A woman may come to Our Lady's Inn at any time during her pregnancy and stay until after the birth of the baby.  Upon entering the program, she must commit to an individualized self-sufficiency plan which she and a caring staff member develop together.  She comes to Our Lady's Inn stressed and brokenhearted. We offer them a healthy and hopeful tomorrow through counseling and assistance in formulating goals. While plans vary, three goals dominate her stay at Our Lady's Inn:

She will have a healthy baby.  She will attend pre-natal care, work with her nurse educator at Our Lady's Inn, learn and practice nutrition during her stay, and follow through with well-baby care upon delivery of her baby. 

She will obtain employment.  She will either find a job while at Our Lady's Inn, or she will attend GED classes, advanced school or training in preparation for the world of work. She will receive career counseling, basic skills training and parenting education. 

She will secure permanent housing.  She will explore various housing alternatives with the assistance of the trained Our Lady's Inn staff; and upon leaving OLI, she will move into stable housing.  

While these goals are clear, the path to achieving these goals is uncertain for the woman who seeks our services. Many issues complicate her ability to reach these goals, including lack of education, illiteracy, prolonged poverty, lack of support systems, substance abuse, and other problems. Some women are referred to recovery programs; all are aided in receiving medical attention for themselves, their newborn and other children. Referrals for adoptions are encouraged and are made to licensed adoption agencies.

OLI provides on-going support with the help of various community agencies and institutions. An Aftercare Program allows OLI to continue following these families for two years after they leave the shelter. A coordinator monitors each family member's physical, emotional and spiritual well being. Each mother is encouraged to stay on track with her original plan and to improve her family's quality of life by formulating and pursuing new goals. Support groups and home visits, designed to assess the family's progress and to address problems, provide the opportunity to check for signs of abuse or neglect. Family Fun Outings offer enriching settings for healthy parent-child interaction and adult communication. OLI's goal: Change the distressed and brokenhearted into happy - hopeful- whole - and self-sustaining families. 

How Can You Help?

Just by consigning you are helping Our Lady's Inn. Donating your unsold items will help many families/children in need. A collection box will be onsite to receive your donations of formula and diapers and new layette items.