Contact: Ryan Uher 602-596-4991 [email protected] Thunderbirds Charities Invests $40,000 in Maggie’s Place Family Success Center; Continues to Partner in Service to Homeless Pregnant Women PHOENIX 7/6/2021 – Maggie’s Place was recently awarded $40,000 from Thunderbirds Charities to directly support the work of the Maggie’s Place Family Success Center at 30th St and Indian School. The…
Contact: Ryan Uher 602-596-4991 [email protected] Maggie’s Place Receives $439,000 Grant From The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation Grant will Build Capacity and Support Current Programming PHOENIX 6/7/2021 – Maggie’s Place – a nonprofit dedicated to supporting homeless pregnant women and their children – has received a $439,000, multi-year grant from The Bob & Renee Parsons…
Reunification is a word used a lot at Maggie’s Place. But what is it, and why do we work to make it happen? Reunification is the process of getting a family safely back together after children have been placed in the foster care system. Foster care refers to situations where the State has custody of…
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…
Sometimes a Maggie’s Place mom will share her story in depth, the good and the bad. Today, we hear from Cystalann who tells us about her journey to The Elizabeth House. “This is my story about my life prior to finding Maggie’s Place. I am celebrating a number of accomplishments in my life today.…
Our guest blogger this week is our very own CEO Laura Magruder. When family fails…there’s Maggie’s Place I was blessed growing up. I knew three of my great-grandparents, all four grandparents, all my aunts, uncles and cousins. My children weren’t as fortunate. They spent their early childhood in California and didn’t have the opportunity…
The kids may have just gotten out of school but at Maggie’s Place, we’re already looking at sending them back prepared and ready to succeed. Every year in July, Maggie’s Place kids come to the courtyard for backpacks, supplies, haircuts, shoes and all things school related. A peek behind the curtain shows just how in…
“My job is to love this person,” says Natalie, an AmeriCorps member at The Elizabeth House. She is reflecting on her year of service, its’ meaning, its’ heartbreak and lessons learned. Natalie joined with fellow Corps member Christina for a podcast mini-series featuring moms and AmeriCorps members from each of the Maggies’ Place homes. “No…
By: Valentino Mejia “Thank you for calling Maggie’s Place, The Elizabeth House, this is Valentino, how can I help you?” It is with great sadness that I say my internship at Maggie’s Place has come to an end. When I first started at Maggie’s Place, I was so excited to step foot in the…
by Stephanie Chavoya There is no greater love than a mother’s love for her child. As cliche as it sounds, I have been given that love from my own mother and witness it everyday living at The Magdalene and Michael homes. When I committed to a year of service with Maggie’s Place, I honestly…
Our AmeriCorps members, the ladies who live in Maggie’s Place homes with our moms and babies, are nothing if not resourceful, compassionate, loving and strong. As we are in recruitment season for next year, Natalie, a current Corps member, shares some thoughts for new incoming Corps members. Read along… Dear New Corps Member: I…
We all have preconceived notions about others. We would not be human without them. That includes the mothers at Maggie’s Place–where they come from, how they’ve journeyed to us and what will happen once they leave us. Monasia, a mom at The Elizabeth House, turns those notions and opinions on their heads. We cannot wait…
When we started our podcast a month or two ago, we thought we might stir up some conversation, inform listeners about Maggie’s Place, engage some new supporters and bring more awareness to the work at Maggie’s Place. We were right on all counts. What we didn’t think of was how much we would learn from…
In keeping with our goal to provide news from our AmeriCorps, today we hear from Thy, who is serving Maggie’s Place at The Michael House. “I came into a year of service without knowing what I was really getting into. I was a recent grad starting off in a new city and doing a…
Our news today comes from The Zechariah House in Ohio. The custom of celebrating the life of St. Patrick, a Catholic priest who spent many years preaching Christianity in Ireland where he used the small three leaf plant, the shamrock, to illustrate the doctrine of the Trinity has become a global tradition. For the…
Saturday marked the celebration of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s soon-to-be royal little one. The English Rose Tea Room in Carefree threw a baby shower and the gifts were for Maggie’s Place babies. Jo Gemmill, owner and Maggie’s Place friend, celebrates tea for all royal events. She is an English transplant after all. She brought…
It’s International Women’s Day. At Maggie’s Place, women are everywhere–the moms, the Corps members and a bunch of our babies. They are, indeed, an amazing group. In honoring them on this special day, we have some of their thoughts to share. Thanks to funding from a Dignity Health Community of Care grant, The ASU Morrison…
We love to share the experiences of our AmeriCorps and MissionCorps members in Arizona and Ohio. Today, we hear from Claire who lives with the moms at Arizona’s Magdalene House. Thank you, Claire, for sharing your experience with us. “With graduation quickly approaching, it came time to discern my next step. I began researching Catholic…
Tuesday is podcast day at Maggie’s Place. We joined Program Director Julie Carlberg, Volunteer Celeste Burton, AmeriCorps members Amy O’Neil and Pinky Guerrero to discuss volunteerism, a year of service and how rules without relationships equal rebellion. The conversation veered to experiencing poverty, human dignity and breaking the barriers of “us” and “them.” Haven’t heard…
AmeriCorps Member Amy shares her thoughts with us… “It would be amazing, but it’s not realistic.” That’s what I told myself when the idea of spending a year at Maggie’s Place came into the picture. After attending The University of Scranton, a Jesuit university, I spent a lot of time imagining myself in service, but…
Events are important at Maggie’s Place. We celebrate everything. We rejoice when a mom or baby hits a milestone. We are known to cry from time to time–first steps, answered prayers, new jobs and moving on. We also love events that bring our community together to celebrate what we do, how we do it and…
You see the photos of our beautiful babies and our smiling moms. You may even know the hard work that goes into all that our moms accomplish and how far they’ve come. At Maggie’s Place, we are beyond proud of all our mom’s next steps and fresh starts. But we are also proud of the…
Did you know that if all nonprofits were a country, they would have the sixteenth largest economy in the world? That, according to The National Council of Nonprofits, is based on the 878 billion dollars they pumped into the economy in 2012, the last time the council measured such things. It’s a surprising economic impact,…
Some thoughts to keep your spirits lifted through this season which can often be hectic and overwhelming. From all of us at Maggie’s Place, we wish you joy and family and hope for the holiday and for the coming year. “Let us keep Christmas beautiful without a thought of greed.” –Anne Garnett Schultz “May you…
Each year, a group of ladies in Scottsdale join together for Christmas Tea. It’s no ordinary tea. They decorate a home that’s already gorgeous, create a store filled with holiday trinkets, collect raffle prizes and ask for support for the moms and babies at Maggie’s Place. This year their leader, Susie Stelzer, a longtime friend…
Last week was Giving Tuesday, a global day of giving fueled by social media shares, mentions, and matches. It is an annual event celebrated on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving. Over the years, it has become an event on par with Black Friday and Cyber Monday–a way of giving back to the good works all over…
According to the National Alliance To End Homelessness, the estimate for those experiencing homelessness in America in 2017 was 553,742. Add pregnancy to the equation and you realize the vital importance of Maggie’s Place, what we do and who we serve. Our moms, babies and children are not just nameless faces and statistics. We are…
Ho Ho Ho! The holidays are almost here. We know you haven’t had your turkey yet but we’re already thinking Christmas here at Maggie’s Place. We’re playing Santa, along with your help, to lots of moms and babies this year. Wondering how Christmas works here at Maggie’s Place? Our goal, always, is to empower the…
Over 100 little ones and their moms turned out for the annual Halloween party at Maggie’s Place last weekend. Party planners and volunteers came from the Scottsdale National Charity League and East Valley Women’s League. Maggie’s Place kids, and moms, enjoyed games, face painting, costumes, treats and crafts. They left all ready for tomorrow’s spirited…
Thank You Kendra Scott… If you attended Corks & Forks, you know the Kendra Scott Mystery Boxes sold out fast! We should have ordered more! Thankfully, the Kendra Scott store in the Chandler Mall, is offering us another chance to save and benefit Maggie’s Place at the same time. On Sunday, October 28th, 20 percent…
Here in Arizona, we are so happy when we get new moms, babies are born or we add a new home to our family. We are thrilled that The Zechariah House, our home in the Cleveland, Ohio area celebrated it’s grand re-opening earlier this month. Here is what the Catholic Diocese of Cleveland had to…
It was a dark and stormy night. Really stormy. Thunder and lightning paired with sideways rain pelted Arts Park at Tempe Town Lake. Cars lined up, lights ablaze, waiting to set up the annual Race For Maggie’s Place. Course set up usually starts about 1 or 2 a.m. At 5 a.m. Racelab was still unable…
Many Monday nights Maggie’s Place Program Director Julie Carlberg can be found on the radio. She’s a frequent guest of the Man Up and Lead Radio Show hosted by Richard Cunningham and Chris Radoccia. Each week they tackle different ways men can make an impact and lead their families. Perhaps this week they got more…
Guest Blogger Laura Mascari, Volunteer Coordinator at The Michael House, shares with us today. I love when people tell me I look like my mom. It’s a compliment not only because she is beautiful on the outside, but because she embodies joy, sacrificial love, and patience each and every day. There is something natural in…
Tia wore many hats at Maggie’s Place. She has left us for graduate school and her next adventures. She recently shared her thoughts with us. “Once, I stepped off a plane into the unapologetic heat of June in Phoenix. Responding to an unmistakable draw to the charity called Maggie’s Place, I imagined a quiet life…
When was the last time you visited Maggie’s Thrift Store? Never been? Don’t know about it? Maggie’s Thrift is a social enterprise store benefiting the work of Maggie’s Place. Social entrepreneurship is defined as, “the use of a business to help develop, fund, and implement solutions to social, cultural and environmental issues. It often creates…
Last Saturday found us on sensory overload at The Scott Resort and Spa in Scottsdale. Was it the flowers? The cake? The gorgeous decor? Or was it Lauren Garcia, of What Lola Likes fame, throwing a baby shower for the moms and babies at Maggie’s Place. Lauren found us through our Facebook page a…
Last week, Maggie’s Place joined together with Catholic Charities Community Services and the City of Phoenix to celebrate the opening of our newest home, The Gerard House. One of the morning’s highlights, in addition to meeting some of the moms and seeing their excitement, was a blessing from Bishop Thomas Olmsted. The Bishop warmly greeted…
As you may know, an integral part of the Maggie’s Place family is our MissionCorps members. They come into our homes, take care of our moms and babies and become some of our closest friends. And then a year is up, and they move on to their next adventure. This month we say good bye…
We set a goal for our annual Back To School drive. Each year we throw a party right before school starts where we hope to give much needed backpacks and school supplies to the children of our Maggie’s Place moms. This year, thanks to you, we surpassed our goal and were able to hand out…
Often, people think they are not in a position to give because they don’t have a lot. At Maggie’s Place, little bits add up to big life changes. Right now, donors are contributing to the Back To School Drive. Some are giving big; but most are giving small. Those donations joined together make it possible…
It’s already that time. It may be summer to most people but here at Maggie’s Place, we’re already thinking about Back To School and our alumnae kids. Each year, for the past five years, we have asked the community to help send the children of our alumnae moms back to school prepared for success. Our…
The Race Committee is hard at work. Racelab is plotting the course and collecting registrations. It’s almost time for A Race For Maggie’s Place. This year’s event is Sunday, October 7 at Tempe Town Lake. There are a few changes. We’ve rearranged the schedule a bit, made the kids races a little more interesting and…
The last blog featured the first of the Six Pillars of Support on which we base our work. We are guided by these six guidelines in order to provide life changing programs and services to the women and babies we serve. They provide a pathway to progress and a road to success and self sufficiency.The…
Maggie’s Place works with the most vulnerable of populations: women experiencing poverty and their fragile infants and children. People ask how we accomplish what we do. We are devoted to providing life changing programs and services and are guided by what we call the Six Pillars of Support. They spell out what we do, why…
“When I came to Maggie’s Place, I didn’t have any goals. I was broken. I was afraid. I was terrified that I was going to destroy my child’s life. I was struggling with addiction. All I knew was that people who struggled with addiction continued to struggle after the child is here and DCS gets…
Maggie’s Place is pleased to announce the relocation of The Zechariah House to the grounds of St. Monica’s Parish in Garfield Heights, Ohio Maggie’s Place Ohio, which has operated The Zechariah House in Parma since 2009, has relocated! The new site is on the grounds of Saint Monica’s Parish in Garfield Heights. The new location…
Have you ever wondered what it’s like to be a Maggie’s Place mom? We recently got a letter from a mom telling us what it’s like. It’s another point of view… “Dear Maggie’s Place, When I first got to Maggie’s Place, I was desperate and had no hope for my life. I had no…
We’re celebrating here at Maggie’s Place. In our quest to serve moms all the way through their success, we have an apartment that houses mothers choosing adoption or reunification. Support and love has many faces. Most recently, the Catholic Leadership Circle, donated $25,000 to Maggie’s Place for a fourth apartment to house just such moms.…
Written by MissionCorps Member Emily Bruce. Thank you for sharing Emily. When a baby is born, it is the maternal instinct (and growing increasingly more common in hospitals), to place the baby on the chest, skin-to-skin. This skin-to-skin contact, often called “the golden hour,” has incredible benefits for both mom and baby. Babies who are…
Experts tell us children learn through play. If you’ve been to the Fiat House–Maggie’s Place Family Success Center lately, you’ve witnessed the power of play first hand. We’re celebrating our playground that has brought so much joy, and learning, to all our Maggie’s Place kids. If you haven’t seen it, stop by for…
So many events…so little time. As you know, the Funraiser FanDango Rodeo was held recently at Rancho D’Siete in Scottsdale. Our generous donor, The Be A Gift Foundation, teamed with Maggie’s Place to create a rodeo complete with silent auction, bull riding, fantastic food and the gathering of people who care for others. Money was…
All across the state today, it’s Arizona Gives Day. It’s a day when people all over Arizona are asked to take a closer look at nonprofits and donate to them. Since its inception in 2013, the 24-hour long event has raised 10.1 million for Arizona’s nonprofit sector. We at Maggie’s Place are proud to participate…
Just in case you missed CEO Laura Magruder’s Easter Message… Blessings to you all. Alleluia! Everywhere we look we see wild flowers and the beautiful colors of blooms as they seem to be everywhere. Spring is a season of renewal for nature and for individuals. Here at Maggie’s Place…
When the courtyard behind The Fiat House is raining arts and crafts, you know volunteer Kris Stenson is in the house. Kris is the mom, grandma and volunteer behind the Easter egg hunts, St. Patrick’s Day shamrocks, flower bouquets for moms and the reason many Saturdays find the courtyard filled with kids and moms smiling,…
Thoughts from one of our MissionCorps. These women give a year of their lives in service to our moms and babies. Danielle O’Neill shares some of her experience. Thank you, Danielle, for all you do. Seven months ago I stood at the gates of Boston Logan International Airport with my suitcase and bag. I waved…
The big one is coming. Behind the scenes preparations are ongoing. Food is being chosen. Wineries are being searched out. The gorgeous venue is all set. All we need now is you. The annual Miracle of Motherhood Event is in full on plan attack at The Fiat Resource Center. What’s the Miracle of Motherhood you…
One of the keys to success at Maggie’s Place is our various programs. While Maggie’s Place provides housing for mothers and their babies at difficult times, it is the additional help provided by staff, volunteers and community members that help make the transition to living independently as a united family. One program is Triple P…
When it’s time to taste the food, you know an event is getting close. Yesterday, Board Member Jennifer Galvez, Head of Programs Julie Carlberg, Be A Gift Foundation’s Elaine Donovan and (lucky) me, joined for a tasting for the next Maggie’s Place fundraiser. The Fun-Raiser Fandango is the second time Donovan and her Be A…
“Service to others is the rent you pay for your room here on Earth.” — Muhammad Ali “Volunteers don’t get paid, not because they’re worthless, but because they’re priceless.” – Sherry Anderson “Remember that the happiest people are not those getting more, but those giving more.” ― H. Jackson Brown Jr. Volunteerism is the lifeblood of Maggie’s Place. We’d…
Are you up for the challenge of love, service, compassion and babies? If so, MissionCorps might be for you. At Maggie’s Place, it is the MissionCorps members that serve our moms and babies in each of our homes. They generally spend a year helping mothers and babies, along with helping in the home and…
Thanks are always in order at Maggie’s Place. We are blessed with donations, volunteers, meals and love. Today, we celebrated that love and community at a luncheon provided by Dignity Health Mercy Gilbert. That’s right–the employees at Dignity Health Mercy Gilbert brought lunch to Maggie’s Place moms, staff and board members to celebrate Valentine’s Day.…
Blessings come from everywhere. Did you know you can gift your car to Maggie’s Place? Currently, we are so very grateful for a vehicle gifted to us just this past week. A donor, who found us online, donated a 2000 Chevy Impala with only 38,000 miles to help our moms and babies all across the…
Lent is a week away. What are you doing to prepare? Thought, reflection, prayer? In a meeting with the Maggie’s Place staff yesterday, we took time to reflect on some words from Pope Francis. Perhaps these thoughts will help you prepare for the season as well. Do You Want To Fast This Lent? In the…
Do you ever wonder what is accomplished at Maggie’s Place over the course of a year? The outcomes for 2017 are in. Numbers are important, of course, but here we measure emotional impact as well. “Maggie’s Place has given me stability for the first time in my life. Security that I have a place here,…
There’s still time to make a gift of your Charitable Tax Credit. You can help pregnant and new moms at Maggie’s Place through the Arizona Tax Credit–a great way to make your tax dollars count. You can donate up to $800 to support Maggie’s Place and then get it back when you file your taxes.…
I have attended Mass every Sunday for 57 years. As a Catholic, it is a part of life. That faith drew me to Maggie’s Place. A few months into my year of MissionCorps service, a particular Sunday morning looked quite different. I attended a Christian service with one of the moms in the…
A recent conversation with Laura Magruder, CEO, gives us a deeper insight into what will make a good 2018 for moms and babies at Maggie’s Place. Topping Laura’s list are, “Value, dignity, respect and love.” “The whole purpose of our work is to save and change lives and with our staff, volunteers, board of directors…
Advent- a time of joyful anticipation of a baby’s birth. Not just any ordinary baby, but the baby who would change the world forever. When Mary gave her, “Yes,” her, “Fiat,” and became pregnant with the baby Jesus, she faced many difficult realities. But these difficulties, while very real and painful, were so small in…
When I first started working at Maggie’s Place, I quickly grew to expect a visitor during my Wednesday morning duty shift. This man very generously brought produce to our home, a small gift every week. This gift was often accompanied by a few words of encouragement, of hope, of healing. He always shook my hand as he was leaving, would look…
There’s a turkey on the table, and wafts of pumpkin pie. Thanksgiving is delicious. The house is full of family and friends stopping by. Thanksgiving is familiarity. Mom cooks; we eat and enjoy each other while memories fly. Thanksgiving is company. This year instead of one mom I have many more. Thanksgiving is abundance. I…
At Maggie’s Place, all are welcome. We acknowledge that all who come through our doors have diverse gifts, talents, stories, and wounds. This is applies not only to the moms, MissionCorps, and staff, but extends to our volunteers and donors. To me, this is the most beautiful aspect of Maggie’s Place: that we try our…
As I made the bed of the mom who was about to move in, all I could do was pray that the smell of fresh linens made her feel a little more at home. After all, my mom always said that a freshly made bed was one of the most wonderful things on earth. I…
If there’s one thing I’ve learned at Maggie’s Place, it’s that love is beautiful, even when it’s messy. Our Patron Saint, Mary Magdalene, is a beautiful example of what it means to love, even when love is messy. Before arriving here in the Arizona desert, I already looked up to the example of Mary Magdalene…
The road that brought me to Maggie’s Place at the beginning of August was full of twists and turns; a constant ride of uphill climbs and downhill soars. When I accepted the MissionCorps position in December of my senior year, my spiritual life was at an all-time high. I was so ready to minister to…
“Eleven women of distinct and unique ethnic backgrounds and cultures move into a house together…” This could sound like the beginning of a joke, but at Maggie’s Place, this is the beginning of a daily reality. I live with, work with, and love 10 women of vastly different backgrounds than myself on a daily basis.…
They come to us unexpectedly. They come to us broken, betrayed, and burdened by a world that has let them down. They come to us looking for a place of peace amidst the storm they’ve been trying to survive. Their passage through our front door transforms them from a stranger to our beloved sister in…
As I get older, I find myself speechless by the grace of God more and more often. As it becomes more precious and real to me, it somehow simultaneously becomes a deeper mystery. And the real gift in it is that He shows up with lessons of grace in ways that are upside down and…
A small hesitation that many new moms and Mission Corps have about living at Maggie’s Place is the challenge of sharing a house with so many other women. I grew up as the oldest of 8 children, 7 of whom are female, so in some ways, I was prepared. We strive to create an environment…
Maria stumbles through the door with a heavy car seat. Her baby girl, whom she just picked up from daycare, is crying out of hunger. Maria is exhausted from a hard day’s work, but proceeds to do her chore, feed and change her baby, wash the bottles, and somehow hold a personable conversation with me.…
Fear, triumph, trust, compassion, victory, failure, births, sobriety. Maggie’s Place is full of lots of hard, lots of messy things. Amidst it all, one thing is overwhelmingly true for life at Maggie’s Place: the call to encounter each other in every circumstance. I wasn’t expecting how difficult it would be not to shy away from…
The MissionCorps of Maggie’s Place begin and end the day with the mantra “Divine Providence can provide. Divine Providence did provide. Divine Providence will provide.” We say this as a reminder of the radical trust in God that is required to do our job. We can say this, we can have this trust, because time…
Life in community with mothers, though not a physical mother myself, has opened my eyes to the beauty, pain, joy, and deep love manifest in motherhood. God entrusts to each mother something so precious, so weak, so perfect: a baby. This child longs for communion with her mother. She knows her mother by scent, by…
Maggie’s Place operates on a set of core values: love, hospitality, community, and excellence. These values aren’t easy. In fact, they’re radical. But radicality doesn’t entail impossibility. It just means we need grace. As we inch closer to our 17 year anniversary on May 13, we’re celebrating some of the initial “yeses” that created Maggie’s…
I graduated from Gonzaga University in 2013. As a Jesuit institution, service is something that Gonzaga talks about a LOT. Zags are incredibly service-oriented. It’s instilled in us through service-learning classes and mission trip opportunities and our clubs. Still, I have to admit that post-grad service was not something that ever entered my radar as…
Love rocks at Maggie’s Place in a special way. As a new MissionCorps at Maggie’s Place, I was surprised to learn that, no matter how much love I give, even more is returned. Love is the fuel and driving force behind every new day. This Easter season, I have been thinking a lot about how…
“I don’t know if I’m good enough to be her mother,” she sobbed as I held her newborn daughter in my arms. Not much had gone right in Rose’s life. Her first memory of violence occurred at a mere three years old. Adopted into one abusive family from another, she struggled to maintain healthy relationships.…
In my time at Maggie’s Place, I have cried. I have cried tears of exhaustion after a long day of work, tears of sadness when someone I love is in pain, and tears of frustration when I feel inadequate. Living in a house full of women, it can be extremely challenging to hide those tears.…
At Maggie’s Place we have a saying that the only thing that is constant is change. There is always a new mom moving in after another mom is finishing the program, a new baby being born, or a new MissionCorps transitioning into her role. We learn to love in the transitions and change that happen…
Brown and Spiky. This is how I described Arizona upon my arrival at Maggie’s Place. I grew up surrounded by the lush, green fields of Pennsylvania and taking day trips to the Atlantic Ocean. The brown landscape, pointy plants, dry heat, stinging arachnids, and assorted reptiles are foreign to me, and left me wondering… “What…
In early September of last year, I accepted the offer to be a MissionCorps at Maggie’s Place. Shortly after, a friend asked me what I was most excited about doing at Maggie’s Place. I exploded all over her, describing every little detail of how great it was all going to be. I remember concluding with…
I am a new MissionCorps. And I am not your average MissionCorps. I’m a mom to four adult children and grandma to two with one more on the way. When people learn that I sold my home and my car, and gave away most of my earthly possessions to do a year of service as…
The first time I walked into Maggie’s Place, five boys were staring at me. Three of them were infants, and the other two were bearded, very inquisitive seminarians. Geoffrey and Colm were always around: ministering to moms, listening to corps, painting and fixing the home, but most importantly, holding babies. They were only able to…
I decided I wanted to write about messiness this week, without knowing what that really meant. The idea struck me last week while doing Monday night room checks. I was in the room of one of our moms who seemed to have magical powers: every week her room would go from crazy to clean just…
Those hot, salty tears came streaming down my cheeks and I knew my heart was being torn open in a way I had never experienced before. I was saying goodbye to someone I had only known for 3 months, and yet I was crying more over her leaving than almost anyone else I have ever…
I knelt to the ground, my empty hands open heavenward. I didn’t have any words to form into prayers. My heart completely turned to God, which was more genuine, more sincere than any words could possibly be. It was natural to rely on God, but this moment was entirely trust. I had nothing to offer…
Never in my life have I been so surrounded by witnesses to true charity: in our volunteers, our donors, the staff who give of their time to make the organization what it is, and in the daily sacrifices our moms make for their babies. In little ways, God shows us his generosity through these witnesses.…
This January I transitioned out of serving as a MissionCorps in the homes and now serve as a regular staff member, which means it’s a good time to think of what words of wisdom I have gained over my two years as a MissionCorps. What came to mind were the quotes and mantras that kept…
My story began four years ago. Our bus departed into the dark January night, seats full of shower deprived college students beginning the dreaded overnight journey back from the annual March for Life in Washington D.C. It was my third time making the trip, but this one was different. Before our bus driver kicked it…
sis•ter•hood ˈsistərˌho͝od/ noun 1. the relationship between sisters. 2. an association, society, or community of women linked by a common interest, religion, or trade. I don’t know what I’d do without my sister. We are separated by six years in age but our souls are much closer than that. I’m the oldest but for many…
Dear Elizabeth House Moms, My name is Jennifer. I used to live here at this house for a year. I had my daughter Ava just the day after Christmas. And let me tell you, it was the happiest time in my life. I miss those day a lot! I want you to know that when…
If living in the Maggie’s Place community teaches you anything, it teaches you a thing or two about women. I’ve been reflecting on this because, well, at present our house is home to eleven women. (Though the three baby gentlemen also deserve a shout out.) Here’s a few thoughts on the genius that is femininity.…
Everyone’s life is messy in some way. Lives at Maggie’s Place are frequently messier than average. Our moms are pregnant, homeless, and often scared and alone. Many have been abused or struggled with an addiction. They are working hard to accomplish goals like earning a GED, getting a job, and maintaining their sobriety while carrying…
I can’t help at this time of year but to be reminded of the journey that Mary had to take to get to a safe place to have her baby. She traveled the streets of Bethlehem to find someplace that had space for her to lay her head, a place that was clean and secure. I…
I want to give a shout out to all the MissionCorps, past, present and future. When I was your age, a year of service was the furthest thing from my mind. I was a single mom at that time in my life so I naturally relate to our moms. My year at Maggie’s Place is…
“The smallest thing when done for the love of God is priceless” ~ St. Teresa of Avila It’s been a glorious two and a half months at Maggie’s Place and I am still in awe. I wake up every day with a sense of peace and pride to be an integral part of this delightful…
Waiting is the worst. Waiting for a green light, waiting for the coffeepot, waiting for a bad haircut to grow out. Waiting for a husband, waiting for direction, waiting for the next Masterpiece Mystery to air on PBS. And then there’s the kind of waiting all mothers know. Nine months of it to be exact.…
A few years ago I was on a mission trip to a remote part of Honduras and was struck by the beauty of simplicity. The people I encountered had a joy that came from the bonds of community, the beauty of their surroundings and a deep faith in Christ, despite their material limitations. Encountering different…
“To love at all is to be vulnerable. Love anything and your heart will be wrung and possibly broken. If you want to make sure of keeping it intact you must give it to no one, not even an animal. Wrap it carefully round with hobbies and little luxuries; avoid all entanglements. Lock it up…
It is truly amazing how God gives us the wisdom and understanding we need at the moments we are not expecting it. After a particularly long, hectic and draining day, I sat on the window seat of the Corps bedroom, admittedly feeling a little sorry for myself. I was mindlessly scrolling through Facebook when I…
A Journey in the Desert I truly believe it was God’s grace that led me to Maggie’s Place and His will that I should learn the language of love in action there. The 2nd day I was at The Elizabeth House for my interview, I knew God wanted me there and I had this conviction…
When I came to Maggie’s Place in the summer of 2007, I came with many questions waiting for answers in my heart. I had chosen to come to Maggie’s Place because I loved to be involved in pro-life work and was discerning with a number of religious communities, including the Sisters of Life. The Sisters…
It was not until I was at Maggie’s Place that I truly understood Divine Providence. I had the privilege to be a MissionCorps member at The Magdalene House in 2009, right after the house fire occurred, living in a convent that we affectionately called the “Magvent.” Each day, after Morning and Evening Prayer, we would…
Death and life, destruction and renewal, pain and growth. We all experience these dichotomous but connected realities, but they are especially present in life at Maggie’s Place. By our very mission, we are a place of birth, new life growing and coming into the world. But our homes have purpose only because of the need…
I will never forget the first time I bit into a piece of homemade bread. I don’t remember where I was or who I was with, but I can vividly remember the soft and spongy texture, the subtle salty sweet flavor, and the warmth inside my mouth. I remember feeling shocked at how flavorful it…
Transitions are a constant part of life, especially at Maggie’s Place. If you are like me, you probably have a bittersweet relationship with change. On the one hand, change brings unexplored adventures, opportunities and relationships; on the other hand, it brings different challenges, struggles and sorrow. Change can be exciting, refreshing and absolutely terrifying, all…
On Sunday I heard a beautiful sermon about the woman at the well and her encounter with the living God. I will turn 51 before I leave Maggie’s Place. I’ve spent this year of service also praying for my future husband. Unlike the woman at the well, I’ve never been married, but I can relate…
When I was a tween I was obsessed with celebrities. I had pictures of my favorites all over my walls and could tell you a million factoids about all their lives. I idolized them because I wanted to be just like them: famous, attractive, important and rich. A few years later my focus had shifted…
Merriam-Webster’s simple definition of generosity: The quality of being kind, understanding, and not selfish: the quality of being generous; especially: willingness to give money and other valuable things to others. One of the most wonderful things to me about Maggie’s Place is the generosity of our donors and volunteers. I continue to be blown away…
“Last night was the first time I had ever blown out my own birthday candles or had birthday cake,” she said casually. “My mom was an alcoholic so, I guess she just forgot most of the time.” Birthday cake. Something I never thought of as a luxury. These are the words of a woman I…
Over the course of the day, I’ve had so many different emotions ranging from excitement and happiness to sadness, guilt and selfishness. An interesting day to say the least! I’m truly missing home since I just moved across the country to become a MissionCorps member at Maggie’s Place. All good stuff happened today. I had…
I bustled around the kitchen from pan to pan, stirring this one then that, checking the numerous dishes in the oven. I was expecting company, and I wanted everything to be just so. Though it was August, I was single handedly preparing a full Thanksgiving feast at The Hannah House for 10 of my newest…
Crafting is a hallmark of Maggie’s Place living. Here’s a small taste of some crafting I have done in case you don’t believe me: Whether you’re into it or not, it is certainly a part of the culture of the homes. Every role of the community presents an opportunity for making crafts.…
“Hello, thanks for calling Maggie’s Place, The Magdalene House! This is Maggie speaking.” Ever since my interview with Maggie’s Place, the joke has been to see how many times someone would ask me if I was the founder of Maggie’s Place. It has happened more times than I ever imagined it would. How humbling. No,…
I know a mom who was faced with the prospect of divorce for conceiving her son out of wedlock. She had to travel a great distance late in her third trimester for a government census. When it came time to give birth to her child, she was out on the streets. No medical professionals were…
As I’m sure all the MissionCorps who have lived with me can attest, I love liturgical seasons and feast days, and I like to live them out beyond church – with food, decorations, prayers, and traditions. Naturally, I am excited about the Extraordinary Jubilee Year of Mercy. It’s kind of a big deal. And on…
The other day, I went to Fiat with our moms for my very last Maggie’s Place house outing. It was the Prayer Angels event and moms from all of the homes were present. It was a great evening where everyone was able to sit down to a meal and fellowship together. I found myself sitting…
Cauliflower makes great mashed potatoes. Washing a bottle, making breakfast, and dressing a baby can in fact all be done at the same time. Things that look like lasagna or ham in the freezer may turn out to be enchiladas or part of a turkey when thawed. Otter pops are delicious. Disinfecting wipes are one…
In our First Reading, the Prophet Daniel recounts how God dealt with His people “in a time of great distress.” He sent them Michael the Archangel to be a guardian for them. The days before Jesus came into the life of Mary Magdalen, the Patron Saint of Maggie’s Place, were for her “a time unsurpassed…
Each year brings new surprises and adventures, and this summer, especially so. Earlier this year I had no idea what I was going to do this summer. I didn’t know where I was called to go. There came a point where I was praying in church one day and practically begged God to send me…
When I came to Maggie’s Place back in January this year, there was one mom who had already been here since July of 2015. Her son was born in August. I became her “contact person” in February when we were paired together for the remainder of her stay at Maggie’s Place. Jacquelyn and I share…
Maggie’s Place encourages all of the women who come through our doors and their decision to choose life amidst uncertainties and a lack of support. We are currently working on a video project to highlight the decision to choose life through adoption. In creating this video, the goal is to show the impact of adoption from a…
“The greatest disease in the West today is not TB or leprosy; it is being unwanted, unloved, and uncared for. We can cure physical diseases with medicine, but the only cure for loneliness, despair, and hopelessness is love. There are many in the world who are dying for a piece of bread but there are…
I have always been surrounded by family, especially my parents and four siblings. I would have never imagined that I could learn so much about family while being 28 hours away from them during my service at Maggie’s Place. My Own Family- Selfless First, I found out how supportive my family was when my…
I started my summer volunteer experience as a MissionCorps member on May 14th and just celebrated my one month anniversary here as the Donations and House Operations Coordinator. Being able to witness the other Corps members, who are such calm problem solvers and loving friends to the moms, has been such a blessing to me…
The other day I was giving a mom with a pinched nerve a shoulder massage, and was thinking, “Wow, masseuse is a new one!” At Maggie’s Place, we MissionCorps do a lot of different jobs and wear a lot of different hats. Some I expected, and some are surprises. MissionCorps may be our official title,…
I’m often asked to share what it’s like living and working at Maggie’s Place and most of the time I feel like… So here’s anoter whack at it with the help of some wonderful GIFs (and a couple memes)! When a donor comes to the door and says, “Hi, I just wanted to drop…
When asked how I first heard about Maggie’s Place and how I ended up here, I usually respond casually with “It took a lot of help from the Holy Spirit.” I explain how I read about it in the Catholic Volunteer Network magazine and my professors in college really encouraged me to look into it.…
My laptop is in the process of dying. Every time I turn it on, it makes a weird scraping, crackling, nails-on-chalkboard noise and every time I think it is actually going to explode right in that moment. But it doesn’t. So it’s thankfully given me some time to go through old documents and pictures to…
The crickets were chirping in Charlotte, North Carolina. All the members of my extended family were gathered around the table playing cards, but my mom and I were both hysterically crying in the back bedroom. I had just received a phone call from my physician with some shocking news. News that I was not anticipating…
gratitude [grat-i-tood, -tyood] noun 1. the quality or feeling of being grateful or thankful: She expressed her gratitude to all of the donors and volunteers of Maggie’s Place. When I first interviewed at Maggie’s Place last November, I remember being overwhelmed by the generosity of the donors and volunteers. I knew that God had called…
April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month Maggie’s Places uses “Protective Factors” in our programming for moms to eliminate risk of abuse. Protective Factors are an evidence-based method to help people more effectively deal with stressful events. Maggie’s Place programming includes individualized family coaching. Families work one-on-one with a family coach to set goals and…
Thank you so much for giving of your time, talent, and treasures to the moms and babies that call Maggie’s Place home. You’ve made a difference in their lives with your thoughtful presence. Everything from bringing a meal to one of our homes, doing house coverage, joining us for a Serve Saturday and anything in…
“Are there any babies yet?” This has been an everyday question at our home for the past five months! Since October, we have not had a single baby at our house because four of our moms are due in April and the rest are due even later. We have been playing the waiting game for…
April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month Maggie’s Places uses “Protective Factors” in our programming for moms to eliminate risk of abuse. Protective Factors are an evidence-based method to help people more effectively deal with stressful events. Maggie’s Place programs construct and support social connections so moms are able to build a support network. Mothers need…
The longer I am at Maggie’s Place, the more frequently I find myself thanking God for my fellow MissionCorps. To my roommates, best friends, heroes, and workmates, this is for you! To the very first 5 of you: First of all, I now completely understand what it feels like to have that last bit of…
I was inspired to share this modge podge of a morning offering prayer that I pray. It has bits from Psalm 51, the first book of Kings, and a prayer to St. Thomas More that Pope Francis says daily (because a healthy dose of humor in our daily lives is very beneficial!). Thank you Lord for…
My life changed a few years ago when I came to really know Jesus. I grew up knowing about Him but I didn’t really know Him until He found me and changed my heart. The most recent change is how the Lord led me to Maggie’s Place. As a single mom myself, I have always…
From the moment you were conceived, I loved you! I didn’t know what to do, but for you, I would climb any mountain to give you a better life. I carried you in my belly for 9 months. My body changed, nights became restless and I felt every kick and somersault. It wasn’t easy but…
Dear Maggie’s Place Moms, Did you know that you are the strongest group of women I know? I have watched so many of you come to Maggie’s Place, afraid and unsure, and slowly grow in confidence and trust. Some of you have lost children to miscarriage. Some of you have gone through incredibly difficult pregnancies…
Every time Maggie’s Place opens a new home, it is placed under the patronage of a saint. To date, we have homes named for St. Mary Magdalene, St. Elizabeth, St. Michael, St. Zachariah and St. Hannah. We ask them to intercede for us when we pray as a community every day. However, there are other…
I have just begun my second year as a MissionCorps and resident of The Michael House. Since moving in on January 15, 2015, I have lived with 36 women, and 9 born babies, and have lived with as many as 14 women at one time. Regardless of our individual characters or habits, that’s a big…
During a contact meeting with a mom, we had the convo card* that expressed the meaning of a REAL MAN. The fact that the mom had picked this particular card was ironic because she had just finished telling me why she wanted nothing to do with men. She giggled. I laughed. And we both became…
My first contact mom had a very healthy, robust baby, who was also probably the angriest baby I’ve ever met. His mom went to school to get her CNA certification, and so the Corps ended up babysitting him at odd times to fill in for other sitters while she was at school. Some good things…
“A community which is just an explosion of heroism is not a true community. True community implies a way of life, a way of living and seeing reality; it implies above all fidelity of the daily round. And this is made of simple things—getting meals, using and washing dishes and using them again, going to…
The 1999 comedy film, Baby Geniuses, with Sylvester and his infant cohorts gleefully outwitting the sinister Doctors Kinder and Heep, is an all-time favorite at The Elizabeth House. Unlike Dan Bobbin, we cannot for the most part understand baby babble, and try as we might, we can’t remember that time long ago before we “crossed…
The Joyful Mysteries: Meditation on the joy at the anticipation and arrival of the long awaited Messiah. The first Mystery: The Annunciation “Be it done unto me” -Luke 1:38 My God, when I interviewed for Maggie’s Place, I heard your invitation. It was an invitation to put my trust in you and rely on your…
The Christmas season is all about having hope in Jesus’ mercy and love. God’s people hoped and prayed for a Savior. The Israelites believed the Messiah would be a gallant leader who would rid Judea of Rome’s tyranny. Hope is powerful although the things we hope for don’t always turn out the way we imagine.…
A few months ago, in May to be exact, I was preparing The Elizabeth House for the Feast of the Visitation. I was in charge of planning the festivities, which included a candle-lit prayer service in our backyard’s Marian grotto. I decided that the grotto’s foliage needed some sprucing up beforehand because a thicket of…
Over 2000 years ago, a young woman found herself pregnant in a less than ideal circumstance. She was young and didn’t have the knowledge or resources to raise a baby. As she approached childbirth, she didn’t have the best support system or a stable place to live. The first few places that she reached out…
Driving around Phoenix the other day, “I’ll be home for Christmas” came on the radio. I began humming and soon was singing the song. Sure enough, when the line, “I’ll be home for Christmas, if only in my dreams,” was drawled out by Bing or Frank or whichever crooner sings that song, I burst into…
Simple living, especially relying on donations and Divine Providence to provide for what we need, makes you appreciate little things more. In the spirit of Thanksgiving, here are some of the little things that I have come to appreciate greatly while living at Maggie’s Place: Something coming in a donation that you just put on…
In my past year and a half at Maggie’s Place, more often than not, people who hear what I am doing, remark with a “Wow, that must be so rewarding!” response to my story. Unfortunately, though, most of us MissionCorps do not go to bed at night with this on our mind. Either we are…
At Maggie’s Place, we have four core values that we strive to live by as MissionCorps and staff: love, hospitality, community, and excellence. Within the pillar of hospitality, we strive to welcome every mom, baby, donor, volunteer and anyone else who is a guest in our home with dignity and love. Each individual offers us…
A few weeks ago, I found myself driving downtown to the women’s homeless shelter to pick up a new mom and bring her back to The Zechariah House. Before I even reached the shelter and read the sign I knew which building it occupied because there were a number of women loitering on the sidewalk…
I want to show you a little bit of what life is like as a MissionCorps member at Maggie’s Place. Enter the On Duty Apron. Actually, let me back up. Maggie’s Place is a community of many homes of hospitality for homeless pregnant women, each staffed by full-time, live-in volunteers called MissionCorps, who volunteer a…
I recently began training for an Ironman triathlon. I know, I am crazy. Now that we have established that; Throughout training, there have been moments of weakness. “Stop now,” my body says, “This is not good for you. You need to stop, you can’t handle this.” “What the heck are you doing? This is too…
Go across the country to a place caught in a strange undertow of time, a swift current, strangely paused in July. Never to doubt your mission and Live a life willing to challenge the currents of culture, to be misunderstood by society governed by wealth and success, confident that eternity is more valuable than rewards…
Do whatever He tells you. Do whatever He tells you. These words are repeated in my head so often throughout the day. Mary, the Mother of Jesus, said these words to the servants at the wedding at Cana. These words are the reason I am here serving at Maggie’s Place. Do whatever He tells you.…
One of my first glimpses into life at Maggie’s Place was the packing list sent out for my interview. “Bring something you don’t mind getting spit up on!” Throughout the past few months at The Zechariah House, I have been spit up on… a lot. I have come to the conclusion that you can learn…
Living in the Maggie’s Place homes is an awesome and fulfilling experience. When you are done living in the homes, you feel that you have mastered all situations good and bad. For instance: My contact mom didn’t come home last night, I’m worried, but it always works out. 5 casseroles just showed up at my door,…
About two months into my time at Maggie’s Place, all of the Summer Corps were gathered together for dinner, swimming, and a reflection on our time in the homes. During this discussion, we read a section of the Maggie’s Place book in which Mary Peterson talks about what she didn’t realize she was saying “yes”…
My first contact with Maggie’s Place was through the website, after a friend from Phoenix suggested I check it out in my search for a place to do a year of service. From the website it sounded just like what I was looking for, but better. The MissionCorps recruitment video never fails to inspire even…
This week marks four months since I decided to apply to Maggie’s Place, three months since my interview, and two months since I moved into The Zechariah House. Overall, my journey after graduating from college and moving onto Maggie’s Place happened very quickly–almost in a whirlwind. I’ve barely had time to stop and process everything…
My contact mom, Lacey, is moving out of Maggie’s Place after having lived here for over a year. So what does one year at Maggie’s Place look like? You move in without really knowing what Maggie’s Place is beforehand; when you get to your new home for the first time, you realize it really is…
“And what happened, then? Well, in Whoville they say – that the Grinch’s small heart grew three sizes that day. And then – the true meaning of Christmas came through, and the Grinch found the strength of *ten* Grinches, plus two!” Nope, it is not Christmas here in Phoenix. I promise! And my blog won’t…
Ring, ring…ring, ring….. “Maggie’s Place, The Hannah House, this is Gretchen, how may I help you?” “Yes, I would like to speak to Maggie, please. Is she available?” Every once in a while, the MissionCorps get this question when we answer the phone and it always makes us chuckle! You see, Maggie is not the…
I once heard it said that Maggie’s Place is nobody’s comfort zone. While we seek to make our houses into homes, there is an element to our lives shared in common that is very uncomfortable. It’s not comfortable for the moms to be in place where they are held accountable, where they are challenged to…
I am moving out of Maggie’s Place this weekend and it all feels surreal to me. It is hard to believe that I’ve been here for over a year, and that my time of service as a MissionCorps member is ending. I have to admit that I’ve been pretty nostalgic over the past few weeks –…
In my two months at Maggie’s Place, I have seen amazing things happen. My contact mom recently gave birth to her son and I was able to see the miracle of new life and a mother’s love. A few weeks ago, I saw moms cry as they read notes from people who had been praying…
As my time at Maggie’s Place comes to a close, I’ve taken some time to reflect on the lessons that God has taught me since I came. Looking back, I’ve realized how providential the opportunity was for me in coming to Maggie’s Place. When I booked my flights in April the only flight available to…
I’ll soon be starting my 3rd year at Maggie’s Place and as the approaching anniversary comes, there’s a lot of mixed feelings that follow. I’ve had to say goodbye to a lot of my dearest friends and some of the most wonderful people that have taught me to grow in so many ways: volunteers, staff,…
Last Saturday, The Zechariah House hosted a party to celebrate the Feast Day of St. John the Baptist, our patron saint. Next week, we’re having a Candlelight to celebrate the time we had with one of our Summer Corps. The following week, we’ll have a party to commemorate one of our mom’s one year of…
The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others. – Mahatma Gandhi Like-minded women come to Maggie’s Place to serve a common purpose. We work together daily to provide a dignified and welcoming home for the women who call us seeking shelter. When I first signed on for a…
“So what exactly is Maggie’s Place?” “Well, Maggie’s Place consists of homes of hospitality for women who are pregnant, seeking shelter, and– ” “Wait, so it’s like a shelter?” “Sort of, but it’s much more than that!” Having served at Maggie’s Place for almost a full year now (!!!), I have had to answer these…
Breaking now… The Michael House community fridge. The air conditioning in the ’02 van. The chair out front (Melissa now has a bruise down her arm). Oh wait, I meant to tell you breaking news. Right. Well, all of the above are true, unfortunately, but they’re all going to be fixed too, praise God, except…
July 18th will be my 2-year anniversary at Maggie’s Place. I’ve lived and served all this time at The Michael House as a live-in volunteer, or MissionCorps member. I have a full and demanding schedule, and it’s no joke living where you work, but despite the challenges, I can’t imagine a better way to have…
When considering a year of service, there can be many factors that motivate a young person to seek out an opportunity, including everything from seeking adventure to gaining “real world” experience before grad school. For Maggie’s Place MissionCorps, many of these motivations are rooted in the desire to serve others, to give of oneself in an intensive…
“I miss the peace here.” I was really surprised. I was having a conversation with a mom who had moved out of Maggie’s Place a few months before, and from my view, the house during her time was anything but peaceful. There must have been something more than surface tensions that she felt – something…
Last week marked the 15 year anniversary of the opening of Maggie’s Place! Since 2000, Maggie’s Place has opened its doors to over 700 mothers and their children. As a first year MissionCorps, it has been such a blessing to share in a small part of the Maggie’s Place legacy by living, working, serving, and…
When so much can be said it’s often hard to find what to say. As I sit to write this, we are celebrating today 15 years of blessings at The Magdalene House. I’m not sure what is fit for me to say regarding our home when I’ve only had the privilege of serving here for…
The Gospel of John tells us, “Jesus said to his disciples, ‘As the Father loves me, so I also love you. Remain in my love.’” The love of God – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit – is perfect. Our human love is far from it! We each have personal ways of giving and receiving love,…
I’m going to brag about my contact mom, Lacey. Lacey is 20 years old and has been at Maggie’s Place since August of 2014, when she was just a few months pregnant and unsure of what she wanted to do other than move in to Maggie’s Place. She plans to continue living at the house…
A few months ago, way back in February actually, I made plans to come home and booked my April flight for a week-long vacation. I was very excited and looking forward to the visit. One of my friends was becoming a priest and another was getting married! Little did I know then, that our MissionCorps…
G. K. Chesterton, in his book Orthodoxy, talks about repetition of events in Creation as a theatrical encore. “God says every morning, ‘Do it again’ to the sun and every evening, ‘Do it again’ to the moon’” because God never tires of making new days! And to remember that each day is a creation willed…
Christ is Risen! Indeed He is Risen! This is the joyful greeting that we exchange on the glorious morning of Easter Sunday! After the shadow and sadness of Good Friday, this greeting is most welcome and comes bursting out from the hearts of those who have witnessed the glory and love of God. This is…
Welcome to our home. We are so glad to have you over, as tonight is the best night of the week. It’s Monday night, which means we get to have a meal around our 10-seater dining room table. Come join us as we circle around the island. We’ll start with the mom on my left…
As my time living and working at Maggie’s Place is winding down, and my exit date rapidly approaches, I have been reflecting on all the things I’ve learned and experienced in the past two years. In no particular order, the following is a list of why you should become a MissionCorps member at Maggie’s Place……
When volunteers and donors come to the homes, they often ask in one way or another, “What is your success rate?” By this they typically mean how many moms get jobs, further their education, and are generally stable enough to care for themselves and their child by the time leave. These are legitimate questions; however,…
Living in community with those you serve and those with whom you serve is one of the most unique experiences you can give yourself. You learn very quickly what makes your fellow community members tick. You learn their love languages, their ways of expressing frustration, their likes, and their dislikes. You learn their pet peeves…
Courage has been one of the qualities for which I have consistently requested prayers during my time a Maggie’s Place. You can ask my fellow MissionCorps; it’s pretty much my staple prayer request! I realize how many times I am feeble in addressing certain issues with the moms and holding them accountable to the rules,…
“To love another person is to see the face of God.” That is a famous quote from Victor Hugo’s novel, Les Misérables. If you’ve ever seen the play or watched the musical, I hope you sang those words in your head (as I often do!) when you read them. I ask you now to say…
A few weeks ago, one of our moms here had her four older children—three sons and one daughter— over for a sleepover. While we were making lunch, her kids were having a discussion about what makes a person rich. One piped up and said, “You are rich if you have gold!” while another chimed in…
We talk a lot about Motherhood. This makes sense, after all Mothers are being made day after day before our eyes. Motherhood is something to be celebrated. And yet, what of the fathers? They are just as integral to the lives of these children. True, they do not carry them in their wombs, they do…
#MaggiesPlaceProblems #15 – When you go to answer the door and realize you’re still wearing a cape you found in donations #7 – When you live with 10 women and realize you get awkward around men #17 – When you have so many cute scarfs and only one neck and a short winter…
Today is my Mom’s birthday—my actual mom, not one of the moms I live with at The Michael House who I continually refer to as “my moms.” Today my mom turns one year older (Happy 29th Mom!) and it gets me thinking about how lucky I am to have such an amazing person to call…
“7:00 AM? Really? OK…we can do that, I guess.” The moms had voted an early morning time to open their Christmas presents at the Zechariah House. I knew the MissionCorps would have a late night Christmas Eve. We went to midnight Mass and still had “elf-work” to do afterward. On top of all this, I…
Community in the homes is very special, especially around this time of Christmas. This will be my first Christmas at Maggie’s Place and I am really looking forward to it. Maggie’s Place has become my home away from home; each mom brings her own color to the Maggie’s Place family, and it is beautiful to…
Things get very difficult in our homes at times. Lately there has been particular suffering in the homes back to back, and all the homes seem to be going through these struggles the last couple of months. What I’ve learned is that the only thing that helps when we have done everything else, and the…
I was recently driving back from a Corps meeting when I stopped at red light. Here I saw a homeless man and young woman who seemed very uneasy with her surroundings, possibly even scared. While this is not an unusual sight around Phoenix sadly, it struck me differently this time. It shook me so that…
Dearest Sisters- This letter has been a long time coming, and I only pray that the Holy Spirit grants me the right words to convey the depth of my gratitude to each and every one of you. I had all sorts of different ideas of what made a community when I came to Maggie’s Place.…
Preparing for motherhood was not one of the things I had in mind when applying to Maggie’s Place. Of course I knew there would be babies to be held, diapers to be changed, and crying to be soothed, but what I didn’t expect was the motherly dynamic of loving the mothers of these babies. Sure,…
When I try to explain to someone exactly what I do, I often can’t find the words and many of the descriptions I attempt to give fall flat. Being a corps member at a Maggie’s Place home is a strange and wonderful occupation to have. Your Monday can feel like it’s lasted for a week, and…
As a new MissionCorps member who lives in the house, I learned very quickly that what everyone had been saying, about Maggie’s Place being like family, or the houses becoming your homes really was true. I became aware of this newfound family very quickly, with the way I began to care about the women and…
If you go on a tour of every Maggie’s Place home, you will see that they are all unique—the Elizabeth House has a garden in the backyard and a stained-glass window in the chapel, the Magdalene House has several different buildings on the property, and the Michael House is open and one-storied. We are located…
When I first started looking into Maggie’s Place, one of the aspects that appealed most to me was our core values and how they enable us to concretely live the mission of welcoming women into a community filled with love and dignity. Our four core values are: love, hospitality, community, and excellence. As MissionCorps members,…
A few weeks ago, I was invited to take a hike with a fellow MissionCorps member and a friend. We decided to try Camelback Mountain, and when we set off in the early morning I was feeling very confident and very excited to climb my first Arizona summit! After a few minutes of walking, however,…
There is a beautiful image of Mary and Eve that I really love in which Mary is comforting Eve. The colors are vibrant and the message it conveys is a comfort to me. As Mary crushes the serpent that is wrapped around Eve’s leg, she holds Eve’s hand to her rounded belly, sharing with her…
I’ve heard this saying, “You must live with people to know their problems, and live with God in order to solve them,” (Peter Taylor Forsyth). It sounds nice, doesn’t it? It is a gentle reminder to have genuine, intentional relationships with people and a genuine, intentional relationship with God to help those people. But, I…
Before coming to Maggie’s Place almost two months ago, I don’t think I understood just how spoiled I truly was. I had enjoyed many beautiful trips, a wonderful college education, and generous support from all of my family and friends. I thanked God for these things every day, but little did I know that these…
Yesterday afternoon, I came home and there was a strange car in our parking lot. That actually happens pretty much every day, so I wasn’t alarmed or too concerned. Our house coverage volunteer informed me that a woman who used to live here had stopped by, and was in the backyard. I immediately racked my…
I just came back from an amazing retreat! The theme? True Friendship. We discovered what it meant to will the true well-being of another, even risking conflict, and to have that feeling be mutual between both individuals involved. Charity is something else though, it is when you love others as God loves you. I never…
I was given an empty building – with a lot of potential for a thrift store concept. It already had fresh paint, clean floors, and empty spaces. I had already scouted out the fixtures I wanted to buy or had been stock piling ones I got for free on Craigslist. Then came the people. As…
6:30 a.m. – A mom wakes me up to take her medication before heading out for the day. 7:20 a.m. – Another mom wakes me up to take her medication before going to work. 8:00 a.m. – It’s breakfast time! Corps and moms are in and out of the kitchen while everyone prepares for their…
There is something nice about just being. About enjoying the presence of the people around you. So many times, and I am largely guilty of this, people living together have their own agendas, their own to-do-lists, and their own interests. And those are all good things to have – we were each created individually with…
For as long as I can remember, I have always strongly disliked change. I like things to be very predictable. My parents once threw me a surprise birthday party and as you can image, for someone who likes to know exactly what is happening at all times, that party ended in tears. I am the…
As I prepare to leave Maggie’s Place after eight weeks, I have an abundance of thoughts running through my mind. Most of them consist of reminding myself not to cry, because I know the moms will make fun of me if I do, but I’m actually alright with that – I’m used to their teasing…
“Home is where the heart is.” As cliché as this saying has become in our society, its meaning is beyond measure. It means that home is not bound by walls or defined by familial ties. Home is not a stagnant place where you simply eat, sleep and breathe. Rather, home is wherever you love and…
“See the world” has always been my answer to the age old question, “What is your deepest desire?” When I was little it was my automated response to adults who were interested in what I wanted to do when I grew up. When I learned of bucket lists, after watching the heartfelt movie The Bucket…
Moving from rural northern New York to my new suburban surroundings in Arizona took me a couple of months to get acclimated to the many changes I encountered, some of which I hadn’t fully anticipated. Slowly, I conquered one small hurdle after another – I got used to being three hours behind my family and…
I was recently visited by a friend I went to school with. A year ago she did mission work in Mexico and two weeks ago she graduated from college, just a couple of days before flying into Phoenix. It was so nice to catch up with each other and share with her a bit of…
To the outside world, I look completely normal, mentally stable and healthy. But inside there is a gnawing desire; it eats at me day and night, controlling my every thought. It’s a monster that takes control more often than not. I wake up at the kitchen table, paper strewn everywhere, dull scissors next to my…
It has been nearly two years since I came to Maggie’s Place to serve as a MissionCorps, and during this time not a single day (or night) has gone by that I haven’t been struck by a mother’s love. It seems to me an almost supernatural ability the mothers have to sacrifice, love and put…
Life at Maggie’s Place is hard—plain and simple. It’s not hard because of the moms’ backgrounds or their current situations that are lined with a million different frustrating scenarios. It’s not hard because of the struggles of community life; like when it’s your turn to clean the kitchen and there is a sink full of…
Many people expect to come and visit Maggie’s Place in order to serve our moms and babies. Those that serve want to give them love and support—which is good, but is it really the whole picture of what goes on at Maggie’s Place? After living here for a few months, I have learned the beauty…
This blog post was originally going to be about how the little, everyday moments are what make life at Maggie’s Place wonderful. Nice, simple and a glimpse into daily life—done. However, while working on my post, it was getting late so I decided to head to bed before putting the finishing touches on it. I…
All our moms at Maggie’s Place are courageous, there is no doubt about that. It requires great strength and determination to face the situations in their lives and come through with a smile on their face. I always tell people that nothing surprises me anymore at Maggie’s Place, but I’ve come to never expect ‘nothing’.…
Maggie’s Place is all about the love. Moms come to our homes for many reasons, but are always rooted in love for their child. Volunteers, donors and the local community support our mission out of love, charity and generosity. As MissionCorps, we spend our time and energy simply because we love the moms and babies…
Surprises can be so good. An unexpected piece of mail or phone call from someone you love, the timing of the birth of a baby, Jesus’ disciples finding His tomb empty on Easter morning, or 50 teenagers showing up in your backyard to sing a concert. That last one really happened. To be completely truthful,…
Lent—a time set aside to help us reflect, pause and grow in silence, to deepen our relationship with Christ. Sometimes I wish the rest of the world would get the memo and cooperate with my selfish desire to have 40 days to be a hermit, and come out a better person. As much as I…
At Maggie’s Place, we are blessed each and every day with so many gifts. Some of them are tangible and address basic physical needs such as laundry detergent, groceries or printer ink; while others are intangible acts of goodwill—prayers from the community, kind words, or volunteers who tend to the garden so the house can…
Often times, I feel like I get caught up in the “me” side of things when it comes to Lent. What’s the easiest thing for me to give up? What’s going to hurt the least and put me out as little as possible? When I was a kid, I remember giving up chocolate milk at…
I have found that people are extremely curious about my life at Maggie’s Place; what I do, how I do it and why. Every conversation, even with my family, turns into a discussion panel—me standing up there alone explaining, re-explaining and defending my work. Things common to my everyday life are foreign concepts for my…
Recently I was vacationing in Flagstaff with a friend, where we decided to stay in a hostel for the night. As we checked in and milled around the common room, people started asking us the normal get-to-know-you questions. Being a MissionCorps member at Maggie’s Place, I dread this very ordinary social interaction, because often right…
The Zechariah House in Cleveland, OH celebrated Valentine’s Day in style by welcoming 73 guests to the College Club on February 13th, for the “2nd Annual Wine & Dine for Maggie’s Place” benefit. Mia Bella Restaurant, a two-time “Best of Little Italy” award winner in Cleveland, provided a wonderful Italian meal and variety of fine wines for sampling,…
It doesn’t take a big heart to serve, just a broken one. The longer I have been at Maggie’s Place, the more convinced I am of the truth of this statement. It is our humanness that allows the community at our homes to flourish. Just last week I was downtown helping a new mom gather…
Do you ever wonder what it’s like to be pregnant? Well, I can’t speak from experience, but I do happen to know quite a few women who can shed some light on being pregnant—and often do. From what I’ve experienced at Maggie’s Place, I could answer that it’s looking forward to ultrasounds, deciding between the…
A MissionCorps member reflects on her time of service with Maggie’s Place. It’s impossible to merely ‘sum up’ the last year and a half of living and serving in this truly blessed ministry, where God’s love abounds and every day is so full of life, unconditional love, amazing people, heartbreaking struggles, astonishing accomplishments and the…
Maggie’s Place is an unrepeatable experience. It is a kaleidoscope of every human struggle, and every human joy. We celebrate the beginning of life as we welcome brand new human beings into this world. We dream together about their futures. We pray that they can find the beauty in this broken world, and that they…
After a detailed application and interview process, Maggie’s Place selected the recipients of the Becky Most Scholarship Fund who will receive $500 to $1,000 scholarships. Congratulations again to our winners! Please read more about the recipients below. The Becky Most Scholarship Fund is named in honor of a beloved staff member who was killed in…
Christmas is one of our favorite times of the year at Maggie’s Place – when we remember the birth of a child who would bring hope to the world. Each year, we realize how big our community is growing at our annual Christmas party. Hundreds of Maggie’s Place current and alumnae families attend, reuniting over…
I distinctly recall a moment at Maggie’s Place when I said to a staff member, “tell me the secret of Maggie’s Place.” The executive director and co-founder at the time responded with a single word, “love.” To a certain extent, one could say the words heart and love are interdependent: to have either, both must…
It’s already Advent, and we are just a few weeks away from one of the biggest days of the year. At Maggie’s Place, we’ve been preparing for Christmas since July. It is a busy, but beautiful time of year where we gather to celebrate not only our Maggie’s Place family, but also the birth of…
I read a story a few months ago (here) that has really struck a strong chord with me. It is basically about a girl who helps out her neighbor in a pinch. Her neighbor is going through drug rehab, has a toddler, and was in a dark place in life. I mean, really, Godlessly dark.…
“We have all known the long loneliness and we have learned that the only solution is love and that love comes with community.” – Dorothy Day When I was thinking about coming to serve at Maggie’s Place, one of the aspects that appealed to me most was the community life. As a Corps member, I…
“Patience is a virtue.” I, like many others, grew up hearing this phrase as a catch-all for whenever I was antsy, in a rush, or simply wanting instant gratification. I never really questioned it, taking to heart that patience was indeed a virtue, one that I did not possess as a child! As I grew…
It was quite the menagerie that showed up to the Maggie’s Place Halloween Party this past weekend. Current and alumnae moms, staff, MissionCorps, and of course lots of extra cute, extra chubby, extra energetic kids dressed in their Halloween best came together to do one of the things Maggie’s Place does best: celebrate. As was…
On a recent jaunt to one of the Maggie’s Place homes, I took a moment to toss some donations into the St. Vincent DePaul donation bin. When you spend much of your day in an office, a little physical labor can be quite refreshing! After the moment of donation bin athletics, I went into the…
MAGGIE’S PLACE RECEIVES $600,000 GRANT FROM THE BOB & RENEE PARSONS FOUNDATION TO OPEN THE HANNAH HOUSE Maggie’s Place will open its fourth Arizona Home, The Hannah House, thanks to a generous $600,000 grant from The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation, an Arizona-based charitable foundation established by Renee Parsons and her husband, GoDaddy founder, Bob…
I received my undergraduate degree at a university well-known for its engineering program. I, however, received a degree in Psychology – so you could say my homework didn’t require that I solve as many problems as other students on campus. All the same, I really like when solutions to life’s dilemmas are reached. Within the…
This month, we celebrate the two-year anniversary of Maggie’s Thrift! As time continues, we only get busier and more successful, thanks to our donors who contribute to our success in a most tangible way. Every donation is put to good use; whether it is sold to a family who needs the item, passed on to…
Our volunteers and donors are fantastic. Generosity truly does keep our doors open and our house afloat. Sometimes there is a desperate need and Divine Providence provides suddenly in the last minute. Other times, a seemingly simple gift makes all the difference. Things like putting documents in a file in chronological order or decorating a…
Maggie’s Place is excited to announce Laura Magruder as the new Maggie’s Place Executive Director. Magruder was selected after a several-month search, and came to Maggie’s Place from Communities in Schools of Arizona where she served as Executive Director and State Director. Magruder brings over 20 years of diversified experience serving in leadership capacities in the…
These last few weeks have been especially busy at The Michael House as we prepared to receive new moms, welcomed two women interviewing to become MissionCorps members, and trained many new volunteers and student interns from ASU and GCC. All of this on top of practicing Simple September and juggling babysitting for one of our…
Recently, I had the blessing of leading a small group on a tour through our lovely home, The Magdalene House. Although it was a crazy-busy day and I had about 412 things on my to-do list, the break of showing the house to a mother and her five children was exactly what I needed. They…
You might see the term “Simple September” posted on our website or mentioned in our homes this month. Wondering what all the buzz is about? Time for a little Maggie’s Place history: Several years ago, our account balance dropped so low that we were unable to make payroll. Our leadership team asked the homes…
In the crazy hustle and bustle of the day, sometimes all it takes is one small thing to bring you joy. It’s so easy to get all wrapped up in your “to do list” that sometimes we just become overwhelmed with life! When this happens, especially at Maggie’s Place, I’ve learned to take a mental…
Recently, I started my third year at Maggie’s Place. I wanted to share a list of five experiences that have inspired me during my time here! #5. Getting dozens and dozens of eggs donated just days before we had a big omelette extravaganza planned. And the …
Welcome to our redesigned website and updated brand! We’re thrilled to present this fresh look to our work of providing expectant women a place to call home during their pregnancy. Take a quick tour to learn more about our mission, including: More stories and photos of the moms, babies and MissionCorps members who have lived in…
On behalf of the moms, staff and board members of Maggie’s Place Ohio and The Zechariah House, we want to thank you for joining us on Sunday, June 23 for our first-ever golf scramble at Fowler’s Mill Golf Course in Chesterland! We were happy to welcome 68 golfers to our event.
After a detailed application and interview process, Maggie’s Place selected this year’s recipients who will both receive $1,000 scholarships. Congratulations again to our winners! Please read more about this year’s recipients below: The Becky Most Scholarship Fund is named in honor of a beloved staff member who was killed in an automobile accident and was…
Over 20 moms from the Arizona homes attended the “Shower of Love,” hosted by the Knights of Columbus and their wives at St. Bernard of Clairvaux Catholic Church. What a shower it was!
Valentine’s day proves to be a difficult time for many of our moms who have broken relationships. But for the past several years, Morrison Foods and Dignity Health – Chandler Regional Medical Center have made an extra special effort to show these moms that they are treasured and worthy of great love, and what a…
Mary Peterson steps down from leadership at Maggie’s Place after helping pregnant women in our community for 13 years. She is featured as a Hero story on Channel 12 news. Watch the video below or click here to watch on azcentral.com
A special Maggie’s Place shout out goes to a remarkable high school student effort, the Padua Franciscan High School “Christmas for Others” student charitable campaign, which recently donated $500 in support of The Zechariah House! Padua Franciscan High School is a Catholic High School located in Parma, OH near The Zechariah House. Many thanks to the hard-working and…
The Zechariah House in Parma, Ohio was recently featured in an article by Jack Marschall, columnist for the Sun News. Read about the recognition he gave the important work of Maggie’s Place Ohio.
Just over a week ago, one of our moms went into labor. The staff members were in a meeting at the time, so we heard the news when a house coverage volunteer came to find us. Upon learning that she needed to go to the hospital, one of the other staff members “went with haste” to take…
According to a 2012 report by National Alliance to End Homelessness, on any given night, over 636,000 people in the United States are homeless. 37% of these individuals are members of homeless families. That’s over one third. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of…
I just want to say thank you for helping give my child a wonderful holiday. – Maggie’s Place alumnae mom in response to last year’s Christmas Thanks to the generosity of supporters like you, Maggie’s Place current and alumnae families will have gifts to open under their tree. This year almost 200 families were adopted in…
A few weeks ago I was talking with a mom when we were interrupted by a volunteer who had a question. I love the spontaneity that occurs in the day-to-day life of community – how you learn little gems about our moms when you least expect it. The volunteer, who serves regularly in our homes,…
Monika was my first contact mom at Maggie’s Place. I’ll be the first to admit that it took me a while to get the whole how-to-effectively-communicate-with-moms thing, and Monika bore the brunt of this learning. I remember one particular meeting when neither of us were communicating well – we were both frustrated and not able to…
What do I love about our moms? I feel as though I can go on for days about this. But I will just share a couple short stories about some amazingly loving moms here at The Zechariah House! One of our moms, Amanda, could tell that I was having a really stressful, terrible, horrible, no…
For a little over a month, many of the current and alumnae moms have been training for A Race for Maggie’s Place, held on October 7th. The program, called Fit Moms, was an opportunity for them condition with other moms while receiving free babysitting for their children. Sounds simple enough, right? Wrong. The sessions were…
Written by Liz, alumna MissionCorps member When I saw the Maggie’s Place Facebook post about the resumption of “Simple September” this year, I both smiled with joy and cringed a little with guilt. Having lived in the houses as a staff member myself, I know that Maggie’s Place already lives a solid commitment to simple living, reliance on…
Peace, Unity, Adaptability….and Simplicity?!? A common prayer in the Maggie’s Place community is “For Peace, Unity, and Adaptability in our homes and in our hearts.” It’s a prayer that goes to the heart of how to have a thriving community life. When we are in the midst of hard community change, we toss around jokes…
Mary Peterson, Founder and Executive Director of Maggie’s Place, along with Katie, an alumna mom, were featured on “The Bishop’s Hour”. They had a chance to talk about the ministry and updates on some upcoming events. Listen to Maggie’s Place at 23:50 minute mark.
Divine Providence did provide, Divine Providence does provide, Divine Providence will provide. Maggie’s Place MissionCorps members pray this together every morning and night, and He has not failed to answer us yet. I’m relatively new on board at Maggie’s Place, and this is my first September with this coupon-cutting crew. I’ve learned a lot from…
It’s nearly back to school shopping season, and I am remembering how it felt to go with my mom to get new clothes for school.We’d drive to a nearby mall and cruise the aisles of various stores, trying on shoes, assorted pants and jumpers.(My mom did not allow jeans until high school!)Some of you probably…
At Maggie’s Place our days are usually pretty packed, but every so often, we experience a day that is truly filled from dawn till dusk with unexpected “duties of the moment.” A couple weeks back, I experienced one such Thursday. 6:00 A.M. — I woke up to a phone call telling me that one…
I wear many hats at Maggie’s Place – one of them falling under the title of Volunteer Coordinator. It’s a humbling job, getting to interact with such a large group of dedicated individuals. One such group came in a few weeks ago to help weed and landscape the premises of the new Alumnae Mom Outreach…
It was a Tuesday morning, per our typical plan, all the staff were out of the house for our regular Tuesday meetings. On this particular Tuesday, our volunteer at the house, Esther, gave us a call about 10am. Esther alerted us that the police called and were asking us to help with a homeless mother…
Maggie’s Thrift was featured on raisingarizonakids.com. Below is an intro to the story. Local families, individuals, groups and businesses have been generous with contributions to Phoenix-based Maggie’s Place, a community of homes offering support and hospitality to pregnant women who are homeless or alone. Countless boxes and truckloads of diapers, clothing, toys, books, household items…
Maggie’s Place was featured on ABC 15 as a place to help pregnant women get back on their feet. Below is the intro to the story. Some Valley moms say they’ve received the best Mother’s Day gift of all. After finding themselves pregnant and alone, these women are getting help to bounce back on their…
1) Be Open Even though I was already super excited for my plans after graduation—I was off to study and teach English, a very special opportunity for me—I still decided to check out the long-term volunteer fair on campus. I even talked with the Maggie’s Place representatives and listed my contact information, all the while thinking, “What are you doing?!”…
A few days ago 2 women came to the Thrift Store to look at our clothing. Thrift had just started a $1 rack, so the women stopped there first to check out the sales. One woman asked if we had maternity clothes, while the other woman went inside to use the bathroom. The woman browsing…
The path that led me to Maggie’s Place was somewhat simple that involved a desire to spread my wings by leaving Indiana, learn more about pregnant and parenting women and do something more with my life. When I first came to Maggie’s Place on January 7th, 2002 the scene was a little different than it…
