Do you ever wonder what happens as moms make their way through Maggie’s Place? Most of our mothers go on to do great work in addition to taking care of themselves and their children. Mercides, who gave birth to twins just nine months ago, is now a peer mentor in the fight against the opioid crisis at our community partner, Community Medical Services.
Mercides entered The Magdalene House in April of 2018. She was newly sober, living paycheck to paycheck when she discovered she was pregnant — with twins. She searched for help, fearing she would have to place her babies for adoption because she was not in a position to care for them. The Magdalene House community would support her each day in making her hopes for herself and her twins become a reality.
The Magdalene House, staffed by AmeriCorps members, provides warm and welcoming shelter, all maternity and infant supplies, transportation, counseling and family coaching, community referrals, and round-the-clock support for moms in need like Mercides. AmeriCorps members oversee the day-to-day operations of the house, including accepting and distributing incoming donations to residents, providing formal peer mentorship, coordinating house programs, and creating a warm home environment with struggling mothers and their infants.Their efforts make a difference. More than a year later, Mercides is still at Maggie’s Place, now accompanied by her nine-month-old sons. She is celebrating 25 months of sobriety, and recently got a driver’s license and bought a car. She has also made progress in paying off fines and student loans, built some savings, and graduated as a Peer Support Specialist.
“Every week I’m checking off a goal. Big or small, Maggie’s Place has helped me grow into an amazing woman and mother. Today I see a bright future for me and my boys and thank you will never be enough for all of the amazing people at Maggie’s Place. (AmeriCorps member) Amy is an amazing woman. I’m so happy she’s a part of mine and the boys’ Maggie’s Place journey. Maggie’s Place is my home and my safe place.”
