The Haven at Hebron, a 7,000-square-foot maternity home for homeless pregnant minors, is complete and will be able to receive residents as soon as licensing is finalized. Danette Fleming, who sits on the board of directors and is responsible for donor development, says that could take up to 90 days, and that she hopes to have residents in the home by the end of the year.
The Haven at Hebron in Georgia is a home for single, pregnant women 21 and under who need residential care throughout pregnancy, birth, and beyond. Under Georgia law, pregnant women under age 21 are considered minors.
Once fully operational, up to eight young ladies will live at the home along with their babies after they give birth. A houseparent couple will also reside at the home in a separate, private suite, and be on duty six days, with three days off. There is also a bedroom for relief houseparents to stay when the houseparents are off.
“This is currently only the second maternity home for minors in Georgia,” Fleming explains, “and the first to open under the newest Georgia guidelines by the state legislature.”
There is an application process for residents, who may be referred by school counselors, pregnancy resource centers, and such. Once accepted, they can stay at the home for up to 12 weeks after giving birth. There is already a waiting list for acceptance, says Fleming.
Future plans
Plans are in place to build two more homes on the property, which was donated by Hebron Baptist Church. The first of these will be a “second-chance home,” where women will be able to stay for up to two years after giving birth.
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EDITOR’S NOTE — This story was written by Henry Durand and originally published by the Christian Index.
