In Orange, Virginia, a maternity home proudly displays the motto “Saving Babies, One Mom at a Time.” Founded by Randy and Evelyn James, their inspiration came from their experience raising their sixth child, Paul Stefan, who was born with a fatal condition and lived only 40 minutes. This tragic event led them to establish maternity homes to support women facing crisis pregnancies. The Paul Stefan Foundation, named after their son, is set to open a new floor with seven additional rooms in August at their headquarters.
Following the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, there has been a nationwide surge in maternity homes. The Maternity Housing Coalition, a nonprofit network of 195 maternity homes, has witnessed a 23% growth post the court ruling, with more than 450 maternity homes now operating in the U.S. These facilities, often faith-based, aim to offer housing and financial support to pregnant women and mothers in need, ultimately aiming to prevent abortions and provide long-term assistance.
The history of maternity homes in the U.S. reflects a painful legacy from the Baby Scoop Era before Roe v. Wade, where many infants were surrendered for adoption. Today, maternity homes cater mostly to low-income pregnant women, offering support during and after their pregnancies. While some homes specialize in adoption services, others focus on addiction recovery or keeping children out of the foster care system.
Critics argue that maternity homes intertwined with the anti-abortion movement may still exert coercive influences. However, supporters highlight the essential services these homes provide in the absence of a robust social safety net. While some homes, like Mary’s Shelter and Paul Stefan, do not accept state or federal funds, others receive public money through federal grants and state allocations.
Maternity homes across the country are expanding, welcoming women with multiple children and providing essential support. Despite their faith-based origins, many homes do not have religious requirements for residency. The founders of these homes believe that by supporting pregnant women and mothers, they are defying the notion that the anti-abortion movement solely focuses on unborn children without caring for families after birth.
Testimonials from residents of maternity homes like Paul Stefan emphasize the positive impact these facilities can have on women facing challenging circumstances. Success stories of women who found support at these homes and went on to build better lives highlight the critical role maternity homes play in providing a supportive and nurturing environment for women and their children.
