Sweet Summertime....from Esther's Place of Grace

Esther's Place of Grace
 Newsletter
Summer 2023 

Shared from the Director's Heart
 
The challenges and blessings of serving our community of single, pregnant women in crisis pregnancies can become overwhelming without a time to come aside, refresh and reignite those who serve so faithfully. In the Spring, we arranged a weekend retreat at Buckeye Lake for board members and staff to refresh and connect on levels to make our team more cohesive. We completed training on Trauma-informed Care and how we can identify it's effects on our residents. All of our residents have experienced ACEs - Adverse Childhood Experiences of abuse, neglect and household dysfunction that lead to behaviors that have a negative effect on physical and mental health outcomes. 
Take the quiz at the link below to learn more. 
We were challenged by Luke 14 and what it means to Count the Cost to follow Jesus and encouraged by the Parable of the Sower in Matthew 14, reminding us that our efforts are not in vain and everything we do to share and show God's love is a seed planted in the hearts and lives of our residents. We simply do not know how God can use us as we minister to the most vulnerable women and children we serve. Take heart!

Take The ACE Quiz - And Learn What It Does And Doesn't MeanFirst developed in the 1990s, the 10 questions of the Adverse Childhood Experiences test are designed to take a rough measure of a difficult childhood. Finding out your score is easy. Now what?

Our church partners are precious and provide much needed support for projects in the home that we would not otherwise be able to carry out.  Living Hope Church of Pataskala is one of our early and crucial sponsors of Esther's Place.  This year, we were able to add many items to the home due to their assistance.  Have a look at some changes we've made as a result of their support!

We added a heavy room divider panel to turn an underused area in Esther's home to an additional bedroom!

Fresh new mattresses, bedding and bedspreads were purchased with the gift from Living Hope Church Pataskala.

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Living Hope Church Pataskala 
for their overwhelming generosity, which has been instrumental 
in propelling us forward and achieving so much!

Open Position to Live & Serve
 
We are seeking & praying for a live-in, overnight, Resident Assistant who is a Christian lady (18 years +) to provide overnight security and supervision in the home between 7pm-7am. You will be compensated with free rent and utilities. You will have private bedroom & bathroom and shared kitchen & living room space. This is a perfect arrangement for a college student or single lady in need of safe housing. 
Please contact Mary Dow for details at 614-226-0864. 
 
This is a position is a high-priority to have filled in the ministry as many volunteers have slept at the house overnight since the home opened.  It was demanding to fill this full-time position on a consistent basis each night.  To all of those who served by staying at the house overnight since Esther's Place opened,
 thank you so much for your time and sacrifice!

Days in the Life at Esther's Place
 
Esther's Place is a safe refuge and dignified home for mom's-to-be that have come from difficult circumstances, but did you know that once a woman comes to live with us, housing is only part of what we offer?   Helping an expecting mom address important life priorities in order to insure that she and her baby will be as healthy and successful as they possibly can be is paramount to our program.   We cheer them on and work with them on accomplishing goals that will help to set them up for success when they are on their own.   This includes trying to involve her in a permanent & ongoing community of people who want to continue to support her and her family in the long-term.  
 
Here are some just a few examples of the support activities we have provided to recent residents during their stay at Esther's Place of Grace:
 
Coordinated and facilitated dental work arrangements.
Assisted in obtaining eye care and eyeglasses.
Helped individuals in getting their driving permits.
Connected residents with mentorship opportunities through local churches.
Arranged transportation for a mother with a high-risk pregnancy and her baby with a congenital heart defect from Newark to Columbus for weekly appointments and care.
Ensured attendance at all prenatal doctor appointments.
Assisted in applying for Woman, Infants, and Children (WIC) assistance and SNAP (Food program assistance).
Provided opportunities for local church fellowship, including baptism and fostering ongoing relationships within the community.
Engaged residents in a supportive mom-to-mom mentor group.
Assisted in establishing savings accounts.
Encouraged participation in Ohio Means Jobs classes and training.
Supported residents in finding employment and advancing in their careers.
Offered parenting classes in collaboration with Heartbeats of Licking County.
Hosted wonderful baby showers for expectant mothers.
Ensured successful labor, delivery, and healthy baby outcomes for residents!
 
At Esther's Place of Grace, we take pride in supporting and empowering our residents in various aspects of their lives to help them achieve their goals and build a brighter future.
 
Thank you to all donors and Partners in Grace 
who partner with us to make these things possible. 
It is through your generous giving that we can continue this mission.
 

Baby Jasper Update
 
So many of you prayed and offered love and service to Esther's Place resident Mama K and baby Jasper who was born with a congenital heart condition that required surgery soon after birth.  After some long winter months that sometimes felt touch-and-go, we are happy to report that Baby Jasper is 9 months and is thriving (and giggling and smiling) at home with his mama in their new apartment.  He is no longer wearing his oxygen and is on the road to a healthy babyhood.  We are thankful to have Mama K in our alumni resident community and wish her all the best as she embarks on motherhood.  Thank you for your prayers and support for mama and this little guy.  

Did you see our 2022 Annual Report?  
It's posted on our website - 
stop over and have a look! 

Be A Part of What We Do! Support Us by clicking Here!

This email was created with Wix.‌ Discover More