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| Amanda, Brandon, and their daughter found a welcoming home at The Elizabeth House, operated by Care Net Pregnancy Center of Dane County. (Contributed photo) |
“That time in my life was very confusing,” shared Amanda. “I had recently dropped out of college due to stress, anxiety, and depression. And then I found out I was pregnant . . . I just didn’t know what to do.”
Amanda and her boyfriend, Brandon (names changed), came to Care Net feeling nervous, scared, and “a little lost.” They were greeted by “open arms and smiling faces.”
Preparing for the future at The Elizabeth House
While at Care Net, Amanda found out about The Elizabeth House and the opportunity to live in this safe and nurturing environment where she would be free to pursue her goals and learn more about taking care of her daughter.
While at The Elizabeth House, with her basic needs met, Amanda focused on preparing for her future. She and Brandon participated in Care Net’s Best Beginnings classes to learn how to be the best parents they could be.
“There were so many things . . . I had no idea where to begin. The Elizabeth House and Care Net staff were there to help me through everything. Their guidance was so wonderful,” said Amanda.
Brandon and Amanda both worked on their job skills and found full-time work on good career paths.
Making a commitment
Brandon and Amanda saw the value of Christian marriage and they recently celebrated their engagement at Care Net, as the place they recognized as important in their spiritual formation.
Brandon shared, “I proposed to Amanda at Care Net because the staff was so amazing. They were there for that part of our life and welcomed us like we were their own.”
Amanda and Brandon are making a commitment to spend their life together in marriage and create a forever family for their daughter. They have become equipped and confident parents committed to one another and God, and the people of God are bringing about a difference in this family for generations!
Place of help, hope, healing
The Elizabeth House is Care Net’s nine to 12-month goal-oriented residential maternity and parenting program designed to help pregnant women achieve stability and be prepared to care for themselves and their children. For over 10 years, The Elizabeth House has provided a culture of help, hope, and healing.
The Elizabeth House provides food, clothing, and shelter for pregnant homeless women who are in desperate need of a safe living environment and more — all free of charge. The Elizabeth House helps pregnant single mothers ages 18 to 26 and their children become emotionally healthy, self-sufficient members of the community, while building life skills that will enable them to secure employment and housing, manage money, and foster sound decision- making.
The Elizabeth House staff and volunteers share the love and hope of Jesus Christ, instructing those who do not know, providing godly counsel, modeling forgiveness and healthy relationships, and teaching women how to pray.
Year of Mercy
In this Year of Mercy, proclaimed by Pope Francis, all of us at Care Net Pregnancy Center and The Elizabeth House are grateful for our ongoing partnership with the Diocese of Madison as we together put into action tenets of both the Spiritual and Corporal Works of Mercy.
The people of God of the Diocese of Madison make an ongoing difference to bring mercy and to provide both bodily and spiritual care for vulnerable moms, dads, and babies.
Thank you for being a part of Amanda and Brandon’s story and helping them to become the family they are today.