which we have both motive and evidence:Wrote British Captain Arthur Hadow⁠[2], commander of a machine-gun detachment , “The machine gunners slaughtered the Tibetan soldiers; thirteen hundred died in the massacre. I got so sick of the slaughter that I ceased fire, though the general’s order was to make as big a bag as possible. I hope I shall never again have to shoot down men walking away. Among the Tibetans we killed were the Lhasa General, the military commandant of Phari and Lata and the representative of the Golden Monastery to whose influence and violent hostility the existing difficulties are largely due.”Visiting in 1904, Perceval Landon described the Thirteenth Dalai Lama’s rule as ‘an engine of oppression’ and Captain W.F.T. O’Connor observed, “The great landowners and the priests..exercise each in their own dominion a despotic power from which there is no appeal while the people are oppressed by the most monstrous growth of monasticism and priest-craft.” China Station: The British Military in the Middle Kingdom 1839-1997. By Mark FeltonTibet’s rulers invented degrading legends and stimulated a spirit of superstition among the common people. The Lamaist monk does not spend his time in ministering to the people or educating them..The beggar beside the road is nothing to the monk. Knowledge is the jealously guarded prerogative of the monasteries and is used to increase their influence and wealth. Waddell, Landon, O'Connor, and Chapman are quoted in Gelder and Gelder, The Timely Rain, 123-125.Recently, in an interview, US Ambassador Chas. H. Freeman, Director for Chinese Affairs at the U.S. Department of State from 1979-1981 added this observation:I don’t see any reason why Tibet being part of China should be any more controversial than Wales being part of the United Kingdom. The periods when they were put into that position were about the same..I recall, as probably most people don’t, that the Central Intelligence Agency, with assistance from some of China’s neighbors, put $30 million into the destabilization of Tibet and basically financed and trained the participants in the Khampa rebellion and ultimately sought to remove the Dalai Lama from Tibet–which they did. They escorted him out of Tibet to Dharamsala. The CIA programs in Tibet, which were very effective in destabilizing it, did not succeed in Xinjiang.The US began training Tibetan rebels in the Colorado Rockies and parachuting them into Tibet in 1956 and, after the CIA’s operations officer, Bruce Walker reported⁠1, “The radio teams experienced major resistance from the population inside Tibet.” The CIA’s riots, blessed by the Dalai Lama⁠2 that killed eighty-thousand people in 1959.Mao commented, “If the Dalai Lama is willing to return home and is able to get rid of the reactionaries, then we hope he will. But is it possible for him to change his own world outlook? If he wants to return, he can do so tomorrow..Indian newspaper stories say he plans to return but the two statements he made thoroughly oppose the Central Government and the big family of the motherland and advocate Tibet independence. As a result, he has blocked his own way back home. Even so, we must leave leeway for him by electing him vice-chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress and chairman of the Preparatory Committee of the Founding of the Tibet Autonomous Region.” 1 Conboy, Kenneth; Morrison, James (2002). ”The CIA’s Secret War in Tibet.” University Press of Kansas. ISBN 978-0-7006-1159-1After another failed revolt in 1987 the CIA transferred responsibility for Tibetan programs to its civilian arm, the National Endowment for Democracy, NED, though the Agency returned a decade later to orchestrate a massacre during the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Afterwards, the Tibetan Government In Exile, TGIE, secretly surveyed seventeen thousand Tibetans, asking if they wished Tibet to become fully independent. Four thousand chose the status quo or had no opinion, five thousand answered ‘Yes’ and eight thousand selected limited real autonomy, the option the nobles had rejected in 1951.By 2019 the NED was funding[⁠1] twenty-two Tibetan organizations and supporting TGIE’s claim to rule Tibet, China’s Qinghai Province, a fifth of the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, a third of Gansu Province, two-thirds of Sichuan and a quarter of Yunnan but, other than their impact on Western opinion, this vast expenditure made little impact. Melvyn Goldstein[⁠2] conducted fieldwork in rural Tibet and found that, by 2000, the majority of people had basic good food and housing–a marked advancement over traditional Tibetan standards (though only one of the thirteen villages he studied had electricity and running water, none had improved roads and only seven percent of young villagers had gone beyond primary school). It is therefore highly significant that when Goldstein asked, “Do you have a better life now than your parents did?” ninety percent of those who had experienced the previous regime answered, “Yes.” [1] "Tibet, the 'great game' and the CIA” by Richard M Bennett. [2] Contemporary Tibet: Politics, Development and Society in a Disputed ..Sautman et al.The population, barely one million in 1952, reached three million in 2019 (ninety-five percent Tibetan and ethnic minorities). Grain output rose from one-hundred eighty-three thousand tonnes to a million and hoop houses now provide fruit and vegetables, a previously undreamed of luxury year round. Poverty, twenty-eight percent in 2015, fell to eight percent in 2018, with the remnants scheduled to be freed from poverty in 2019. Here are some recent graduates of Lhasa High:Smallpox, cholera, venereal diseases, typhoid and scarlet fever and tetanus were endemic in 1959. There were no hospitals and barely four medical workers for every ten-thousand residents. By 2018 there were fourteen hundred medical facilities, eight thousand hospital beds and ten thousand medical workers and the average life expectancy had risen from thirty-six to sixty-seven years and the region boasted sixty-two centenarians. Investigators found that maternal mortality fell from five percent in 1951 to 0.175 percent today, infant mortality from forty-three percent to 0.66 percent while life expectancy rose from thirty-five to sixty-eight years–besting neighboring India, Nepal and Sikkim. The College of Ethnic Tibetan medicine has graduated a thousand medical professionals who now staff fifty specialist hospitals and the first Tibetan commercial pharmaceutical manufacturer, founded in 1992, listed on the stock exchange in 2017. Here is downtown Lhasa today:Though overseas Tibetans accuse China of ‘demographic aggression,’ the 2000 census recorded a declining Han population and a US Government⁠1 report concluded, “Family planning policies permitted Tibetans, like members of other minority groups, to have more children than Han Chinese. Urban Tibetans, including Communist Party members, were generally permitted to have two children. Rural Tibetans were encouraged, but not required, to limit births to three children. These guidelines were not strictly enforced.”Tibet’s sixty languages, six ethnic groups and five religions are thriving:By 2000, more than 120,000 titles of ethnic minorities' ancient books had been collected, 120,000 edited and 5,000 published.Zhonghua Dazang Jing, the one-hundred fifty volume encyclopedia of Tibetan studies, was published in two languages.The country’s great epic, Gesar, has been published in Tibetan, Mandarin and foreign languages.Tibetan mural art, thangka (scroll) painting and restoration are flourishing and traditional Tibetan opera is part of August’s Shoton Festival.The Tibetan script was the first ethnic-minority script in China with an international standard and it’s used in fourteen Tibetan-language periodicals and ten newspapers.Tibet has two publishing houses for books and two for audio-visual products, thirty-five printing houses, twenty-three newspapers and thirty-four periodicals.There are two-hundred sixty public art and cultural centers, ten professional art performance troupes, eighteen Tibetan folk art performance troupes and seven hundred amateur performance teams.Each prefecture and city has newspapers in Tibetan and Han Chinese, Tibetan People's Radio broadcasts forty programs in Tibetan and Khampa dialect daily and Tibet TV has been broadcasting around the clock since 2007.The government spent billions renovating the Drepung, Sera and Gandan monasteries and restoring, reinforcing and re-gilding (with a ton of gold from the national Treasury) the thousand-room Potala Palace which welcomes four-million annual visitors.Directly below the Potala Palace, on the corner of Norbulingkha Road, stands the magnificent Tibet Museum, the region’s first large, modern museum, with more than 520,000 artifacts, that attracts millions of visitors. A thousand artifacts on permanent display tell Tibet’s cultural history and features its many religions.International law allows governments to regulate religions to prevent their use as vehicles for violence or separatism and China’s Constitution forbids public religious activities. But since public religious displays are integral to their culture, Tibetans continue to worship publicly.1. U.S. Department of State, "Human Rights Practices in Tibet-2003," .2. China Station: The British Military in the Middle Kingdom 1839-1997. By Mark Felton

Exotic, English spoken - Definitions? It depends of what you regard as “exotic” and “English spoken”.Safe - Physical, Social and for whom. Also, as some have pointed out, the meaning of “safe” varies by culture and profile of the visitor; a single female in some countries, whether she is foreign or native, may not be “safe” from unwanted sexual overtures, or worse; an obvious non-local hiking in regions of conflict where kidnapping for money or political effect would not be safe there - but could be fine in a group or in a large, well-visited city. On the other side, in the USA, a person who speaks Arabic or is perceived as Muslim (including turban-wearing Sikhs or Punjabi), can face real physical danger in some communities or even be forced off of aircraft - for no reason than being themselves.Comfortable - socially or climate wise. If you wish to avoid extreme cold or heat/humidity; you would be limited to either the mild season or climates that are mild year round. If you mean socially, you would best avoid societies where the socio-economic norm is far different (usually less privileged) than your own.I. What is meant by “Exotic”? (Places, People, Attitudes/Behavior, Cuisine, Language, Architecture, Flora/Fauna)Europeans find that politicians who invoke “God” in national affairs of governance, drive-up pharmacies, dry cleaners and banks “exotic”; the French find that US store bread is “exotic” in that it feels like marshmallow and stays fresh for days (versus French bread that is crusty outside and chewy inside but is hard as a stick after half a day, so they shop for fresh bread at least one, if not twice, a day).Assuming that you have never traveled much outside the US and only impression of other lands is from TV or movies, here are some interpretations of “exotic” to Americans:Asian culture, architecture, language, behavior (China, Japan, Thailand, Korea, Mongolia)Anywhere that is not Anglophone as a first language (i.e. not in the “Anglosphere”)Natural features (flora, fauna) and geography that is very unusual to Americans (Australia, Madagascar, Antarctica, underground dwellings, Galapagos)Any place, people, landscape or structures that looks very different but interesting to your experiences (Turkey, India, Laos…)Any cuisine or environment that smells, pleasant ones, very different from your own (India)Any place where the behavior is odd, new or confusing to your own. (Bulgaria, Thailand, Japan, Morocco, France…)II. What is the level of English Spoken/Proficiency that would make travel easy for an American?For those with access to education, English is now the default foreign language studied. However, there is a difference between level of fluency and percentage of locals who speak to a competent level. This has little to do with the use of English as an official language, as many Commonwealth countries do not have the resources to provide universal education and often only the socio-economic “elite” will have studied English to a competent level.Measurement is not simple. Many people can write and read English text, but far fewer can speak English and even fewer can understand spoken English. I am going to use the EFI Proficiency surveys as a guide to places where you would easily find someone who can speak English competently. For that, my cutoff point is a rating of 55 or more on the EFI. However, the EFI maps are incongruous with the “Average EFI” not supported by the national scores; for example, the Asian EFI average is higher than the European EFI average but a far higher percentage of Europeans are very proficient in English.This is a unidimensional test of the ability to understand and produce standard English writing and speech. It does not measure the ability to understand all varieties of “accents” and dialects, nor does it measure the ability to sound like a “native speaker”. All of the following would be “very proficient” but their ability in English is very varied:American immigrants who arrived as adults. Hard to believe that their first language was not EnglishFamke Jannsen (James Bond, Nip Tuck, X-Men) is DutchDiane Kruger (National Treasure, Inglorious Basterds) is GermanNikolaj Coster-Waldau (Game of Thrones, ,Black Hawk Down) is a Dane.Madeline Albright (former Secretary of State), born in PragueMila Kunis (Mrs. Aston Kucher) was born in a part of modern Ukraine but raised in RussiaAmerican immigrants who have lived most of their adult lives in the US but still sound foreign. However, through the decades, they can understand most common varieties of English even if they can only speak “like a foreigner”.Arnold Schwarzenegger, born in AustriaAntonio Banderas, born in SpainBai Ling, born in ChinaDjimon Hounsou, in BeninDepak Chopra, born in IndiaHenry Kissinger, born in GermanyDr. Ruth Westheimer, born in GermanyIII. Which then are Possible Candidate Countries and Zones? (i.e. “exotic” and “sufficiently English-navigable)Asia.High proficiency is widespread in Singapore, Malaysia, Philippines and, in the urban areas and educated stratum, India, all of which use English as an official language, but spoken as a 2nd language. However, some of the most “exotic” nations with ancient civilizations are in Asia and since some have extremely low costs, it may be feasible to hire a full time interpreter and travel to places with fewer Anglophones..There are probably enough people proficient in English in the cities of S. Korea and Hong Kong (English++, Exoticism+) for Americans to have little trouble communicating with locals.Indian Sub Continent. (English ++, Exoticism ++++) Although 1 in 4 humans are of Indocontinental origin, it is a continent of great variety of exoticism. Although a minority (but still a very numerous 140 million!) about 10% of Indians are very fluent in English, visitors in large cities are likely to meet those who are fairly proficient in English. The Indo-continent has divided into separate countries in the 20th Century: India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri-Lanka. , It’s amazing that the sub-continent that is the origin of 26% of humanity is so ill-known that it is regarded as “exotic”.Singapore (English ++++, Exoticism +) is a very recent micro-State is no more exotic than Toronto and I would not make a special trip there as a tourist.Malaysia (English +++) has a mix of Malays (similar to Indonesians), Indian-subcontinental and Chinese; it is a Muslim-majority (60%), English-speaking democracy. Economically successful and politically relatively stable, it has become a prime tourism/shopping destination for Middle Easterners. It is unique in that Sharia Law has been adopted only for the Muslim population.Philippines (English+++) Although for 3 centuries under Spanish rule, it was the 20th Century rule under the USA, in an era of universal education and the birth of mass media, that English became widely spoken as a 2nd language today by Philippinos, while a dialect of Spanish only persists as Chabacano in a small segment of the population. The greatest source of foreign exchange is the export of its human resources who remit funds to family. Philippinos provide care giving, hospitality and labor by the millions on the seas and on land from Asia, the Middle East, Europe and the Americas. Tagalog is fast becoming the most used 2nd language in major cities from Perth to Los Angeles to London to Jeddah. Philippinos, like urban Indians, weave English into their native (Tagalog) conversations from a very young age.Europe.Especially former Eastern Europe can be viewed as “exotic” but even Western Europe is very different for a never-traveled American. Scandinavia and Benelux are places where the overwhelming majority of locals are skilled in spoken English; the Netherlands, for example, have a higher percent (93%) of its population who are “very proficient in English”, more that is apparent in than the USA or Canada!Most Europeans now regard English as an existential imperative and, especially with East Europeans (Estonians, Poles and Slovenians, in particular), the adoption of English has been strikingly dramatic in one generation since the fall of the Soviet Union.In terms of historic architecture and sites, France, Spain and Italy are the countries of most density in World Heritage Sites; so it’s no wonder that France is the most visited nation on earth and Spain/Italy not far behind. East European nations also still have historic architecture but they are often not well maintained, so can be considered “exotic”. Tourism infrastructure (hotels, restaurants, resorts, guides, museums, transport…) is also under-developed in the newer EU members.Turkey (English+ overall, ++ in Istanbul and tourist zones; Exoticism ++++). It is the only stable, secular Muslim-majority (90%+ Muslim) Western-style democracy besides Malaysia (60% Muslim); there are other nominally democratic Muslim-majority nations but either too recent, subject to coups or strong influence of religion on politics and national laws. Although a small part of Turkey (West Istanbul and beyond, 11+ million inhabitants) is in Europe, there is a close relationship with Western Europe. It is a land of past Empires and architectural wonders from the Hadj in Istanbul to the cliff-hewn dwellings in CappadociaMost European countries can be navigated by Anglophone visitors in the large cities. The difficulty is when the locals do not have speech fluency as in Italy, France, Russia, Ukraine, Turkey and Azerbaijan; however, if you are patient, you can usually find someone who can communicate in writing in English in the areas with most visitors.Latin AmericaOnly in Argentina and the Dominican Republic is the EFI over 55. In all other Latin countries, you would be OK in big tourist zones but not be able to get around by yourself outside. Bolivia is not listed but the most spoken first languages is split between Quechua/Aymara and Spanish; although some 75% are indicated as speaking Spanish as a 1st or 2nd language, I suspect that the speech fluency is very varied among those for whom it is a 2nd language.I’m surprised that Panama has a lower EFI score since the US was in the Canal Zone for nearly a century (i.e. longer than in the Philippines) and it is a major trans-shipment and banking center. Perhaps, in the capital that it seems that most speak good to passable English, but outside, there are fewer. They even use the USD paper bills as currency.Although not officially counted in surveys, there are pockets in some Latin American countries where English persists, perhaps as a spoken language dialect even if Spanish or Portuguese is the language of instruction:The Bay Islands of HondurasSan Andres islands of ColombiaCommunities in Brazil (near Sao Paulo) descended from 19th Century southern Americans (Confederados)Communities in Argentina descended from BritonsMiddle East/North AfricaNo country is regarded as having widespread English proficiency but only two are going to be, based on what I’ve read, relatively easy to navigate on your own from a linguistic viewpoint:Despite the strong influence of American Jews in Israel and vice-versa, only 30% of Israelis claim to speak English well. However, Israel is a small country and there will always be someone around who can speak English.Lebanon, the most Westernized of the Middle East nations, is a small country long dependent upon trade and its citizens are long accustomed to acquiring other languages (English, French etc.). They could be viewed as the “Dutch” of the Eastern Mediterranean. While French had been the 2nd language of the elite, especially Christian, part of Lebanon, English is often spoken at a level similar to that of Spain or Italy. Lebanese, despite their relative small numbers, are the origin of the greatest diaspora of Arabs (usually Christian) worldwide from Steve Jobs, Carlos Ghosn (Brazilian ex-head of Renault-Nissan), Carlos Slim (Mexican, the richest man in the world?), Salma Hayek (Mexican actress), Shakira (Colombian pop singer). Even in the Caribbean, Lebanese have made a home such as ex-Premier of Jamaica, Ed Seaga.AfricaThere are insufficient data to provide an overview of English proficiency across the continent. Even in African nations where English is an official language, sometimes a majority of inhabitants lack adequate education so only a thin minority in industry, healthcare, government or the justice system would be expected to be proficient.Of those countries that have enough data, only South Africa and Nigeria would be relatively proficient in English.In addition, tiny Liberia (5 M people), the West African nation created in the 19th Century as a “homeland” for emancipated American slaves has self-described 55% English speakers. With politics dominated by descendants of Black Americans and Caribbeans, there has been a preference for American English type among the native born. Standard Liberian English is a southern US type of English and Antebellum architecture can be seen in the capital, Monrovia.Non-Latin AmericasQuebec (about twice as big as Texas) has 80% of its population that uses French as its first language. Principally in Montreal reside the 5–6% minority who speak English as first language. However, about 40% of Quebekkers claim to be bilingual. So, if you visit the larger towns and cities, you should easily find a bilingual local. Quebec City has some of the oldest European type structure in the continent. Quebec has favored Francophone immigration that has led to communities from former French colonies and protectorates in the Middle East, Indochina, North Africa and Africa adding to the “exoticism” in food.Guyana (former British Guyana, about twice the size of Colorado) is the only South American nation with English as its official and main language. What is exotic is that the population is mostly descendants from Africa (29%) and from the Indian Subcontinent (40%) with the rest of mixed ancestry including Indigenous and European. So you will see Hindu temples and Muslim mosques and taste Indian cuisines. The most known Guyanese is probably Shakira Baksh, wife of Sir Michael Caine.Trinidad & Tobago (about as big as Delaware). The southernmost Caribbean island, Trinidad is the most cosmopolitan island due to a very diverse history and, at various times, its local lingua franca included Spanish, French or English. Geologicallly contiguous with Venezuela, unlike the rest of the Caribbean islands, its economy is largely dependent upon energy resources (oil and gas - not tourism. Although the drop in the price of crude has squeezed coffers, it still has, similar to the Bahamas, the highest PPP per capital GNP of any independent country in the Americas outside of the USA and Canada. In addition, as in Guyana, another Commonwealth nation, there had been waves of immigration from the Indian sub-continent in the 19th Century and from other parts of the Commonwealth. The place names derive from: Indigenous, Spanish, French, English and Hindu. Until about 1950s, there were schools using Hindi, Chineseand pockets of Spanish and French Creole communities; today, all Trinidadians/Tobogonians are educated in British English. The everyday local dialect is an English Creole influenced by French, Spanish and Hindu, but Trinis can “code switch” to standard English (as they do when writing or in an official situation). The island’s diversity means that it has the most holidays in the the Americas (national, Christian, Hindu and Muslim). Besides it Carnival, the religious street festivities of Hindu Diwali and Muslim Eid-ul-Fitr are part of the culture of Trinidad. Trinidad has produced personalities like Sir Vidia Naipaul (Nobel Prize in Literature, fiction), Derek Walcott (Trinidadian Nobel Prize in Literature, poetry), Stokely Carmichael (US Civil Rights activist), Frank Ocean (singer) and Nicki Minaj (US-based rap performer).Jamaica is the largest of the Anglo-Caribbean islands. Unlike Trinidad, it has largely been under British rule over the Colonial era and over 90% are Black. Despite those “statistics”, the most famous offspring of Jamaicans include those of mixed race: Bob Marley (British Jewish immigrant father), Naomi Campbell (25% Chinese?), Tyson Beckford (half Chinese [parent), Grace Jones (unspecified mix), ex PM Ed Seaga (Lebanese father, mother of mixed “race” African, Scottish and Indian),Belize (about the size of New Jersey) was formerly British Honduras. It is the only country in Central America where English is the majority and official language. However, the borders are porous and perhaps 40% of residents speak Spanish or an Indigenous language; otherwise, the local English dialect resembles West Indian English varieties.St. Pierre et Miquelon are an archipelago of islands off the coast of Newfoundland that are French Overseas Territory; they use the euro.French Guiana (as big as S. Carolina). This a full département of France has a very small population mostly on the coast and is known for the main launching pad of the European Space Agency at Kourou (taking advantage of the equatorial location and predictable weather) and for Devil’s Island, depicted in the book/films “Papillon”.Martinique and Guadeloupe are both départements of France and there is a lot of tourism from metropolitan France. Since they are part of the EU, many items are imported as they must comply with EU standards. Tourism and civil service are major economic drivers but the two islands face chronic deficits met by transfers from metropolitan France. The infrastructure and public service in the islands is probably the best overall in the Caribbean.Suriname (bigger than Georgia). Former “Dutch Guyana”, this independent nation is “exotic” in that Dutch is its official language, spoken by 60% of Surinamers, but English dialects are a lingua franca. Most people you come across in Paramaribo, the capital, would be competent in English. The population is very diverse with ancestors from India, Europe, Indonesia, China and Africa. Groups of Africans escaped slavery and took up life in the jungle where several “tribes” now have some autonomy.Sint Maarten The island of St. Martin is divided between 2 countries, France and an independent country in the Dutch kingdom. The north side is “Saint Martin” (seh mar-TEH’) and the south side is Sint Maarten (sint MAR-tuhn):Saint Martin (France) uses the euro and is part of the EU. Sint Maarten (Dutch Antilles) is independent, outside of the EU and uses the Dutch Antillean Guilder (not the euro as in the Netherlands) However, due to tourism, the USD or euro is accepted throughout the island.However, there has been a lot of undocumented migration working in the tourist-heavy economy with the result that the lingua franca is an English-based Creole. although the language of instruction is French in the north where many would speak French as a 2nd language. Few residents of the Sint Maarten side are educated in Dutch that only a small percent speak well.