Our Plan
The Divine Mercy House is primarily for women over the age of 18 facing an unplanned pregnancy, with little or no help available to them. This age group is the most at risk of ending a crisis pregnancy in abortion due to lack of family and social support.
It is also recognized that this population may include women with children and as such the home has been designed to accommodate a mother with a child under five. An expectant mother may plan on raising the child or placing the baby with adopting parents. Adoptions will be facilitated through Catholic Charities.
We anticipate serving 5-10 women per year, with an average stay of six months.
The Divine Mercy House operates with a limited paid staff relying on a large core of volunteers for many support functions. Paid positions include a full time Resident Director and a part time Executive Director. They are responsible for the day-to-day function of the house, with support from the Board of Directors.
The Executive Director and the Resident Director have been established to meet the following Program Goals:
- To promote the women’s choice to give life to her unborn baby and establish an environment wherein that choice may be realized;
- To facilitate personal educational success to enhance the mother’s ability to achieve financial independence;
- To teach new skills that will carry the women for life, outside the Home; and
- To develop self-esteem, strong character and spirituality leading to better life-style choices and breaking the cycle of crisis pregnancies.
The strategies for achieving the above program goals include focusing on:
- Health care issues including assisting residents with applications to Medicaid; use of volunteer medical professionals; and teaching the women proper nutrition for them and their babies.
- Education and Job Training so the women can obtain a GED or college diploma; provide mentors in certain subject areas; develop specific job-seeking skills; and preparation in personal presentation to ensure a professional appearance.
- Practical Life Skills such as encouraging proper health and exercise during pregnancy; baby care coaching; developing skills needed to maintain a household budget and cooking skills; improving communication skills for living in the Home as well as in the work place; and assisting with life-planning and goal setting.
- Spiritual Development such as encouraging the women to attend weekly religious services; promoting daily and weekly gathering for prayer and bible study; and create a faith-based environment where God is central to their lives.
