Executive Director Christie Aaronson founded the organization in 2001 after working for a crisis pregnancy hotline where she realized there were women who needed help beyond their pregnancies.
The home works with women ages 12-30 who are experiencing crisis pregnancies, including issues such as bouts of homelessness, excessive debt or abuse, AMH Development Director Seth Galemore said.
To help the mothers overcome adversity and become successful members of the community, the organization offers housing, education, day care, transportation to doctor appointments, life-skills courses and counseling services. AMH helps women throughout pregnancy and up to two years after giving birth, Galemore said.
“I think the most important thing for us is that we do provide that care up to two years after giving birth,” Galemore said. “We’re not just helping women through pregnancy, but we’re helping them to get back on their feet and help them become successful parents.”
The women are housed on the property and are required either to go to school full-time, work full-time or do a combination of the two that is equivalent full-time, Galemore said. The organization has an accredited charter school on-site to help moms earn credits toward a diploma or achieve their General Educational Development certificate, or GED, he said.
Annunciation can house up to 27 women, including 16 teen moms and eight adult moms who live in dorm-style quarters, and three moms in independent living spaces, Galemore said.
“The biggest thing we hope that [the mothers] take away is that however hard things feel now, it does get easier, and there are people out there who are willing to help,” Galemore said. “There’s hope for the future.”
Annunciation Maternity Home is located at 3610 Shell Road, Georgetown. 512-864-7755. https://www.thematernityhome.org/
