What happens at The Elizabeth House?
As a supporter of Care Net, you may have heard about our maternity home, The Elizabeth House, and know we provide a safe place for pregnant and parenting moms and their babies to live. But housing is only part of the story!
Since opening in 2003, over 330 women and children have called The Elizabeth House home. Located on the east side of Madison, our program helps struggling women who face an unexpected pregnancy gain the tools, resources, and support they need to change the direction of their lives and find the purpose-filled journey God has planned for each one of them.
Here are some answers to frequently asked questions about the program:
How many women live in the home?
Our current facility can accommodate eight or nine moms, depending on how many children also live in the house. We hope to double this capacity with a second location in the future.
What circumstances bring women to The Elizabeth House?
The women we serve are navigating an unexpected pregnancy. They are typically estranged from the father of their baby and have little or no family support. Sometimes, that’s a location issue – their family doesn’t live nearby. Often, some level of family dysfunction prevents healthy family connections.
Some residents of The Elizabeth House have already given birth. We find that friends and family are willing to allow a pregnant woman to sleep on their couch, but when a baby comes, it can be more difficult to find accommodations. It’s not uncommon for a mom to tell us she is sleeping in a car with her newborn baby.
Due to the severe shortage of affordable housing in our area, these women cannot find an apartment they can afford. They may not even have funds to cover a security deposit. They often have low credit scores, are underemployed, and can’t cover basic living expenses. The women who turn to us are at high risk for abortion. They often tell us they had an abortion in the past because they didn’t know The Elizabeth House existed and thought they had no other options.
What does it cost to live there?
The women in our program do not pay to live with us. Their room and board and essential needs are covered, thanks to our generous supporters. Here, women can take a breath, recharge, and focus on building a foundation that will support their new family.
In exchange, the women do the hard work of examining their lives and the patterns they have relied on in the past, learn new skills, make new connections, and plan for the future.
How long can they stay?
We don’t have a hard and fast length of stay. Each woman has unique circumstances, and we work hard to tailor the program to her needs. Roughly half of the women accomplish their goals in about six months. The other half require an extended stay – often up to two years. Our goal is that when a woman leaves us, she never faces homelessness again.
Do the women have to be a Christian?
No. We accept women of any faith and those with no faith. We model Christ and love them as they are, remembering Christ died for us while we were yet sinners. All our residents are required to attend Christian devotions because it is the most important resource we have to share with them. We plant seeds and God causes the growth, while we nourish and rejoice!
What does a day in the life of a resident look like?
It starts with a wake-up call. Our staff ensures everyone is awake and ready to start the day with a healthy breakfast. Then, all residents who don’t have to leave for a job or school attend a daily Christian devotion. During that time, we share how God wants to help us live an abundant life, He’s always available to talk to, and He provides us with the wisdom we need to thrive.
During the day, moms gain the skills to prepare for a better life for themselves and their child. That might mean completing their high school diploma, working, or looking for a job. When they’re between jobs, our residents are required to volunteer to learn skills and make connections that could lead to employment.
In the evening, we have family dinners together. The moms cook in pairs and rotate. Keeping the house clean is the responsibility of those who live there, and each mom has daily and weekly chores.
Some evenings are class nights. We have group lessons covering finances, healthy relationships, help overcoming difficult childhoods, pregnancy and parenting classes, and more.
We also have fun together! On weekends, we have art activities and game and movie nights. We like to plan special outings so moms and their children can experience new things and create positive memories. Some local church members pick up residents and bring them to church when requested.
Our night staff are instrumental in providing mentorship for our moms. Late night heart-to-heart chats are common. These beautiful opportunities for support, bonding, and spiritual encouragement are why we employ only those who share the Christian faith and demonstrate a life committed to being a disciple of Christ.
Do you provide transportation?
Yes, we have a vehicle that provides transportation to essential program activities when needed.
Do you provide daycare?
We do not provide daycare for our working moms, but help them secure reliable, quality care outside our facility. Volunteers will watch a baby while a mom attends an interview or classes.
Do you need my help?
Yes! If you feel called to be in relational ministry, we need you! We rely on volunteers for a variety of roles. We are always looking for people to work our overnight and weekend relief shifts. Contact us for more information. Call 608-259-1606 and ask for Melissa or email her at melissabp@carenetdane.org
Expansion Plans
Due to the overwhelming demand for services in our maternity home, we are working toward opening a second home to meet the needs of women in our community. Read more about our progress and how you can get involved.