Our participants are dealing with single parenthood (typically), poverty, unstable housing, and possibly, mental health issues, including high levels of stress, situational depression, and anxiety. Many of our Response-Ability Pregnant & Parenting Program residents come to us from unstable, unsafe environments, which may include:

1. domestic violence with partner or teen dating
2. violence/abusive relationships
3. overcrowded living conditions (for example: a two bedroom apartment with 12 residents)
4. gang violence
5. substance abuse
6. physical/sexual abuse
7. unsanitary conditions
8. having “couch-surfed” their limits
9. deceased or incarcerated parents
10. adoptive mother/foster parents no longer want them
11. history of family homelessness

Often our residents still maintain a connection with some kind of family member – whether a grandmother, aunt, cousin, sibling or parent – even if its strained. Often our pregnant and parenting residents are not alone in the world, but the family they do have, don’t have a place where they can stay or depend on.