McGivney Centers of Hope and Healing

"I am the Director of Client Services for Waterleaf Women's Center in Aurora, Illinois. Daily, we come in contact with many women who are in need of housing. Besides general financial assistance, housing needs are the biggest hurdle. Unfortunately, in the local region, there are few housing options. Women with multiple children have very limited options, if any.

Oftentimes these clients remain in abusive or dangerous living conditions because they have nowhere to bring their family. Many maternity home provide long-term opportunies for younger women who are pregnant or have only one child. Many of our clients in need of housing, however, are older with more than one child. Transitional housing or shelters are often scary and intimidating for single women with their children.

Providing a long-term, positive housing alternative for women in crisis is certainly an adminirable mission. Thank you for your determination and commitment to this endeavor. Please contact me if you have more questions regarding our clientele and thier needs."

"I enjoyed talking to you last week about the Knights of Columbus undertaking the establishment of the Centers of Hope and Healing for pregnant women.

Per our conversation, I expressed the need of adequate resources for our young mothers in need. I represent Woman's Choice Services, which as four locations in the Joliet Diocese, where there is a great demand for assistance to consolidate in the areas of shelter, job training, counseling, parenting classes, and nuturing our faith.

We currently have over sixteen women who are either homeless or living in conditions that are not suitable for raising a baby.We are looking for shelters in the area that would help empower these women to change their lives. We are hoping and praying that you are successful in gaining the needed funds to accomplishment this much-needed center.

I look forward to the future with the hopes of our organizations working together to truly change these women's lives."