Supporting Women in Unplanned Pregnancies
Embracing Life: The Miracles of Maternity Homes
Long ago, on a cold December night, a man and a pregnant woman arrived at a little town called Bethlehem seeking warmth and shelter. Unfortunately, the one inn that would be able to provide that warmth and shelter was full, leaving the woman no other place to give birth but in a lowly manger surrounded by the animals that fed there.
Now, each year on December 25th we gather with family and loved ones, pass gifts, and share in time honored traditions because of the miracle that occurred that night; the birth of a precious child. For this one day of the year, people hold their loved ones a little tighter, laugh a little louder, and love a little deeper all because of a woman who faced an unexpected pregnancy and the miraculous life that she brought into the world.
While I don’t know how the story would have changed if there was room in the inn that cold night, I do know that thousands of pregnant women have had their lives beautifully altered thanks to the open doors of maternity homes across the country.
Empowering Women, Building Lives
Homes such as the fittingly named Mary’s Shelter in Fredericksburg, Virginia and Bethlehem House in Omaha, Nebraska, exist to help women who are facing poverty, addiction, abuse and so much more while experiencing an unexpected pregnancy. As these homes help women to embrace life, they offer classes, clothing, materials, and support so that new moms feel confident to bring a child into the world and care for it. Additionally, they help women to further their education, recover from substance abuse, obtain a job, find housing, and become strong and successful in life and in motherhood.
Mary’s Shelter and Bethlehem House are not alone in their compassionate work, however, over 400 community-based maternity homes exist across the nation to empower and support women while providing them with an abundance of love and shelter. Women such as Rachel, Fran, Danielle and thousands of others were offered care and support when the rest of the world seemed to close a door to them.
Rachel, for instance, was seven months pregnant when she escaped years of abuse in order to save herself and her children. When the local domestic violence shelters were full, she turned to Mary’s Shelter and they provided her with a safe place for her family — full of food, supplies, and love. She now has a successful job as a real estate agent, has started her own charcuterie business, has a beautiful family, and no longer lives in fear of what the next day will bring.
Thanks to the growing number of maternity homes and the strength of the pro-life moment, no woman will be turned away from warmth, hope and safety when facing an unexpected pregnancy.
Standing Together: With Every Woman, For Every Child
As we continue in this post-Roe America, the goal of these homes and the pro-life movement is to ensure that each woman knows that she does not have to face an unexpected pregnancy on her own, and that resources and love are offered in abundance to her and her child.
That is why for the 51st annual National March for Life taking place next month, January 17 – 19, we wanted to emphasize the life-saving work of these homes, while spreading the crucial message to women that they are not alone.
This year’s theme, “With every woman, for every child” highlights the need to love and support both baby and mom, through all nine months of pregnancy and in the many years after. We will gather again in our nation’s capital to not only be a voice for our smallest citizens, but for the women who so courageously carry them.
We will march for both woman and child, so every beating heart knows that the pro-life movement stands with them, and will always open our doors for them. The women who have no job, no home, no support and nowhere to turn are welcomed with open arms into these maternity homes. No matter their position in life, their background, or their story, their existence and the precious life inside of them will make the world a better place.
Just like the many stories of women helped today, the tale of that cold December night is one full of hope, perseverance, and joy. One woman’s unplanned pregnancy changed the world as we know it, and the beauty of new life now brings us peace and love each year.
For the brave women facing unplanned and unexpected pregnancies, you are loved, and you are never alone. No matter your journey or your destination, there will always, always be room for you at the inn.
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Jeanne Mancini is the president of March for Life.
The views expressed in this piece are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of The Daily Wire.
How do maternity homes like Mary’s Shelter and Bethlehem House empower pregnant women and provide them with the resources they need to thrive as mothers and individuals?
Essage of support and empowerment for all women facing unexpected pregnancies. The theme of this year’s March for Life is “Embracing Life: The Miracles of Maternity Homes,” shining a light on the incredible impact that these homes have on the lives of pregnant women and their children.
Maternity homes like Mary’s Shelter and Bethlehem House are not just places of shelter; they are places of empowerment, support, and love. They provide women with the tools and resources they need to not only bring a child into the world but to also thrive as mothers and individuals. They offer classes, clothing, and materials to ensure that new moms feel confident in their ability to care for their child. They also assist women in furthering their education, overcoming substance abuse, finding employment, and securing housing. These homes are dedicated to helping women build better lives for themselves and their children, breaking the cycle of poverty, addiction, and abuse.
The work of these maternity homes is not in isolation. There are over 400 community-based maternity homes nationwide, all driven by the compassion and dedication to provide support and love to women in need. These homes have become a lifeline for women like Rachel, Fran, and Danielle, who have shared their stories of how these homes offered them care and support when they had nowhere else to turn. These women have gone on to achieve success and happiness, free from the fear and uncertainty they once faced.
The growth of maternity homes and the strength of the pro-life movement have become a beacon of hope for women facing unexpected pregnancies. Each woman can now find warmth, hope, and safety in these homes, knowing that she is not alone and that there are resources available to her. No longer will women be turned away or forced to make a difficult decision without support. Maternity homes stand ready to embrace these women and their unborn children, offering them a chance at a brighter future.
As the pro-life movement continues to advocate for the protection of all human life, it is crucial that we stand together and support the work of maternity homes. They provide a lifeline for women and children in their time of need, offering love and resources to ensure that every woman feels empowered and supported. With every step we take at the upcoming National March for Life, we will be emphasizing the miracles that happen within these homes and spreading the message of unity and support for every woman and every child.
In conclusion, embracing life is not just the celebration of a miraculous birth that occurred thousands of years ago. It is a daily commitment to recognizing the inherent value and dignity of every human life. Maternity homes play a crucial role in empowering women, providing them with the resources, love, and support they need to embrace life and build a future for themselves and their children. As we come together at the National March for Life, let us remember the miracles that happen within these homes and pledge our unwavering support to every woman facing an unexpected pregnancy.
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