Building Bridges: Connecting our Moms to the Resources they Need

She came into our office, stressed, worried and overwhelmed. She had just found out she was pregnant, but she had no idea how to make it work. Maybe leaving her own apartment and moving in with her family was the wrong decision. It had only caused her more pain, frustration and anxiety. She was worried for her baby.

Kiana had decided to keep her baby, but overcoming the obstacles before her seemed impossible. She came to AlphaCare for help. Our nurses and social workers gladly welcomed Kiana with care and respect, and encouraged her in her pregnancy. But Kiana came with some additional weights on her shoulders–the family that she now shared housing with was struggling to pay utility bills each month, and facing a legal dispute that was putting their housing situation in jeopardy. This was clearly beyond the reach of the services we could provide.

Though AlphaCare is unable, in itself, to remove all of the obstacles that our moms’ face, we can build bridges to the programs who are able.

Our social worker gently walked Kiana through the steps needed to apply for LIHEAP (Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program) to receive assistance with the family’s utility bills. She then put Kiana in touch with the legal professionals at Christian Legal Clinic, who provide free legal counsel. These programs and resources not only help meet Kiana’s immediate needs, but her awareness of these programs will go with her as she brings her new baby home and seeks to provide for him.

Our AlphaCare staff is very good at what they do, but they can’t do it all. Instead, they build bridges to the community resources that will help moms succeed, and, most importantly, to the Christ who can give them true hope.