Importance
Choices Resource Center of Oak Ridge, TN reports: 65% of our abortion vulnerable clients claimed that they were considering abortion because of problems concerning family relationships, living situations, and/or financial burdens. All of these problems may have been averted by the presence of a home.
In addition, due to a variety of relational and socio-economic factors, many young women who are cast out of their homes when their pregnancy is discovered often find themselves in unhealthy or life threatening living arrangements when they can’t find a safe/suitable place in which to begin their new journey.
In 2007, Crossroads was approached with requests for housing six at-risk mothers and their babies but because the facility is not yet available Crossroads was unable to provide services.
In 2008 Crossroads was again contacted by DHS/CPS to house a young mom and her baby. This time the President took them into her home because they had no place else to go.
So far in 2009 we have been contacted regarding a safe haven for a young pregnant mom and toddler, and since abuse is rising due to the financial crisis in today’s economy, she most probably will not be the last. We also were contacted by a young woman who is due the end of August and would have been a perfect fit for Crossroads. We will be staying in contact with her so she can attend parenting classes and have our continued support.
Update! One of our board members and his wife have taken in this young woman and will continue after the baby is born. Our President will be having the mom and baby live with her to give them a break each month. During the time she will be living in these two homes we will be giving her the love and nurturing she so desperately wants and the motherlng/parenting skills she needs to give her baby a safe, secure, loving home. We will also be working with her regarding her future needs, whether it be work or school or both.
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