Lending a helping hand to Haven of Grace

Making a difference in the lives of women
 

^{Spire employees from St. Louis at Haven of Grace}

We all rely on the security and safety of stable housing, but when you’re expecting a child, that need becomes even greater. 

According to Housing Matters, pregnant women who are unhoused are twice as likely to have complications with their pregnancies, are more likely to develop anxiety and depression, and are less likely to receive medical care throughout their pregnancies than women who have stable housing. 

That’s where The Haven of Grace, which includes a shelter for pregnant women in need and those in need of transitional housing and an aftercare program, comes in.

The Haven of Grace is more than a shelter. It sets mothers and their babies up for success in the years to come. Moms who enter its program have access to services for up to 13 years through their three core programs: 

• The Haven, a maternity shelter 
• The Quad, transitional housing on the same grounds as the maternity shelter
• The Aftercare program, which provides services in the following 10 years to maintain individual goals and secure, stable housing 

The organization says mothers who are single and without shelter face tough odds: 42% of children who are born into poverty are still in poverty a generation later. Haven’s goal is to break that cycle.

Spire volunteers in St. Louis used their Day for Good making improvements to the shelter, like painting the outdoor play area and making upgrades to the playground for children to enjoy. 

Staff at The Haven of Grace expressed gratitude for Spire's help, stating that the playground repair work alone would've been costly. 

To learn more about The Haven of Grace, please visit their website.