Coley just wrote a post about Refuge House which is located in Marion, Illinois. This house helps young mothers learn how to parent well. This article stated that women had come to stay at this facility from as far away as Mexico and Florida. I suppose that may be an indication of how atypical this type of facility may be, and how few other such facilities exist.

Refuge House allows young mothers with one child to stay for up to two years. During that time, the mothers are given valuable parenting and life training. Young mothers can profit greatly from such a program.

In Pasadena, we have a similar facility called Elizabeth House.

Elizabeth House is a shelter for homeless women and their children. Located in Pasadena, California, Elizabeth House provides a safe home, support and hope for women who find themselves pregnant and in a time of crisis.

Elizabeth House is structured somewhat differently than Refuge House. It provides temporary help for pregnant women. Young women come to Elizabeth House when pregnant, often with a child or two. They can only stay a few months after the birth. However, follow-up and transitional help is provided for the young mothers.

Know of any such facilities in your area? If so, please email me at: firstparentblog2@adoptionmail.com. I would love to find as many such places for young women and babies. I am compiling a nation-wide list to include resources for pregnant women considering their options and would love some in-put.

Adoption can be the best option for a woman and her child, but there is little chance that she will feel comfortable with that decision if she has not fully explored her other options, including parenting. Birth mothers who are least at peace with their adoption decision are those who made their decision based on flawed or inadequate information. The parenting option needs to be fully explored in order for most women to make a valid decision between parenting and adoption.

Further Resources:

How to Educate Yourself About Parenting

Making an Informed Decision




Photo by Jan Baker - Union Station - Los Angeles