They are usually at the lowest point in their lives, pregnant and homeless, but the Bethlehem House offers them a way out if they work for it.
Several graduates celebrated their success Saturday and offered encouragement to others now facing the same challenges.
The Bethlehem House has been open since 2005 and helps young women who have no place to go. They get the help and counseling they need and leave the program better equipped to go out into the world.
Noa is tearing up the back yard at the Bethlehem House barbecue and mom Jolie is happy to let him go. Although a year old, Noa has only lived with his mother for about three months.
Jolie Harding says, “Yeah, it was really exciting for me. He wasn’t supposed to be home until after his first birthday so it was really exciting and it was a big surprise.”
Jolie worked hard and had the support of the Bethlehem House and was able to turn her life around and obtain the reunion with her son.
At Saturday’s reunion barbecue, Jolie celebrated the victory with women who know the challenges she faced. “It’s nice to see people you haven’t seen and see all the girls who want to come and change their lives for themselves and their babies.”
The women have a strong bond. Faced with incredible odds, they overcame adversity to make better lives for their children.
Since it opened in 2005, Bethlehem House has helped nearly 300 women who were homeless and pregnant. There is currently a waiting list to get into the program.
