St. Mary's Home is an Ottawa-based social service agency that provides a full range of programs and services for young pregnant women, young moms and dads, and their infants and young children. We support young women to have a healthy pregnancy and birth, and help young parents gain the knowledge and skills to raise healthy and thriving children.

 

At St. Mary's Home, we believe that:

·         Pregnancy and early parenting are times of opportunity for personal growth

·         Young parents are capable of building strong, nurturing and healthy families

·         Children have rights as individuals

We support young people and their children through the St. Mary's Home Residential Program and through the Young Parent Outreach Centre.  The St. Mary's Home Residential Program is the only licensed residence in Eastern Ontario for young pregnant women,     A specialized Emergency Shelter with the City of Ottawa for pregnant / parenting young moms and their newborn infants, St. Mary’s Home is the only program of its kind in Ontario that provides services in both English and French. The young women (aged 13-24) who stay with us are usually from the Ottawa area and other parts of Eastern Ontario but we also have young moms-to-be from other parts of the province.   Pregnant young women of all cultures and religions are welcome. Up to 15 young women and up to 7 newborn infants can live in the residence at one time and receive counseling support and Programs which are geared to the needs pregnant adolescents and young families who are considered "high risk". While pregnancy is the presenting concern that motivates the young woman to seek assistance, other serious problems often compound their physical and medical needs, including: mental health difficulties, sexual or physical abuse, addictions, developmental delay, history or family dysfunction related to violence. Residential support continues from pregnancy until the infant is 4-6 months of age. Community support and follow-up programs are provided to teen-parented families.

Two blocks away, the St. Mary’s Home Young Parent Outreach Centre is a dynamic resource centre, providing bilingual, multicultural, youth-friendly services to young pregnant women, young moms and dads, and their children.  Serving more than 450 youth and 160 children in 2008, the Outreach Centre is a ‘one-stop multi-service centre’ which brings together in one location a range of specialized services and programs specifically designed to respond to the needs of these youth and their families.  It’s one place where you can go to get support and guidance from the time you learn you are pregnant, all the way through until your child reaches the age of 4.   

 

At the Centre, you can:

• Learn how to have a healthy pregnancy
• See a doctor
• Join a support group
• Learn how to care for your growing child and how to be the best parent you can be
• Learn to support your child in developing healthy attachment
• Re-engage with School
• Earn high school credits and possibly graduate from High School

• Get advice on how to manage your money
• Gain valuable life skills
• Build lifelong friendships
• Have access to food
• Get assistance in finding housing

Specialized services on site are offered by many community partners, including:

• Brighter Futures for Children of Young Single Parents (CAPC)
• Canada Prenatal Nutrition Program:   BUNS IN THE OVEN
• Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario:  Adolescent Clinic
• Healthy Babies / Healthy Children
• Ontario Works / LEAP
• Ottawa Catholic School Board:  Immaculata High School Achievement Centre
• Ottawa Food Bank
• Ottawa Public Health:  Prenatal Classes; Well Baby Drop In Clinics
• Ottawa Radha Yoga Centre
• Parent Resource Centre
• Rideauwood Addiction and Family Services
• Sexual Assault Support Centre of Ottawa
• The Good Food Box
• The Ottawa Hospital:   Teen Obstetrics Clinic, Contraception Clinic

Locally, St. Mary’s Home is a member of:

• Young Parent Support Network of Ottawa
• Perinatal Partnership of Eastern and Southeastern Ontario
• Child and Youth Health Network of Eastern Ontario
• The Ottawa Network for Children / Success By Six
• The Child and Youth Mental Health Network of Ottawa