What does housing look like for the pro-life community at this time?  We estimate there are 400 maternity homes in the country, in all shapes and sizes.  The average home houses four to eight young women, but some hold higher numbers.  There are not homes in every state, but some states have several homes.

Jim and Anne Pierson had the privilege of founding a home in Pennsylvania (House of His Creation) in the early 1970’s.  It is still running today.  They started as houseparents, and at first ran the home by themselves.  Eventually, they became licensed in the sate of Pennsylvania to serve minors and added additional staff so they were no longer the only two running the program.  By the time they left in 1984 to form Loving & Caring, Inc., they were running three homes.  Two of these homes were maternity homes and one was an aftercare home fore women who had placed for adoption.

Today, the program has two homes: a maternity home and single parent program.  The maternity home houses six young women at a time, and the single parent program houses four young women and four children.  In the single parent program, girls may stay up to two years.

 

Maternity homes are for women who are pregnant.  They will sometimes allow women to stay for a short time after their pregnancy.  When you are looking for a home, you want to make sure it provides a well-rounded program that includes classes on parenting and adoption.

 

Single parenting homes place a strong emphasis on becoming good parents and helping young women finish their education.  There are standards of care for their children and special activities for the young women and their children (park outings, swimming, etc.).

Some programs for single parents have apartments.  These usually work better for older women or women who have already been through another program and have shown the ability to be responsible.

Extended families are situations where private homes take in young women with or without children.  These homes are generally for women who are 18 and over.  You must be very careful about placing underage women in private homes because of liability issues.  If you have families who are willing to do this type of housing, make sure they are fully trained.  Make sure you can provide a support system for the families as well as for the young women.