Empowering Mothers in Crisis: Annunciation Maternity Home Plans Expansion Projects

When Grace Davis first came to Annunciation Maternity Home, she was 17 years old and 12 weeks pregnant. Not only did AMH help her achieve her goals of having a healthy baby and finishing high school, it also gave her the opportunity to earn a certificate in culinary arts from Austin Community College.

Grace is grateful for the valuable life skills she learned at AMH, including budgeting, healthy parenting, cooking, sewing, and self-care. Today, she serves as a life skills teacher at the maternity home, giving other young women the tools they need to thrive beyond the walls of AMH. “I felt I had a calling to help girls in the same way AMH helped me. AMH made me into the woman and mom I am today, and I hope I can be a mentor and a guide to the girls in our care.”

Grace’s experience is just one of the success stories Jennifer Morgan has heard during her time as director of donor interest at the maternity home. Thanks to several expansion projects in the works, she is excited to see the growing number of moms who will find refuge and support at AMH.

Transforming Lives

Annunciation Maternity Home was founded in 2001 in north Georgetown after the previous executive director realized many women facing crisis pregnancies were searching for a home rather than a shelter or pregnancy resource center. The only nationally accredited and state licensed maternity home in Texas, AMH serves young women 12 to 40 years old and provides counseling, life skills classes, assistance with education and job placement, and transportation to jobs and medical appointments.

Although AMH was founded primarily to serve Central Texas, a significant number of residents have come from Houston, Dallas, Temple/Belton, and even out of state. Many of them, Jennifer says, are homeless or trying to escape a domestic violence situation. “I think, with the growing homeless population in Central Texas, we can help avert mothers and children being part of that population,” she says, adding “a lot of girls just don’t have anyone, and we’re an all-women staff, so they have many role models to look up to here.”

Growth Vision

This spring, AMH will break ground on a housing project that will expand the organization’s capacity to serve from 12 to 20 adult moms. AMH currently has the capacity to serve eight teen moms. The new, fully staffed Rita Village will feature amenities like a communal kitchen and living space as well as a community center with exercise and computer rooms. The second phase of the project will expand the Infant Development Center with the goal of providing childcare for more moms while they attend parenting classes.

For those interested in supporting AMH in its mission of serving mothers experiencing crisis pregnancies, the organization welcomes monetary donations, sponsorships for its annual banquet and golf tournament, as well as volunteer mentors, volunteer groups, and diaper and canned food drives.

Honor the incredible journey of motherhood while having a positive impact on residents. Sponsor or purchase tickets to the CELEBRATION OF MOTHERS • May 7, 2024 • Sheraton Austin Georgetown Hotel & Conference Center