Praying that our very 1st newsletter finds you in good health and enjoying your summer! We always welcome the end of summer as the great majority of our friends and volunteers begin returning to the desert. It’s great when they begin dropping by Hope Center to say hello after months!

On this day, July 27th, we are celebrating 9 years of having the doors open to serve mothers in crises at our 1st Mama’s House, established in 2013. We celebrated the founding of Mama’s House Ministries in March of this year and it is surreal to look back on this decade and remember … every staff member who poured their heart into the residents and every resident we have been blessed to serve - every baby born - every person who has volunteered - every person who has given financial support - every prayer that has been offered for provision, protection, guidance, and more. All of these people laid the foundational stones during these years and we will continue building on them as we add 6 houses to our collection of homes. We need you as much now as ever to continue making a wonderful difference in the lives of the precious ones we serve.

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Our beloved friend Barbara Seay Waddell passed away on June 25, 2022. From the moment she walked through our doors in 2013, she was a big part of this ministry in every way. She aptly named our volunteer group the Mama Mia’s, was a dedicated prayer warrior, amazing Board Director and a Founding Angel Sponsor of our yearly HEARTbeat of Love Luncheon. We miss her dearly and look forward to seeing her in Heaven one day. Please see Barbara's obituary.

We are excited to provide you with an update of the expansion project! As you may know, in February at our luncheon with guest speaker Mike Pompeo, we launched our capital campaign to build out the Anne Silverstein Campus for Mama’s House. We had raised more than half of what is needed by the end of February and the campaign continues toward a goal of $7 million. The project is moving forward in God’s perfect timing with VCA Engineering, Inc., Sladden Engineering, TKD Associates, Holt Architecture and Orr Builders all busy doing what they do. We are in the last stages (dare we say that?) of the approval process regarding materials to be used, etc. Apparently, the city verifies one last time that we really are building what we said we were building. All the while the engineers are surveying, measuring, etc. and others are busy with the interior design.

Even through summer we are showing off the existing home and plans, meeting with people and hoping to schedule small gatherings to share all of this with new people. Please, if you are willing to host 4 to 12 or more in your home beginning in October, please let us know. This concept has worked well! If you know people who you would be willing to introduce Mama’s House to, but may not want to host in your home - we have people who will allow gatherings in their home! We can also host gatherings in the new home on the Campus or in a restaurant, etc.

Whether you have invested in this God sized project, or you have not made a commitment, please pray about what you might be able to do to help us finish the project without having to borrow money. This property and existing large home on the one acre lot is debt free and for that we have our amazing donors to thank. Now we are praying for help to see it through to completion! Please call Jan at 844-232-8622, ext. 1001 with any questions or to get a date on the calendar!

"Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen." Ephesians3:20-21 (ESV)

I am excited to announce that we have elected four new Directors to our Board: John Anderson, Suzy Homme, Andy Ford, and Kathy Parker. They have all jumped in using their time and talents to support our mission. We have also completed our strategic plan for the next five years and the entire Board has committed to assisting in achieving our goals. We have much work to do this next year, and I feel with the strong Board of Directors we have established we can and will achieve our objectives. I am grateful for all of the Board's enthusiasm and energy and thank God for each one of them!

Mama's House was recently updated and refreshed with the generosity of the Anderson Children's Foundation. New paint throughout and new furniture that fully accommodates a full house. We are so appreciative of their support.

We currently have beds available. Our priority will always be pregnant women, however we are now extending our services to women with up to two children under the age of four.

After a break during the height of Covid-19, classes at Hope Center have resumed. Additionally, with the help of a RAP Foundation Mental Health Initiative grant, we are now able to bring in professionals to facilitate additional classes for our residents and some community partners from the valley and Blythe. Those classes are Self Defense, Mommy and Me, Relationship Building, Domestic Violence and Anger Management. Therapy, mentoring, art sessions, parenting classes and more are held at Hope Center weekly. Also, a new Bible Study, Daughters of the King, begins in August. We are making a difference in the lives of others. Enjoy this video about Mama's House.

A special thank you to all of our staff that have been working diligently to support the mission of Mama’s House. I’m pleased to welcome the following staff that have joined our team this year:

• Illona Anderson - Office Assistant

• Bryan Hendry - Accounting Manager

• Priscilla Estrada - Case Coordinator

• Catherine Warren - House Mother

• Colleen McClare - House Mother

• Michelle Bell - Executive Assistant

I’d also like to announce that Patty Spry has recently moved into the role of Human Resources & Payroll Manager. Mama’s House is currently hiring for a Development Director, House Manager, and an additional Case Coordinator and House Mothers. If you or someone you know is interested, please refer them to us.

We have been focused on making Mama’s House an even greater place to work. Just recently, we were able to offer a 401(k) option to our staff. In September, medical benefits will become available as well. This is a huge blessing that we have been working towards making a reality for some time, and are excited to do so for our employees.

TICKETS ON SALE NOW

On May 21, 2022, we held our First Annual Charity Golf Classic and "Rat Pack" Dinner Show. Thanks to our three event co-chairs, including Dr. Vincent Nola, Board Member of Mama’s House, Jeroen Sparreboom, and Yin Tchen, the events were wonderful. Yin Tchen stated “We want to thank everyone who came out to support this inaugural event. We are still overwhelmed with the outpouring of love and generosity for the Mama’s House mission. We are grateful to the staff at Indian Wells Country Club, as well as, all the volunteers who made this event successful.

Registration is now open for the Second Annual Charity Golf Classic and Dinner Show featuring a tribute to Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons. The events will be held earlier next year on March 24, 2023. Visit www.iwcharitygolf.com.

Pictured below (left to right) are Joyce Nola, Dr. Vincent Nola, Event Co-chair & Mama's House Board Member, Jeroen Sparreboom, Event Co-chair, and Yin Tchen, Event Co-chair. Photo Credit: Loretta Vlach.

I obtained my AA degree from College of the Desert in 2019 and am working towards my bachelor's degree in Psychology at Cal State University San Bernardino. I expect to graduate next Spring.

My son Adam is a happy 3 year old.

I was weighed down by anxiety, fear, depression, hurt, pain, anger, and bitterness. I am so grateful to say that today my thoughts and emotions no longer overwhelm me. Years of therapy, finishing a step-study, bible study and regularly attending Celebrate Recovery have made a great impact in my life. God was close to me in my brokenness. He healed me and set me free.

To me, it is not about reaching the goal. It is about endurance, resilience, and determination. If I stumble, I know that I can get back up, and giving up is no longer an option. Everything in the program has set me up for success.

We are so thankful to have our incredible volunteers. They are critical to the operation of Mama's House.

If you have a heart to help women find the courage to carry their child to term and get their lives on track for success, we will find a place for you to volunteer. We need mentors, babysitters, tutors, drivers, Earn & Learn facilitators, teachers and tutors of all kinds, and more!

If you are interested in volunteering with Mama's House, please email or call Illona at volunteer@themamashouse.org / 844-232-8622, extension 1002.

As we continue to share our newsletter each month, we would love your feedback on how we can improve it. Do you enjoy writing articles or have topic suggestions? We would appreciate it if you would provide your comments by completing this survey. If you are interested in contributing to the newsletter, please email or call Illona at volunteer@themamashouse.org / 844-232-8622, extension 1002.

Our website is a work in progress and soon you will see more updates, stories, pictures and more!

MISSION STATEMENT:

The mission of Mama’s House Ministries is to provide a safe home for women in crises - with special emphasis always on those facing unplanned pregnancies or are otherwise at risk – women with children and/or victims of abuse - who are vulnerable with no place to go or means of support. At Mama’s House their physical, emotional, spiritual, educational, and vocational needs are addressed. With nurturing support, these mothers are being equipped with necessary life skills for stability, recovery and self-sufficiency. Upon completing the unique, faith-based program at Mama’s House, these women are prepared for brighter futures with opportunities to reach their full potential as productive members of their communities.

A GLIMPSE OF WHERE WE ARE GOING - OUR VISION STATEMENT:

The Anne Silverstein Campus for Mama’s House is completed, fully funded, staffed and operational. It is widely recognized and respected as a model for supporting mothers and women in crises. Mama’s House Ministries has a strong and committed staff, Board of Directors, volunteers and donor base. There is a sustainable revenue base to ensure ongoing stability. We are well positioned to grow our resident population and further expand to support more women with special emphasis always on mothers and babies in need of our programs and services.