August 2023 Update
Hello dear supporters of Mary's Haven,
What a whirl-wind summer we have had. Some moms coming in, some not staying, furnishing the second apartment, and our most recent client having her baby girl on August 7th.
Also, Baby A turned 1 on August 5th. He didn't know what to think about digging into the smash birthday cake and was very cautious about taking a bite. He is really an observant little one.
Mary's Haven is growing and with that we are realizing some very important needs, mostly in the way of volunteers. None of our clients at this time have a car, so extra help with transportation could use more support. The larger the transportation pool can be, the less pressure on the few drivers we have. We are so grateful for the efforts of this existing group of drivers. The city bus system runs on an hourly schedule so it can't support both dropping off a baby at daycare and getting to a full time job in another area of the city. Getting their licenses renewed and finding a donated vehicle is a top priority for our clients. They have very limited prospects without a car since the buses are too infrequent and Lyft is too expensive.
We also would be most grateful for a mentor to help our newest client. Another problem is that a sick child can cost these ladies to lose a job since they have no family support. If a few generous ladies could join the "Saving Nannies" program it would be a great help. This group of women would be available to watch a sick child of our moms when they are working and cannot stay home for a few days as the child recovers. You may be surprised to realize how many single mothers lose their jobs and income because they miss too many days of work. Some of our moms have no relatives or close friends in the area to ask for this kind of assistance.
Our clients continue to make goals, achieving one step at a time. All have different starting points and pathways, but taking one step at a time and being hopeful and patient, we know they will improve their situations with hope in their future; one completed her GED and is taking a phlebotomy course; another is going for the CNA qualification; and the third Mom worked almost up to her C section day. She hopes to resume working in 6-8 weeks.
As always, please keep us in your prayers. Thank you for your continued financial support as well.
When you help Mary's Haven it calls to mind the Good Samaritan because these Moms have been battered and bruised and nearly left abandoned.
If you could see baby A smiling and clapping and crawling all over it would melt your heart — see the short sample below. You are not just helping Moms but giving innocent children a chance to escape the snares that shackled their mothers.
We thank you so much,
Peace in Christ,
Dorothy Marshall
Executive Director
