St Giannas Place

PROVIDE A SAFE HARBOR FOR MOTHER AND CHILD AND A TEMPORARY RESIDENCE FOR PREGNANT MOTHERS IN NEED.

WE PROVIDE A "SAFE HARBOR", A SHELTER FOR HOMELESS PREGNANT WOMEN, DURING THEIR PREGNANCY AND UP TO A YEAR FOLLOWING BIRTH. WE ALSO ALLOW ONE ADDITIONAL CHILD, 2 YEARS AND YOUNGER, TO JOIN EACH MOTHER IN THE HOME (AND EXCEPTIONS TO THIS POLICY ARE CONSIDERED ON AN INDIVIDUAL BASIS). BY THE END OF 2021, WE HAD SERVED 30 WOMEN SINCE OUR OPENING IN THE FALL OF 2019. BECAUSE OF THE UNCERTAIN TIMES DUE TO COVID-19 IN 2020 AND 2021, THERE WAS A HIGHER-THAN-EXPECTED TURNOVER OF RESIDENTS DURING THE EARLY PART OF THE YEAR. HOWEVER, THROUGHOUT 2021, WE WERE FULFILLING OUR GOD-GIVEN MISSION, SERVING MULTIPLE PREGNANT WOMEN AND SEVERAL NEWBORNS. OUR RESIDENTS PARTICIPATE IN LIFE SKILLS TRAINING SUCH AS COOKING CLASSES, WORKING WITH OUR STAFF TO DEVELOP A PLAN FOR FINANCES, PARTICIPATING IN FAITH-BUILDING CLASSES AND BEGINNING TO DEVELOP FOUNDATIONS FOR TRUSTING AND LASTING RELATIONSHIPS, WHICH SOME HAD NEVER EXPERIENCED BEFORE. ST. GIANNA'S PLACE MAINTAINS A TRAINED STAFF IN ORDER TO MAINTAIN THEIR MISSION OF SUPPORTING PREGNANT WOMEN AND THEIR NEWBORNS. DURING 2021, WE ADDED A FULL-TIME CASE MANAGER TO OUR STAFF, WHOSE ROLE IS TO WORK WITH EACH RESIDENT TO IDENTIFY AND WORK TOWARDS PERSONAL GOALS. WE CONTINUE TO USE STAFF FOR EVENING AND OVERNIGHT SHIFTS.ST. GIANNA'S MAINTAINS A SAFE AND COMFORTABLE RESIDENCE FOR PREGNANT WOMEN AND THEIR BABIES. OUR RESIDENCE, WHICH IS OWNED BY THE DIOCESE OF MANCHESTER NH, WAS FORMERLY A RECTORY FOR PRIESTS, AND IT UNDERWENT PARTIAL RENOVATIONS BEFORE OPENING OUR DOORS IN LATE 2019. ONE OF OUR BOARD MEMBERS FOCUSES PRIMARILY ON BUILDING AND GROUNDS ISSUES AND WORKS WITH THE DIRECTOR TO ANTICIPATE AND FOLLOW UP ON ANY NEEDS. WE CAN CURRENTLY HOUSE UP TO 5 WOMEN AND THEIR INFANTS, BUT ARE WORKING TO EXPAND THE USE TO THE THIRD FLOOR OF THE HOUSE - PLANNED FOR COMPLETION IN 2022.ST. GIANNA'S OFFERS RESIDENTS PERSONAL SUPPLIES, ACCESS TO MEDICAL AND CASE MANAGEMENT SERVICES, AND TRAINING TO IMPROVE THEIR ABILITIES TO LEAD SUCCESSFUL LIVES FOR THEMSELVES AND FAMILY. THIS MAY INCLUDE THINGS LIKE: ASSISTING THEM TO GET HEALTH CARE (INCLUDING PRIMARY CARE, OBSTETRICS, AND DENTAL CARE); HELPING THEM TO SET UP A BANK ACCOUNT OR CORRECT FINANCIAL ISSUES; ASSISTING WITH APPLICATIONS FOR FINANCIAL BENEFITS; AND ASSISTING WITH TRANSPORTATION NEEDS. WE ALSO OFFER LIFE SKILLS AND PARENTING COURSES (USING A PROGRAM CALLED BRIGHT COURSES), COOKING CLASSES, AND ACCESS TO EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES AND CAREER TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES FOR THOSE WHO ARE INTERESTED. AT THE VERY CORE OF OUR MISSION ARE OUR FAITH-BUILDING CLASSES, WHICH HELP OUR MOTHERS IDENTIFY THEIR OWN SELF-WORTH AND BEGIN TO DEVELOP A RELATIONSHIP WITH JESUS CHRIST.