The Philomena House provides a safe, loving home for pregnant, homeless mothers, allowing them to choose life. We offer them a real choice: build a life with baby or find a loving, permanent home for the child through adoption. We hope to empower each new mother with important life skills.
The spirit of the House is to give the mother a foundation for life and family. For the unborn child, we want to save him/her from abortion and make a place for that baby in our human family.
An Life Coach and Resiliency Trainer accompanies each guest during her stay and beyond. We also maintain follow-up procedures once a mother leaves us. The Philomena House educational program includes life-skill units centered on the expressed needs of each guest. Local experts teach in areas such as financial management, parenting and job-search skills. To continue in Philomena House, each new guest must demonstrate a willingness to work the program. And she must be employed or enrolled in school.
How the mother benefits:
- achieve trust relationships by enjoying the same volunteers present to her during her journey through Philomena House
- build a predictable pattern for life through receiving kindness, living with structure and accepting help from people
- overcome disorganization by meeting work, financial and educational timelines
- learn decision making skills through homemaking and planning a future
- ensure education and employment by moving toward a GED and learning the job application/interview process
- avoid the negative psychological response known as Post Abortion Syndrome (PAS), with consequent symptoms of guilt, anger, depression, suicidal thoughts, flashbacks, alcohol and drug abuse...and more
Upon entrance, a guest agrees in writing to a structured behavioral contract of house rules. These rules are designed to create a stable, orderly environment conducive to learning and personal growth.
Philomena House is one of an informal network of similar programs locally and nation-wide. We have built on their experience.
What local graduates have said:
"You’re the parents I never had."
"Now I know that people love me, I’ve never had that before."
"You did this for me and you didn’t even know me."
"This is a home where you can be comfortable. It feels like it’s home. It is relaxing with some structure and an encouraging environment. People are here for you - you are not alone.”
“I hope more girls come here if they need a place to live and have their baby."