Ex-Teen Mom Tries to Raise Awareness

Jeannette Frescas was a teen mother. So was her mother. And both of Jeannette Frescas’ children had their own kids before they were 20.

Now, Frescas’ dream of helping prospective teen parents has come true in the form of Paramount Publishing, a company she formed to publish Teen-Parent Awareness magazine, a project that involves students in the teen parenting class at Rio Mesa High School.

Frescas, 39, divorced her high school sweetheart at 23 and attended beauty school at her mother’s request--receiving welfare for one year to pay the bills--although she dreamed of modeling or acting. Through perseverance, she landed a job at a modeling studio.

Her mother, 59-year-old Angie Frescas, was divorced three years ago after 41 years of marriage. “We did things backward. We were so busy trying to give our children a better life, we missed a lot,” said Angie Frescas, who was barely 16 when she gave birth to her first child in 1956.

She said the three generations of teen parents in her family have survived because of mutual support.

Jeannette and Angie Frescas offer advice to teenagers who are parents: Never stop dreaming, and get an education.

“Don’t look for love outside yourself, stay abstinent and know your worth,” Jeannette Frescas said.

Jeannette’s daughter Jonelle, who became a mother at 17, has since split up with her boyfriend, but says that her daughter Raquelle’s time is divided between her parents, school, pageants and ballet and karate classes.

Angie Frescas said girls who are pregnant should find their talents “and go for it. Just because you have a child, don’t let it stop you from pursuing an education,” she said.