For the Love of Life!

Our Stories

A Mom's Story (October, 2009)

In her own words: "Mary's Shelter is a place for young women in need, and surely because of the wonderful staff there, I had a home in my time of need. My experience there was like no other experience in my lifetime (I mean in a good way). I came there with no hope and left with plenty. Words can't hold the gratefulness I have towards the Shelter and the staff. My time there was marvelous!"

    'T' was 19 years old and pregnant when she was admitted to Mary's Shelter from a domestic violence shelter. She had never lived by herself, was out of touch with her family and did not have a high school diploma. She decided that she wanted to get her GED (high-school equivalency degree) and began receiving tutoring at the shelter. 

   Unfortunately, 'T' developed complications in her pregnancy and went into labor prematurely. Her baby boy was born two months early, but both mother and son were able to eventually return to Mary's Shelter.

   One of her ambitions was to own a car.  So 'T' started by studying for her driving test - and passed on her first try! Then an 'angel' donated a car to her, which meant she was now able to start her job search - and she was able to find a part-time job in the food industry.  While working, she continued to study for her GED.  'T' was now ready to leave the shelter and join our Transitional Housing program.

   The Case Manager helped her locate various apartment options, but the apartment 'T' ended up renting turned out to be one she found on her own. The shelter was able to provide her with several pieces of furniture, a washing machines and other household goods, advanced her utility deposits and helped with rent payments for six months, in accordance with the Transitional Housing aid policy.

   After moving into her new apartment, 'T' realized she did not want to work in the food industry all of her life and decided to take a Certified Nursing Assistant course.  She worked with her employer to schedule her work hours in the evening and traveled to a nearby city every day for two weeks to take the classes.  She completed the course and received her certificate, and then applied for and obtained her State of Alabama license.

   In the meantime, 'T' took her GED test and passed the first time.   She then took her CNA license test and passed.  She was now eligible to work in a nursing home or hospital.

   'T' applied for a CNA job at a nursing home and was hired.  She was cautious, however, and did not feel comfortable giving up her part-time job.  She continued to work part-time during the day and worked at the nursing home on the 3 - 11 shift.  After about two months, she decided that she wanted to go to college and resigned from her part-time job in order to be able to spend more time with her son prior to starting school.

   'T' is now on her own, a mother and a full time student, and also continues to be employed as a nursing assistant at the nursing home. 

   'T' went from being homeless and pregnant, to who she is today: she has a full-time job with good benefits; she is a full-time student; she has her own apartment with the lease in her name.  And because the apartment lease and the utilities were in her name from her initial entry into the Transitional Housing program, 'T' now has a good credit history.

   Mary's Shelter is extremely proud of 'T' and will always think of her as part of the family.

Sheila's story - told in her own words in August, 2009

   "My name is Sheila. I am currently in Mary's Shelter's Assisted Living (Transitional Housing) program.

   I came to Mary's Shelter in August, 2007 - 7 months pregnant. I had completed a drug and alcohol (rehabilitation) program in Pensacola, Florida and I had no place to go when I graduated. I called around everywhere and I couldn't find a place for homeless pregnant women. I found a place in Ft. Walton, but you coud only stay there 6 weeks after the baby's born then you had to move. You could only stay there longer if you were going to adopt your baby out. The program was basically for adoption purposes. I wanted to keep my baby. I was finally clean and sober and I wanted to make a life for my baby.

   The place in Ft. Walton told me about Mary's Shelter, so I called. They agreed to meet with me. I was so nervous and scared when I came to the shelter. It was more than I could hope for and nicer than I could dream. Everybody was so nice and helpful. They had me a baby shower and helped me get clothes. After my baby was born, they saw to it I was able to find work and get back and forth. I saved my money and moved out a year later. 

   Me and my daughter are doing great. She is almost 2 and growing like a weed. I am still sober and doing good. I started with nothing; now I have a car, a mobile home, a job and a good church I am a member of. I could never say enough good things about Mary's Shelter and how much it done for me and my baby. We have a future now. Thank you Mary's Shelter."

The Mary's Shelter story

   Mary's Shelter Gulf Coast (MSGC) was incorporated in 2001 to address the needs of women experiencing an unwanted or unplanned pregnancy. It is patterned on other existing and successful Mary's Shelters in Minnesota, Pennsylvania, California and Florida. The original founder of these Mary's Shelters, Jan Lindsay, was instrumental in founding MSGC, together with a core group of like-minded parishioners from St. Thomas-by-the-Sea Catholic Church in Orange Beach, Alabama. Thanks to the support of area churches, businesses and individuals who believed in our mission of providing a home to women who were homeless, pregnant and in danger of aborting their baby, the Shelter opened its doors in the spring of 2006.

   The main area we serve covers the counties of Mobile, Baldwin and Escambia in Alabama, and Santa Rosa and Escambia counties in the state of Florida. These five counties average about 100 abortions per week. MSGC is the only charitable organization in this five-county area able to offer shelter and support to homeless, pregnant adult women, before and after the birth of their child.

   Mary's Shelter Gulf Coast is overseen by a 20-member volunteer Board of Directors. The facility is staffed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. During the work day, our Executive Director (who is a licensed social worker) oversees all aspects of operating the home. She is assisted by a second part-time social worker who is especially charged with the transitional housing program, and by an administrative assistant and a grant researcher and writer. A housemother is always on the premises. Also, many volunteers help with all aspects of the program, from rocking babies, to preparing mailings and performing upkeep on our facility.

   Please join Mary's Shelter as we continue to discern how best to accomplish our Vision of caring for homeless pregnant women who choose life for their unborn child.