About Homelessness
Images of a pregnant woman walking the streets wondering where she’ll spend the night are not something anyone can see without wanting to step in the help. Helping is almost impossible unless her story is told. Mothers in this state of crisis usually aren’t forthcoming with their stories or pleas for help. The urgency of a home is more pressing than telling someone who may or may not help. This is where we come in.
Most of us never really have had to deal with homelessness or the thought of not having a home. There is not one specific situation that leads women to the homeless, but rather a series of events. There is a cycle that needs to be broken in some instances to bring an end to homelessness. Some of the circumstances stem from aging out of foster care, job loss, illness, relocation, divorce, abandonment or a cycle of poverty, a cycle repeats.
A Purdue study found “when a family becomes homeless the entire family’s life, normalcy, sense of securing and whatever semblance of functionality that once existed is now completely disrupted and off-balance. Any routine or appearance of normalcy changes. The conditions of “normal” life, from mundane activities of daily living (regular showers or doing laundry) to the important job of getting a child to school, are brought to a sudden halt. Household foundations, however weak they may have been in the past, may become nonexistent once homelessness occurs.”
Whatever the circumstances surrounding a person’s or family’s homelessness, they are likely to worsen once homelessness becomes a reality. Even if job loss is the explanation for an individual’s homelessness, such an unexpected crisis can quickly worsen and can lead to depression, unemployment, and other conditions that will make it more difficult for a family to regain economic stability and a home.
A woman who is pregnant and homeless doesn’t care about attending classes to get a pack and play or diapers. She cares about getting a roof over her head before night falls. Whether it’s getting into a shelter, sleeping in a car, a quiet bathroom or a tent in the woods. These are her concerns. Programs like Carried To Full Term are necessary to help stabilize families in crisis as a result of homelessness. When families are given the support, resources, and tools like those offered by Carried To Full Term and similar programs, then and only then, will they be to focus on developing routines that include job searches and grocery shopping.
Click here to learn more about Carried To Full Term.
She Wants a Roof over Her Head, Not Diapers
A women who is pregnant and homeless doesn’t care about attending classes to get a pack and play or diapers.
She cares about getting a roof over her head before night falls. Whether it’s getting into a shelter, sleeping in a car, a quiet bathroom or a tent in the woods. These are her concerns.
Too often when are women are given items as answers to bigger life problems. Diapers and pack and plays are necessary after or when she’s
If you know of a woman who is pregnant or who has recently given birth, but doesn’t have consistent housing call 571-261-2838. Homes, like Carried To Full Term, have programs that are designed to equip women with the tools and resources to help her provide for herself and her family.
Click here to learn more about Carried To Full Term.
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Seasons of Change
When I recall the verse to remain steadfast and unmoved, always abounding, being present, learning God’s ways and being in His word, I didn’t always think of a mission or reason for remaining other than it pleased the Lord.
In the last eight years, our family has been on what I believe I call, training. We’ve had to learn to live and walk in a way that has been different from all that we’ve known.
When routines get canceled and the plans for what we expected our futures to be and looked like getting completely changed, the rerouting at first, was confusing and sometimes chaotic. Even in the face of the confusion, our family’s response was, Lord we’ll trust you.
I remember when God captured my heart to care for pregnant and homeless women through Carried To Full Term, my husbands’ response was how? My answer was, I don’t we’re going to get a house.
I must admit, I’d created a visual in my head of how God was going to make it happen. I imagined opportunities and doors swinging open in a fancy, poetic, slow-motion display, nope!
Nothing would be further from the truth, as the doors closed faster than a double push on the fast forward button. Looking back, I can now see how it All, was a necessary part of His plan.
We are sharing our experiences not because we are more faithful or capable. We believe we can be a source of support and encouragement to many people who are desiring to be obedient.
It doesn’t matter the season when God’s plan gets fully activated He moves forward. Thankfully, He doesn’t abandon you to figure it out on your own. He uses every experience, and every season to grow you as He’s has done with our family.
Our four children have had a front-row seat, nope! I stand corrected, they’ve been given uniforms and they’ve been participants on the court of faith moves, sacrificial living and love giving from day one.
As you are in a season of seeking or taking the first steps, we want to encourage you to trust that the Lord has placed this mission in you and He will not abandon you. Be steadfast and unmoved!
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Children’s Author: Carylee Carrington
Invest In Mothers
The other day, I told someone I’m on a mission to change the discussion around the unborn. The number of women in the church who are terminating their pregnancies is almost as high as those not in the church.
I believe we have to change the conversation to focus on investing in mothers. If we committed to mentoring, being present, and education, we would see a drop in terminated pregnancies. If we would give women options, we would see change. Babies need their mothers, especially mothers who are interested in parenting but feel hopeless and abandoned.
What if the church took an active role in mentoring and investing in women who are pregnant without the judgment they so often feel? What if “the church” helped young pregnant women get to their doctor’s appointments? What if we opened our homes to take in a mother or woman needing love, attention and skills development?
How ready and willing are we to get the training to help a pregnant mother who may not make us comfortable or feel good simply because we’ve decided to be present? What if you persisted as she rejects you through all your sacrifices?
What if “we” the church, changed the conversation around the unborn, and invested in a mother? What if we decided to live outside the comforts of the building church?
You would probably save two lives and impact future generations to a greater legacy.
