Displaying items by tag: maternity homes

by Valerie Harkins, Director of the Maternity Housing Coalition

After a busy spring and summer traveling to maternity homes across the country and internationally, and meeting with ministry leaders, my season of travel has come to an end. What a journey it has been! Over the past six months, I’ve visited 14 homes, trained with more than 75 housing staff members, and consulted with 132 maternity housing leaders. I am deeply humbled by the spirit of generosity and humility that defines the culture of maternity housing. You, the leaders who welcome women into your homes, continue to inspire me. I am grateful for all I’ve learned from you as I remain a dedicated student of this important movement. Thank you!

A Surprising Shift

I’ve returned home equipped with new strategies and insights on the latest trends in maternity homes—trends that serve as a forecast for what many homes may soon experience. One of the most concerning trends is the rising number of residents considering—and in some cases choosing—abortion while living in the home. This has been a surprising shift, as maternity homes have traditionally served women who had already decided to continue their pregnancies. But times are changing, and as strong and resilient maternity homes committed to fulfilling our missions, we must adapt as well.

We are seeing that residents may consider abortion even after moving into the home and declaring their decision to continue their pregnancy. Sometimes this is a private struggle due to fear of judgment, but in some cases, residents openly express their indecision. Leaders in maternity housing have observed this shift as access to abortion becomes easier overall with the abortion pill, varying legislation in states, and as social acceptance or even praise of abortion has grown.

In cases where residents have chosen abortion while living in the home, this decision is often made in secret, particularly when it involves a subsequent pregnancy. Common reasons residents report for choosing abortion in secret include fear of losing their place in the home, fear of disappointing staff, or feeling overwhelmed at the thought of having another child. The abortion pill is the most commonly used method, as residents report that it’s accessible even in states with restrictive abortion laws. In less common cases, residents have chosen surgical abortions when the pregnancy is too far along for the pill. These decisions are usually kept private until after the abortion has occurred, and residents often speak about their experiences only when they struggle with unexpected grief and emotional pain—feelings they may not have anticipated given the largely positive messages about abortion they’ve heard from the media.

A Path Forward

A recurring theme among these residents is fear, confusion, and silence. In many cases, staff members have found that talking more openly about abortion can ease the tension and even help residents begin healing. This signals a new era for maternity homes, where we must be prepared and confident to have these difficult conversations and make abortion a topic that can be approached with love and compassion.

As housing staff become more comfortable discussing abortion, I’ve included an excerpt below from Heartbeat’s "Talking About Abortion" manual that applies the basics of the L.O.V.E. Approach to this sensitive topic. 

Additionally, we’ve provided two free, valuable resources: information on Abortion Pill Reversal and details on an upcoming online training to equip staff with the latest information and skills to support residents in their pregnancy decisions.

L.O.V.E. and Truth: Training to Be a Helper

L.O.V.E.

♥ L stands for Listen and Learn - get to know the client and her situation thoroughly, work to help her feel “safe” to talk and share, not “judged” by you for her behavior or circumstances, and develop a relationship with her.

♥ O stands for Open Options - discuss her alternatives thoroughly and help her see that she is at a crossroads and does have paths to choose from, help her see which opportunities may lead her toward danger.

♥ V stands for Vision and Value - introduce a “new vision” for her, a way to see her situation differently, and the value she has in God’s eyes.

♥ E stands for Extend and Empower - offer concrete help and continuing support, including referrals and your own organization’s programs, help her plan an alternative, and take a step in a positive direction).

The L.O.V.E. Approach means also that LOVE (God) is our source and L.O.V.E. is our method. 

This method is best expressed in St. Paul’s Letter to the Corinthians (I Cor. 13:1-7, NIV):

“If  I  speak  in  the  tongues  of  men  and  of  angels,  but  have  not  love,  I  am  only  a  resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing. Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, and it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, and always perseveres.”

Free Resources

Abortion Pill Reversal

• Abortion Pill Reversal 101
• Abortion Pill Rescue - A Case Series Detailing the Successful Reversal of the Effects of Mifepristone Using Progesterone
• The Right to Choose Reversal
• Abortion Pill Rescue Network

Recorded Webinar

Her Plan: Presenting Benefits to Homes - FREE!

Presented by Chaney Mullins Gooley and Gina Tomes

Join Her PLAN (Her Pregnancy and Life Assistance Network) to discover the seven primary reasons why women choose abortion and find out how to get your organization listed in the Her PLAN directory. Presenters Chaney Mullins Gooley and Gina Tomes will also discuss how to effectively utilize the directory for partnerships and referrals, ensuring that your clients have access to a wide range of resources.

by Valerie Harkins, Director of the Maternity Housing Coalition of Heartbeat International

Maternity homes serve as powerful environments not only for the physical well-being of pregnant women but also for the intricate development of their unborn children's brains. Neuroplasticity, the brain's capability to reorganize itself by forming new neural connections, provides a fascinating lens through which to view the transformative potential of maternity homes. These homes offer residents a unique opportunity to catalyze neurodevelopment in both themselves and their children in utero through fostering new behaviors and skills.

In the realm of neuroscience, where the brain's adaptability is a cornerstone principle, maternity homes stand as beacons of hope and change. The residents, often facing challenging circumstances, are given a supportive and nurturing environment to cultivate new coping mechanisms, communication styles, and interpersonal skills. The significance of this goes beyond mere behavior change; it delves deep into the realm of brain restructuring. As residents practice these new behaviors consistently within the safe confines of the maternity home, they are actively carving out new neural pathways in their brains.

These newly formed neural connections are not transient but rather have the potential to become permanent fixtures in their cognitive architecture. By repeatedly engaging in positive behaviors, residents solidify these pathways, laying the foundation for lasting change. This process is particularly vital during pregnancy, as research suggests that a mother's emotional state can influence the development of her child's brain even before birth. Therefore, the benefits of cultivating a positive mental and emotional environment within maternity homes extend not only to the residents themselves but also to the neurological well-being of their unborn children.

The vision for residents of maternity homes should not be confined to their current circumstances but should encompass a future brimming with possibilities.

Envisioning these women as healthy, strong, sober, safe, and thriving individuals is not just wishful thinking but a scientifically grounded expectation.

The power of neuroplasticity equips individuals with the capacity to fundamentally alter their brain's structure and function, leading to profound and enduring transformations in behavior and cognition.

For maternity home workers who may at times feel disheartened or overwhelmed by the challenges their residents face, understanding the neuroscientific underpinnings of their work can provide a renewed sense of purpose and hope. Every interaction, every intervention, and every moment of support offered within the walls of a maternity home has the potential to spark a cascade of neurobiological changes in the lives of its inhabitants.

May we all take heart, that maternity homes play a pivotal role not just in providing shelter and support but in fostering neurodevelopment and promoting true lasting change. By recognizing the profound impact of neuroplasticity on behavior and cognition, we can appreciate the immense potential inherent in every resident who walks through the doors of a maternity home. Let us view these individuals not through the lens of their past struggles but through the lens of limitless possibilities for growth, resilience, and transformation.

by Valerie Harkins, Director of Maternity Housing Coalition

The Maternity Housing Coalition (MHC) is excited to announce three features available to Heartbeat International affiliates.

1. Announcing our new housing locator tool!

a. This tool is free to all affiliates.
b. An online application is built into the tool. With the application feature, affiliated homes receive an email with a snapshot of the potential client's information including her name, gestation, current location, and if she currently has a safe place to stay.
c. Affiliate homes are matched with a woman based on the intake information entered. When you reach out to connect with this young woman, you are already prepared with the information you need to have a successful and fruitful conversation.

2. Option Line is partnered with MHC!

a. Option Line is available 24/7, including holidays, to assist women applying for maternity housing.

3. Maternity Homes can Forward Calls to Option Line!

a. Maternity home affiliates can forward calls to Option Line after hours as a complementary benefit of affiliation. When your office is closed, even during meetings or events, Option Line is here to assist women attempting to contact your maternity home.
b. Option Line is bilingual! This gives you peace of mind knowing that even Spanish-speaking callers are being served.
c. Click here to learn how to take advantage of this benefit.

Next Step: Click here to register to be added to the housing locator tool today! We aim to create a robust directory of maternity homes where you can list your services so women can be connected and served even faster. With our partnership with Option Line, we will reach even more!

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For questions please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Presented by Valerie Harkins, Housing Specialist

The pandemic showed us just how delicate our fundraising strategies are to unforeseen events.  Many nonprofits found themselves financially vulnerable in 2020 without the ability to host their annual fundraising events or apply for a specific grant upon which they had become reliant. It’s been three years since then, and the trends have continued to speak a sobering message.

Fundraising trends are on the move in 2023. With the turbulence of the economy, the unpredictability of the environment, the shift in the generation of the primary donor base, and adjustments to the new post-pandemic norms, homes are finding that—now more than ever— they have a critical need for diversified revenue streams. Overall, we have seen a national increase in donations; however, this has been matched with an even greater decrease in purchasing power, frequently resulting in a realistic net loss for organizations. As is common during times of economic hardship, the number of individual donors on average has decreased with an increased amount per monetary contribution made. This means we have fewer people making contributions but larger individual contributions, creating an elusive financial projection that appears strong at the bottom line but is built upon what is likely akin to a Jenga tower.

Financial resilience is the golden ticket to stability in this season. This necessitates fundraising strategies built upon multiple revenue streams. A personal recommendation is to maintain an average of five sources of income. This provides you with a broad donor base and the gift of time when catastrophe strikes. Examples include minor events, major events, monthly donors, and grants. To learn more, check out our webinar Diversifying Your Home’s Revenue Streams where we take a deep dive into this topic. And there is no time like the present to strengthen your funding strategy by getting in on the Development Tack at Pregnancy Help Institute. There’s still time!