September 2016 Newsletter

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A Baby Was On The Way

Dawn was pregnant, homeless, on drugs, poorly nourished, lacking a social network. Those were the facts. Whatever circumstances brought on all these conditions, what mattered now was that a baby was on the way. She said, “I went to the Emergency Room for a test. I was one month pregnant, sick from dope, only eating something once every few days and living with a guy that was abusive. I knew if I didn’t get some help, that my baby would die.” Using the Oregon Health Plan, she checked into an inpatient treatment program. Dawn graduated after 60 rough days of detoxifying and stabilizing on antidepressant medication. But, she still needed a place to go.

Our Samaritan Inn is a maternity home for adult, homeless mothers. We also care for women without children. She needed accountability to stay o drugs and a safe place to bring her baby home after delivery. Those were the conditions for having custody of her child, indeed requirements for the baby to be with his mother. We put her on the buddy system, so someone was always with her when she left here. Dawn said, “I received shelter, bed, food, support emotionally, mentally, friendship, love, God. I rededicated my life to the Lord. I finally turned my head and surrendered to my Lord. I am happy, not depressed, no anxiety, more at peace.” We assigned her a private room for mothers weeks before she was due to give birth, so she could begin nesting, gathering baby clothes and other essentials. She said, “I needed to sleep, put my swollen feet up.” Still, she had a surge of energy for decorating, as she prepared to be a mother.

It was the Fourth of July, and it was four weeks too early. But, it was time. At 10pm, a taxi was called to take her to the hospital. Dawn pleaded, “I am scared and alone.” Our staff supervisor texted Linda, our manager, who was watching reworks. She arrived at the hospital at 10:40pm. Dawn’s response was, “I felt good, loved and cared for.” They listened to worship music and prayed, asking for an easy delivery. Two hours later, at 12:40am, July 5th, a baby boy was born. He was five pounds, nine ounces. Hospital staff took him to the nursery down the hall. They had record of her drug use, and he was born premature. Her first contact with Child Protective Services would be at the hospital after delivery. A blood sample was taken from the umbilical cord to determine her compliance with the custody stipulation of no further drug use. She already knew the reality of her own behavior, but would the tests agree? Would they bring her baby back to her? Anxious, she waited. Tests were good; baby was healthy. She named him Gabriel, after an angel. This angelic message was, “God loves me and my baby.”

Linda brought Dawn and Gabriel home three days later. First, Gabriel had to pass a car seat tolerance test for premature babies. We gave Dawn that car seat and a donated stroller to relieve her of those motherly concerns. Diapers, baby wipes and formula, all aided in the rescue of this homeless mother and child.

Dawn is now receiving a Domestic Violence grant and a Temporary Assistance for Needy Families grant. They are designed to help families achieve self-sufficiency by getting the parent back to work. Soon, she will be moving out with a new identity – a Christian mother who is addiction free and not homeless anymore.