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About TPN

Built from understanding. Designed for dignity.

A nonprofit walking alongside young parents in suburban Cook County. Here's who we are, why we exist, and the team building this work.

TR PHOTO COMING

A note from the CEO

We believe young parents are designed for purpose.

As the Founder and CEO of Teen Parenting Navigators, I am honored to serve young parents who are working every day to build stronger futures for themselves and their children. This organization was created from a place of understanding, compassion, and lived experience. A belief that young parents deserve guidance, dignity, and real opportunities, not judgment or barriers.

Even in our early stages, the impact we have made together is powerful. We are walking alongside young moms and dads ages 16 to 23, providing support, education, and encouragement as they navigate parenthood.

Teen Parenting Navigators is more than a program. It is a movement that says young parents matter. Their children matter. Their futures matter.

Tanecia Reed, Founder & CEO

A young parent reading with their child in a quiet moment

Our story

Why TPN exists.

Teen Parenting Navigators was founded in 2023 to fill a gap suburban Cook County has lived with for too long. Young parents, ages 14 to 24, were navigating pregnancy, parenthood, school, work, and family without dedicated support designed for them.

Tanecia Reed, drawing from understanding and lived experience, created TPN to walk that road with them. Every program, every conversation, every resource is designed to treat young parents as capable adults building real futures, not problems to be managed.

An Illinois Nonprofit Corporation incorporated December 27, 2023 (File No. 74533051). Free, judgment-free programs. 501(c)(3) status pending.

Leadership

The people behind the work.

Independent voices and clinical expertise alongside the founder. Family ratio is 1 of 5.

Tanecia Reed

Founder, CEO & Chair

Built TPN from understanding, compassion, and lived experience.

Portrait of Sheena S. Reed

Sheena S. Reed

Board Member

CNA and EKG Technician with a 20-year customer service career. Mother of three.

Portrait of Carissa Gillespie

Carissa Gillespie

Board Member

Proviso Township D209 educator and public-education advocate, 25+ years.

Portrait of Jessica Cherry, RN

Jessica Cherry, RN

Board Member

Labor and Delivery Registered Nurse serving families since 2017.

Portrait of Todd Walton

Todd Walton

Board Member

Strategic architect and connector. Director of Experts at The Desire Company.

Impact

Small. Real. Recent.

Numbers as of April 2026.

6
Parents enrolled
100
Thanksgiving meals
800+
Toys distributed
100+
Diapers and essentials
10
Active volunteers
1
Community partner

What we stand for

Four values, lived out daily.

01

Dignity

Every young parent deserves respect, not judgment.

02

Empowerment

We equip parents with knowledge, skills, and resources to lead their own lives.

03

Community

Real support comes from real relationships. We walk alongside, not above.

04

Faith

We believe young parents and their children are designed for purpose.

Partners + Allies

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