St. Mary’s Home has continuously and responsively served pregnant youth in Ottawa since 1933. Specialized residential and community support services are provided to marginalized young pregnant women (ages 12-25), young parents and their children. The approach is holistic, grounded in a strong commitment to strengthen and build upon the personal resilience of each individual.
St. Mary’s Home is a not-for-profit charitable organization serving the Ottawa area and beyond. As the only Residential / Shelter program in Eastern Ontario for this population of interest, the Home accommodates 15 homeless young women and up to 15 newborn infants at a time. The Residence assists approximately 70 young mothers and their infants annually. Residential support continues from pregnancy until the infant is up to 8 months of age.
Community support and follow-up programs are available for another 5-6 years. Two blocks down the street is our Young Parent Outreach Centre which opened its doors in January 2002.
The Centre is a ‘one-stop’ hub of services, health care and educational programs that is working annually with 450 youth and 300 children under the age of 4 years. More than 20 organizations are partnered with St. Mary’s Home, making specialized services accessible on site. A focus on a strength based and trauma informed approach along with support for positive parenting and developing healthy attachment in young children are cornerstones of the agency.
