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E-mail This Story“I’d like someone to adopt me and my baby.” It’s not the typical answer for a teenage girl questioned about the one thing she most desires for Christmas. At 14, unwed and only weeks from giving birth to a baby boy, this young girl is no ordinary teen. She’s a child soon to be raising a child of her own…and among the lucky.
In a quiet, older neighborhood on the east side of Lewisville sits a nondescript, modest, one-story, older residence. To most it’s just a house among many. However, for a fortunate few it’s a refuge from the hard, cold world and inviting accommodations among a mountain of heart-shattering rejection, even family eviction. This little, white-painted, framed building is a rental house turned maternity home. And like the Christmas story it provides shelter for expectant mothers when there’s no room to be found.
Twin beds situated in three cramped bedrooms provide rest for weary expectant mothers forced out on their own. The kitchen’s tiny yet it handles meals for about-to-be-mothers eating for two. Inside the small refrigerator shelves are over-stacked, not from an abundance of food but lack of cubic feet. The bathrooms aren’t space enough for even a couple yet alone more. But never a complaint is heard. Love, hope and faith make up for whatever’s lacking at this abode known as Jireh House. And it’s the love that makes this house a real home, if even for a short while.
Desperate, alone, with nowhere to turn current residents consider the maternity home a true answer to prayer.
“I was evicted and had no other place to go. I don’t know where I would’ve gone. Jireh House is a real blessing,” said 21-year-old Stacey who’s expecting a baby boy in January.
A licensed counselor and social worker Jireh House Executive Director Cheryl Vanderwel has a heart for the plight of these women, demonstrated daily in her commitment to the mental, emotional and physical health and wellbeing of both mother and child. For her, it’s a mission — and personal. In 1969, she too found herself single and pregnant. Her baby, born two months early, came on Christmas Day.
“I’ve been there. I know how difficult it is,” she said. “The prevailing attitude is pull yourself up by the boot strap, but the problem is these girls don’t have boots much less straps.”
Though declining, Texas still ranks among the highest in the nation in teen birth rate for ages 15-17.
According to Texas Department of State Health Services every 10 minutes a Texas teen gives birth. Every 48 minutes a teen has an abortion.
Open only since April, the maternity home has already provided shelter for 15 expectant mothers ranging in age from 14 to 39, who had no place else to turn. Without this facility many would be forced into shelters where, according to Vanderwel, rape, beatings, robbery and uncaring conditions are not unusual.
“I’ve seen sun-blistered arms on a pregnant girl forced out of the shelter in sweltering summer 100-degree heat because they’re not allowed inside during the day,” she said with tears rolling down her cheeks.
Jireh House is the only maternity home in south Denton County
“We average two calls per day from women who are pregnant and have no where to go,” Vanderwel said. “Unfortunately, the need is huge and housing is lacking. There are so few maternity homes in Texas.”
With programs designed to teach accountability, parenting and life skills and providing free counseling, this maternity home offers much more than room and board to their residents.
“Many of our girls never had a healthy childhood,” Vanderwel said. “Through teaching, training and counseling we try to provide a model of healthy family dynamics so they are better equipped to have a healthy relationship with their child.”
After giving birth, current Jireh House resident Nicea, who is an artist, plans on returning to school — the ninth grade — while also raising her baby. Again, the young mother’s choices, determine where she’ll land after giving birth. If a mother decides to place her baby for adoption, she can return to Jireh House for an additional six weeks. However, if the mother decides to parent, she can not return to the maternity home after giving birth.
“It breaks my heart but we are limited here,” Vanderwel said. “We don’t have the facilities, space for nurseries and aren’t equipped to care for mothers and their newborns. Hopefully, someday…soon. Unfortunately though, not soon enough.”
Long term, plans include purchasing land, construction of a new building with a wing available for parents — both mother and father — and their newborns to live for up to one year.
Kristy placed her son for adoption several months ago.
“I needed to grow, a lot. Adoption was the best way to go,” she said.
An exception to the rule, Kristy is a permanent resident at the home, staying on as an assistant to the house parents.
Living on site, the house parents are at the call of the expectant mothers around the clock, attending to their every need. Though they’ve had no time off since the doors opened, the husband-wife house parent team continues on, giving their all — even more — content witnessing events and playing a role in a much bigger picture.
“Time and time again we watch girls come through not knowing what they’ll do or where they’ll go once they leave, but God opens doors for them,” the house mother said. “It shows God’s faithfulness, how He moves in our lives and hearts to provide.”
This Christmas Jireh House staff is hoping for some providing of a different type, specifically in the form of volunteers needed to sit with the young women, run errands, teach arts, crafts, cooking, vocational and educational classes, and making small home repairs.
“Our wheel barrows have been flat for months now because we just don’t have spare time to take care of that stuff with all else going on,” explains the house mother.
However, topping their Christmas wish list this year is a family-friendly frig big enough for a full house, with an icemaker so the house parents can quit using frozen water and an ice pick.
“Well, what can I say? We’re funded by donations, and bagged ice costs too much,” the house mother blushingly explains in answer to the girls spilling stories of her extreme cost-saving efforts.
Jireh House is a nonprofit agency, depending solely on donations to provide room and board for expectant mothers, pay bills and keep the doors open. The average cost for each resident is $750.
“We ask the family for reimbursement but it rarely happens,” Vanderwel said.
Much of the furniture came from a model home generously donated. Mattresses and other household items were purchased by Flower Mound churches and other local organizations. Colorful, cheerful quilts, covering each of the girls’ twin beds, are stitched with love by the hands of Land o’ Lakes local quilting guild members.
“They’re gifts and the girls take them when they leave, wanting to pass them down to their children someday,” the house mother said.
The expectant mothers walking through the door of the maternity home had options. Many were pressured by the father, families and friends.
“My friends really wanted me to have an abortion,” Stacey admits. “But I never gave that a thought because I knew it would be wrong.”
“Instead these courageous girls are facing insurmountable odds and giving the most precious gift — the gift of life,” Vanderwel said.
Maybe, just maybe their courage is what prompts the dedicated staff to give unselfishly of their time, attention and heart by helping just a few of the girls and young women facing a crisis pregnancy.
To learn more about Jireh House, their long-term expansion plans, to volunteer or donate 214-789-7053 or 972-436-2273 Ext.13.
