How To Help A Mom And Baby

Transcription

1 Spring 2013 The Delivery Room Dear Friends of Maggie s Place, What does it mean to leave a legacy? Simply stated, a legacy is anything handed down from the past. And how does leaving a legacy have anything to do with Maggie s Place? The answer, I believe, lies in an examination of the past twelve years. In only thirteen years, Maggie s Place has gone from one home to four (hopefully five this year) and has grown from five faith-filled, courageous young women to more than 120 staff, all committed to Catholic social justice put into real practice. The ministry has gone from offering a house of refuge to the very first Maggie s Place mother and child to serving more than 550 women. Yes, Maggie s Place is creating a legacy every day, with every mom, baby and staff member who enter our homes. As we journey together this Lenten season, we are all asked to look within ourselves in various ways and to ask how God is calling to us in a personal way. May I suggest we simply ask how we acknowledge those around us who may not have all the material blessings we have? Many of us have been conditioned to walk past a hungry person, attempting not to make eye contact, and later feel shame that we did nothing to help them. At other times, we may feel some guilt, and knowing we are called to do something, reach into our pocket for some change or small bills. But then, we realize we need to do something more, so we choose to buy them a meal, thus ensuring the cash we might have given provides actual nourishment. Well done! we say to ourselves. But how many of us will buy two meals, and then sit and share that meal with our hungry brother or sister? Such an action would recognize the dignity of the human person in a truly meaningful way. Such a step would indeed be the social justice we profess put into action. But no one said it would be easy. Our foundress, the inimitable Mary Peterson, reminded us only recently: Unconditional love is not for sissies. The unconditional love expressed by the staff and volunteers toward the moms and babies who cross the threshold of any Maggie s Place home is the legacy of our ministry. When you donate your time or contribute financially, you are part of that legacy. May God bless you as you bless others. Sincerely, John Scola with Mary Peterson John A. Scola, CFRE Interim Executive Director Did you know what our moms achieved last year? Take a peek at our 2012 data! 2012 Employment, Education & Savings Data Employed at Move-in 8% Employed at Move-out 25% Formally increased education at Maggie s Place 42% Average Savings at Move-in $8.22 Average Savings at Move-out $283.95

2 Maggie s thrift Job Training Participants Achieve Goals Since Maggie s Thrift opening in 2011, the Job Training Program has been a popular option for moms who wish to increase their job marketability. The program has five levels, beginning with entry level tasks and ending with mastering the register and assisting the manager in opening and closing. There are currently seven job participants enrolled. Below, we celebrate the progress they are making as they move towards independence! Christine is working on an associate s degree and taking a parenting course as she completes the Job Training Program. She is also a new resident at Maggie s Place La Casa de la Madre transitional apartments. She is about to graduate from the Job Training Program and take on supervisor responsibilities. Christine s story is featured on page 6. Lillie is applying to transitional housing. She is moving through the program s job levels quickly. April has a part-time job, and hopes to build additional skills by training at Maggie s Thrift. She will soon advance to the last level of the program. Fernie is also applying to many transitional housing programs in the Valley to provide stability for her children. She has proved to be a quick learner at Maggie s Thrift. Nichole, an alumna mom, is keeping her résumé current as she achieves goals through a transitional housing program at another agency. Megan, also an alumna mom, is completing the Job Training Program while pregnant with another child. She works part-time in addition to participating at Maggie s Thrift. She is eager to keep the store organized and running smoothly. As we continue to help moms accomplish their career goals, Maggie s Thrift hopes to build relationships with businesses who could hire graduates of our Job Training Program. These graduates would come highly recommended and have at least five months of training experience in a retail setting. Please contact thrift@maggiesplace.org for more information on partnering with us in this way. 2 The Delivery Room Spring 2013 PO Box 1102 Phoenix, AZ @maggiesplace.org The Fiat House Coordinating Office Phone: Fax: John Scola, Interim Director Chariti Stern Kim DeMeritt Jeff Fuentebella Kristen Masloski Kristin Sanders Annie Metzger Megan Pena David Kriegl Roseann Dennery Kristi Coulter Stacey Novak Vicky Sweeney Maggie s Thrift Phone: Sarah Morrison, Manager Cassie Hidalgo, Asst. Manager The Magdalene House Phoenix, AZ Phone: Fax: Lucy Ricketts Amanda Cup Malia Furtado Laura Hurtubise Valerie has a part-time job, is working towards a bachelor s degree and lives in the La Casa de la Madre transitional apartments. She continues to keep herself busy on the weekends by training at the store to expand her résumé. Maggie s Thrift East McDowell Road Phoenix, AZ Hours: M-F: 10:30am - 5:30pm Sat: 10:30am - 3:00pm Maggie s Place Looking for a unique way to support the moms and babies at Maggie s Place? Shop or donate your gently used goods to Maggie s Thrift, where all proceeds benefit Maggie s Place. Maggie s Thrift will pick up furniture items in good condition. Call to schedule. Same-day deliveries not available. The Elizabeth House Tempe, AZ Phone: Fax: Julie Lotz Sarah Waggoner Allegra Bisbee Jennifer Nipp The Michael House Glendale, AZ Phone: Fax: Jamie Stall Teresa Gill Carol Conaghan Alyssa Wappes The Zechariah House PO Box Parma, OH Phone: Fax: Tricia Kuivinen, Regional Director Christine Nowak, Counselor Erin Valencia Peggy Adams Jasmine Herak Jocelynn Ricard Lianna Mueller

3 Ohio Safe Haven by Tricia Kuivinen, Regional Director, Ohio There s a popular Nicholas Sparks book and movie out now called Safe Haven ; it s the story of a young woman who bravely escapes an abusive situation and eventually finds safety and love in a new community. That hopeful theme is echoed in the life of current Maggie s Place mom Dana and her daughter Miya, who also found safety and love in a new community by coming to The Zechariah House. Dana found out about Maggie s Place online, when she was seven months pregnant and being discharged from an inpatient drug treatment program. I had no place to go, and they didn t want to discharge me because I was still homeless, Dana said. But thankfully, I found Maggie s Place. Though she was relieved to have a place to go, Dana wasn t sure what to expect. Photo courtesy of Unique Elegance Photography I was so scared at first; I was used to sleeping on a mat in shelters or living in a facility with other people who were addicts; I wasn t sure if it would work out or if I could relate to the people. I was really surprised at how nice it was. It was such a relief to have even the simplest thing, like a clean sink down the hall to brush my teeth in. I was used to cleaning up at a Burger King. Dana s road to addiction and homelessness was a painful one. Her family was so disrupted by multiple traumas that Dana was eventually left alone in her parent s house at age 15, working and going to high school while also caring for her two younger siblings. She managed to graduate from high school, care for her siblings and find work in construction, but eventually one of her parents returned to the house. The siblings, now adults, were all told to leave. By this time she was well into drugs and had trouble keeping an apartment. She quickly found herself homeless, addicted and pregnant. Her pregnancy was a powerful catalyst for change. I had to get treatment, said Dana. I know in my heart that if it wasn t for Miya, I d be dead. Dana completed an intensive 6-month inpatient detox program prior to arriving at The Zechariah House and has maintained her sobriety throughout her stay. Baby Miya is five months old and healthy, and Dana continues to attend outpatient rehab and is focused on her future. She hopes to use her previous construction experience to work at Home Depot and eventually open her own home renovation business. I finally feel like I have my life together, Dana said. Before I came to Maggie s Place, I was scared every day. But I am not taking anything for granted now. The Zechariah House has helped me to feel safe; I know that I have food to eat, where I am sleeping, and I don t feel scared anymore. The staff stays on top of me, and I really need that. After being here, I know that Miya and I are going to make it, she adds with confidence. Save the Date for Ohio Events: Sunday, June 23 First Annual Maggie s Place Ohio Golf Scramble Fowler s Mill Golf Course, Chesterland, 1pm Shotgun Start Foursomes & individual golfers welcome Price and how to register: TBD Saturday, Sept. 14 Masquerade for Maggie s Place: Revealing the Magic of Motherhood Event The home of Richard and Terry Debacco, Novelty, OH $100 per person/$150 couple RSVP: TBD Saturday, Oct. 12 Fourth Annual Race for Maggie s Place - Ohio 8am to noon at the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo NEW for 2013: 5K run and family cookout after the race Registration begins online May 1st To sponsor the Ohio Race, call Tricia at or tkuivinen@maggiesplace.org Please follow Maggie s Place Ohio on Facebook and Twitter: Maggie s Place Ohio/The Zechariah House The Delivery Room Spring

4 13 Years of Leadership: At the young age of 22, Mary Peterson had a vision to create a home that would welcome expectant women with no place else to turn. More than 13 years later, Maggie s Place has flourished into an established organization of four (soon to be five) homes that has welcomed over 550 women and their babies. This timeline provides an overview of several key events that were significant during Mary s servant leadership. Although Mary stepped down from leadership of Maggie s Place in February of this year, her legacy and compassion continues to propel the spirit behind our work. 2000: May (Mother s Day): The Magdalene House opens; Co-founders, including Mary Peterson, move in with first five mothers 1998: The idea for a home for Maggie s Place is birthed in the heart of Mary Peterson; God brings together the other four founders and planning begins 2002: August- Mary is given the honor of naming a Maggie s Place baby 2005: January- The Elizabeth House opens in Tempe, AZ 1999: An abandoned house in the Garfield Historic District is offered to Maggie s Place; construction begins 2001: Through divine providence of a donor gift, Maggie s Place acquires La Casa de la Madre apartments next to The Magdalene House April- The First Baby Shower occurs, which has now grown into the Miracle of Motherhood event July- Mary meets Jean Fox, pioneer member of Madonna House 2003: July- Becky Most Scholarship Fund established after the loss of Becky to an automobile accident; over 200 educational scholarships have been awarded to-date 4 The Delivery Room Spring 2013

5 A Tribute to Mary Peterson 2008: October- The Mary House opens in Idaho October- First Race for Maggie s Place 9K November- Mary is named Athena Young Professional finalist 2006: February- Mary is named December- House fire occurs 40 under 40 in the Phoenix at The Magdalene House; Business Journal significant renovations take April- The Fiat House opens, place to reopen August : April- Mary meets Jean Vanier, founder of L Arche 2012: May- The book, Maggie s Place: Building a Community of Love, is published June- Mary becomes founding member of the National Maternity House Coalition May- Maggie s Place celebrates 500 moms served December- 287 babies have been born to Maggie s Place, including 8 sets of twins serving as the administrative offices for Maggie s Place 2011: 2007: March- The Michael House opens in Glendale, AZ May- Faith, the 100th baby, is born at Maggie s Place 2009: June- The Zechariah House opens in Cleveland, Ohio Oct- Mary Peterson named Woman of Excellence by Phoenix Woman magazine November- Mary is named Virginia G. Piper Fellow Maggie s Place budget breaks $1 million January- MP staff move to the Fiat House property; renovations for Mom s Outreach and Training Center begins March- Maggie s Place asked to be founding member of Caritas in Veritate 2013: February- Mary steps down from leadership; Mary E. Peterson Tribute Fund is established Property acquisition begins for The Hannah House, the fifth Maggie s Place home September- Maggie s Thrift opens For more details behind the beginnings and growth of Maggie s Place, please visit our website to purchase the book, Maggie s Place: Building a Community of Love. The Delivery Room Spring

6 Arizona Moving Mountains by Kristi Coulter, Director of Communications When faced alone, pregnancy, at any stage of life, can be frightening. Like many of us, Maggie s Place mom Christine didn t have the perfect past, but her determination to correct her mistakes is producing unmistakable change in her and her son s lives. A California native, Christine married young and had three children. Her marriage was hit hard after her youngest son passed away, and she became divorced soon after. When Christine first discovered she was pregnant again her first thought was guilt, as she was still struggling with a six-year on-and-off addiction to cocaine. It s the devil s drug, she recalls soberly. Additionally, Christine s brother had adopted her daughter years before, and she felt ashamed to tell him that she was going to have another child. Unemployed and living in her oldest son s apartment, Christine searched for a place to go that would provide the assistance she needed and give her support to stay sober. She called a Maggie s Place home, and moved in shortly after. Sadly, Christine lost custody after giving birth to her son Matthew due to mistakes Photo courtesy of Photography by Shyla that happened early in her pregnancy prior to coming to Maggie s Place. But she has not lost hope. In the Maggie s Place Community Covenant we recognize that great strength can develop out of pain, and that God longs to provide healing. Christine has demonstrated this strength and has worked tirelessly to regain custody of her son by making steps to rebuild her own life. I knew what I had to do, she says. Affected by the destructive nature of drugs, Christine made a firm commitment to remain sober, and has stayed so since moving into Maggie s Place. I want to be clean, not only for me or Matthew, but also for my oldest son. I have to be a good role model for him. Christine is also looking for a job, and in the meantime, has participated in Maggie s Thrift Job Training program. Here, she builds retail skills like pricing, creating store displays, and customer service. She plans to complete the program soon, and will be awarded free furniture from a partnering local store. Her determination doesn t stop there. Christine was recently accepted to Rio Salado College and is taking online classes towards a degree in Counseling. Her long-term goal is to get her Master s Degree in Family Marriage Therapy. I ve been told all my life that I should be a counselor. I stopped being against it and started to do it. Christine is moving into the La Casa de la Madre, Maggie s Place transitional apartments, where she will live with another Maggie s Place alumna mom and child and continue to receive support. The best news of all came earlier this month, when Christine regained physical custody of her son. She is also reestablishing other family ties: I want to build enough trust with my brother to see my eight-year-old daughter. I gave it to God. I prepared myself for the worst and prayed for the best. And now we ve started ing. That s progress. MissionCorps Members take part in day of service Our MissionCorps Members are eager to serve in and outside of our homes. Maggie s Place AmeriCorps volunteers participated in the AmeriCorps National Day of Service by volunteering at Elmcroft Assisted Living and writing thank you cards to resident veterans. Maggie s Place currently has 15 MissionCorps Members who are participating in the AmeriCorps program. AmeriCorps volunteers commit to a year of service, and are awarded an AmeriCorps Education Award at the end of their term. We are currently accepting applications for summer and one-year commitments. For more information, visit our website maggiesplace.org or missioncorps@maggiesplace.org. 6 The Delivery Room Spring 2013

7 Volunteer Spotlight By Carol Conaghan, MissionCorps Member Each fall and spring, Maggie s Place homes are blessed with the dedication of interns from the local community. Since August of 2012, Aaron has been a consistent presence at The Michael House. She is completing an internship as part of her Master s Degree in Early Childhood Education. This internship at Maggie s Place fulfills the service learning component of the program at Arizona State University. Though a requirement for school, volunteering at Maggie s Place is one way Aaron fulfills her passion for working with children. Aaron s background is in early childhood development, and she has worked in the field professionally for the past 13 years. She is currently employed by Maricopa County Early Head Start, an early intervention program for low-income and teen families, where she works alongside families who have an infant or toddler with developmental delays. Spending time at Maggie s Place complements her job with Early Head Start because it allows Aaron to see intervention from the perspective of the parent, in the home environment. Her knowledge in the field of early childhood development truly impacted The Michael House mothers. One of Aaron s primary roles as a volunteer is providing house coverage and babysitting. In these daily interactions, Aaron has been able to share her expertise with the moms and witness them take her advice to heart. Whether assisting with a transitional housing application, answering questions about breastfeeding, or explaining the importance of reading to your baby, Aaron is the go-to person! When asked about her favorite Maggie s Place moment, Aaron recalls a time when the moms cooked for her: the most memorable time was when the moms encouraged me to try ceviche. I don t usually eat seafood, but this reminded me to be open to new experiences! Maggie s Place is grateful for Aaron and the hundreds of other volunteers who offer their time and skills to enrich the lives of the moms and babies living in our homes. Honor your mother this Mother s Day, May 12th! Honor Your Mother and Honor All Mothers with a unique card from Maggie s Place. Visit to preview the NEW 2013 Mother s Day card. This year s card features insight captured from Maggie s Place current & alumnae moms in response to the statement: Motherhood is. For a $5 minimum donation, Maggie s Place will send this year s card (or select from previous year s designs) to the mother(s) you designate. Or, honor the life of a late mother and our community will remember her in our prayers and deliver her Mother s Day card to a new mom at the Maggie s Place home of your choosing. 100% of proceeds from the Honor Your Mother cards benefit the mothers of Maggie s Place. Thank you to St. Joseph s Hospital & Medical Center for generously underwriting the materials and printing and to Mantled Catholic Clothing for donating the graphic design work. Save the date for the Maggie s Place Miracle of Motherhood celebration on April 19th, 2013! This block party-themed event will feature an interactive streetmosphere setting, and will include all of the things you ve come to enjoy from our signature MOM event: Live auction, featuring exclusive packages Drawing to benefit the Becky Most Scholarship Fund Basket drawings for fantastic prizes Food and drink samplings from fine Valley restaurants And much more! We look forward to celebrating with you at a new location, The Venue Scottsdale, located in Old Town Scottsdale. For more details and sponsorship information, please contact Kim at or her at kdemeritt@maggiesplace.org. The Delivery Room Spring

8 Non Profit Org US Postage PAID Phoenix, AZ Permit No PO Box 1102 Phoenix, AZ Return Service Requested Maggie s Place Inc. is a 501(c)(3), tax-exempt organization with the ID# Maggie s Place Arizona and Maggie s Place Ohio exist as supporting organizations. Please contact us for additional information. Maggie s Place helped me when I thought my life was at its worst. They gave me and my baby a safe and beautiful place to live, full of love and the tools to get back on my feet. Since leaving Maggie s Place I have gotten my own three-bedroom apartment, and I ve started college. -Sonia