RACINE - Margie Johnson lost three of her children.

She was a young mother: Pregnant the first time at 14, she had her first child at 15. She'd been kicked out of high school in Illinois.

She had two more children and moved to Michigan to be closer to family. Eventually, officials there told Johnson she was an unfit mother and took her children.

She doesn't want that to happen with her fourth child, Rodney. She insists it won't.

For the past two years, Johnson has worked with case workers from Family Smart/Kid Friendly, a program that helps parents learn to parent.

While the program is designed to help parents support, raise and nurture children who will be ready for school, it does more than that.

"Our main goal is that children have success before the age of 6," said Anna VanWey, one of the program's home visitors. "Sometimes we're just there for moral support. (We) give parents the tools to help them better themselves."

The program is a collaborative effort between several Racine County agencies and nonprofit agencies, including the City of Racine Health Department, Next Generation Now, the Racine County Human Services Department and the United Way of Racine County.

VanWey has worked with Johnson since March, when she joined the Family Smart/Kid Friendly program as a home visitor. Johnson is one of 24 clients that she works with. VanWey is one of two case workers.

The home visitation and parent education program is funded by the United Way of Racine County. VanWey works with families providing pre- and post-natal care and information, free of charge.

There is a similar program that serves families in western Racine County.

It's been two years since Johnson and her husband, Rodney, moved out of HALO, the local homeless shelter, and into their own apartment.

In that time the couple had their son, Rodney Jr. Johnson wants to get her son off to a good start.

"I want him to enjoy life. I want him to go to school," Johnson said. "He is not going to be ripping and running with those hoodlums."

At 24, Johnson said her "eyes are wide open." She wants better for her family and she wants to do things on her own. That's a big step, VanWey said.

"Before you can get help, you have to at least try to help yourself," VanWey said. That's where she's assisting Johnson.

Many of VanWey's clients are referrals from county agencies like the Human Services Department or Child Protective Services. The program is voluntary and there are no income requirements.

Johnson cares for her son while her husband is at work. It's nice to have another adult to talk with, she said.

She realized that besides having someone to help her with parenting skills - her mother died six years ago - she would have a real friend to talk to.

The program came at the right time in Johnson's life.

In addition to having to deal with the abuse in her past, Johnson struggles with some mental health issues, for which she seeks counseling.

"A lot of our parents have more than parenting issues," VanWey said. "Sometimes you've got to heal the parent before you can help the child."

More Information

For more information about Family Smart/Kid Friendly East, contact (262) 637-1473 or (262) 637-2979.

The program offers the following services: home visitation, family friendly programs and events, parenting information and parenting classes and workshops.