By CatholicVote | Created at 2024-11-27 13:01:23 | Updated at 2024-11-27 16:40:40
3 hours ago
CV NEWS FEED // A Catholic nonprofit that has provided hope and practical support to vulnerable mothers for nearly three decades is set to expand its mission with the construction of a new facility in Kernersville, North Carolina.
Fox Local News recently reported on the new center and the story of Jessica Crawford, one of many single mothers Room At The Inn has supported over the years.
Eighteen years ago, while pregnant and facing eviction, Crawford turned to Room At The Inn’s licensed and accredited Mary Nussbaum Maternity Shelter in Greensboro for support. There, she received counseling, housing, and job training, ultimately becoming a licensed practical nurse and providing a secure future for herself and her daughter, according to Fox Local News.
The Promise Center will expand on the services that helped Crawford and others by offering additional assistance during and after pregnancy, helping mothers transition to stable, self-sufficient lives with their children.
The Kernersville Board of Aldermen recently approved the rezoning of nearly 45 acres of land for the center, which will include a licensed childcare center, support services including a housing program, an educational building for life skills and job training, and living quarters for volunteers.
Albert Hodges, CEO of Room At The Inn, described the Promise Center as a place where “hope is born,” emphasizing that although many resources exist for women during pregnancy, “the real work begins after their babies are born.”
Room At The Inn currently offers a variety of programs to support vulnerable mothers on their path to self-sufficiency. Its College Program provides housing, child development services, and educational support for graduates of the maternity home. Their Immediate Shelter program offers temporary housing for homeless, pregnant women and their children, while the Extended Stay program provides longer-term accommodations for mothers awaiting permanent housing.
The organization also provides ongoing support to “alumni” of the home, including quarterly meetings, material assistance, referrals, and an annual Christmas dinner.
Room At The Inn accepts clients regardless of their faith but also offers a voluntary Proverbs 31 Formation Program which gives residents the opportunity to grow their relationships with Christ.
Hodges highlighted that one of the primary obstacles faced by single mothers is the lack of marketable skills.
“They want to work but it’s very hard to get a job making minimum wage that can support them and their child,” he said. “So we’ve always focused on job training and a career that they’re qualified for.”
With a goal of raising $12 million for The Promise Center, Room At The Inn has already secured $7 million through its capital campaign, leaving $5 million to raise before breaking ground on the Promise Center project. The nonprofit expects to begin construction in 2025.
