heritage home...a safe haven for pregnant women

http://cityteam.org/heritagehome/

Heritage home, run by city team ministries is a safe haven for pregnant women. Its located in downtown san jose, ca. Its not a shelter. Its a gorgeous 2 story 1850s Victorian house; living room, mini laundry facility, dinning room, 7 bedrooms (2 women to each room), beautiful kitchen, huge basement, and 4 bathrooms.

These women who come to heritage home are broken, battered, alone, terrified....Im so lucky and many other mommies like me to a found this place! I was middle class, naive and totally sheltered, this was an eye opening experience for me. Some of these women come to this place with only the clothes on their back, family kicked them out, hiding from an abusive bf or dh like i had to do.

* EVERYTHING IS DONATED! Through very generous donations the women dont have to worry about rent and other bills that come along w/ it. Theres maternity clothes, the shelves, fridges were always stacked with food.     

Heritage home provides many programs; counseling, ged programs, transportation. Living at heritage home i learned about the programs out their; wic, medical, cash aid, foodstamps, calworks.  

Adoption is also an option, which heritage home readily has available through city team ministries, but they never force it on you. My roommate at heritage home gave her baby girl up to a wonderful christian couple, it was an open adoption. Shes involved in the girls life, to a pt. She was given $10,000.

When i was there after u gave birth, were recovering in the hospital, they'd pack ur shit up for you. Goodbye, good luck, adios! Right after i left their was a HUGE change. After the baby was born you and the baby could stay for another 6 mos. After that you colud be on your way, family, SO or their was the house of grace http://cityteam.org/sanjose/houseofgrace/  where addicted, abused or homeless women can rebuild their lives, without being separated from their children. 14 month program. Women are able to complete GED. Participate in vocational and life skills classes and counseling (individual, family, and group counseling), and attend 12-step meetings. Women are taught how to join the mainstream of community life so that they can become productive citizens, supporting themselves, their families and their community.

Video of heritage home:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NRnA3LN7QC4 

After watching that video, omg, the tears are just streaming from my eyes! I used to live there, I used to be apart of that! Me and this other women were in charge of making dinners in that kitchen cause the other women didnt know how to cook, ate in that dining room, slept in those beds.

Abortion is a terrible thing for anyone to have to deal with, but its a choice that women have a right to make. What about the many pregnant/scared teens who dont know about heritage home? I challenge you reading this, giving you pro-lifers a chance to walk your talk (stop condemning women wanting to get abortions and help them, tell them what i told u, let them know that their are other options out their, a way for them to keep the baby) or will you do nothing? All I ask is that you pass this message on, you never know whose life you may change until u do. Maybe some of you may take it further as i have....donate! I gave back to them all i could, my maternity clothes, my sons baby clothes, extra diapers bottles etc. You cant imagine! The need is so huge, diapers, tooth paste, laundry detergent, soap, etc just the little things we take for granted!   

Ladies if you are pregnant have no where to go, scared, considering abortion please do NOT  hesitate to contact me! Or if u know of anyone in that situation, pls pass this info on or have them contact me. Im so sorry I havent posted this info sooner. Ive been thru it all! I had an abortion, im a rape survivor, single parent whose made it through college, i dont judge and have a very open mind. Im here to help! Pls bump ladies so as many mommies can see this as possible, thanks.

kahala95123@aol.com , kahala808_912@yahoo.com , or feel free to contact me on cm

Nicole