Whether you’re a first time parent or already have children, a new baby is a major change. That upheaval can seem insurmountable for young mothers dealing with housing insecurity, who must tackle the challenges of parenting without medical, financial and emotional support. The Haven of Grace is dedicated to helping young pregnant women who are facing homelessness find security and independence. Founded by St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Ladue, the nonprofit offers shelter and other critical services to new families so they can enjoy promising futures.
“The Haven of Grace is much more than a homeless shelter,” president and CEO Patricia Bosman explains. “Our cultural- and trauma-informed approach to programming empowers women by directly addressing the social determinants of health and the root causes of homelessness.” The nonprofit offers a variety of programs to help young families, including supporting the physical and mental health of moms-to-be to ensure healthy pregnancies and deliveries. Its maternity shelter provides services for one year to women with children under the age of five, and transitional housing offers support for two additional years.
By helping unhoused pregnant people, The Haven of Grace aims to disrupt the cycle of generational poverty so that their children can look forward to a brighter future. The population the nonprofit serves is 180% below the poverty line, and the majority of the mothers were born into poverty themselves. The nonprofit’s aftercare initiative, Project Inspire, offers targeted programming to support the entire family. For mothers, this includes career readiness, financial literacy, homeownership preparation and more. The nonprofit works with community partners like Rung for Women and is home to a chapter of Divine Daughters, an organization designed to empower women. “This is one of the most important ways we support mothers in uncovering their potential,” Bosman says.
The Haven of Grace also has partnered with the Green Beret Youth Initiative to bring programming to its campus. The initiative connects youth between the ages of 8 and 14 with current and retired Green Berets to build reliance and leadership skills. For children 4 to 8, the STEAM Dream program offers opportunities to explore science, technology, engineering, math and art. For babies and younger children, The Haven of Grace is dedicated to helping build early literacy. “We know children raised in a shelter environment are often behind in school,” Bosman notes. “Our goal is to help facilitate pathways for them to overcome these barriers. All things begin with a strong educational foundation.”
To make its programs possible, The Haven of Grace relies on grants and donations. The nonprofit’s largest annual fundraiser is A MOMentous Luncheon. This year’s event is May 6 at the Missouri Athletic Club, and it will be a celebration of motherhood. “Without the support of the community, we could not provide any of our services,” Bosman says. “Over the years, participation in the luncheon continues to grow, and the dedication we’ve seen is so important for The Haven of Grace. Together, we can work to ensure all babies born into this world are healthy and have a pathway to a good life.”
The Haven of Grace provides homeless expectant mothers a place to live, educational programs and long-term support to break the chain of generational poverty. Its A MOMentous Luncheon is May 6 at the Missouri Athletic Club – Downtown. Pictured on the cover: President and CEO Patricia R. Bosman and board member William C. Harris with Haven of Grace family members. For more information, call 314.621.6507 or visit havenofgracestl.org.
Cover design by Julie Streiler
Cover photo by Tim Parker Photography
Pictured at the top: President and CEO Patricia Bosman
Photo: Tim Parker Photography
