Each young mother brings her own story to Casa Vincentia and it is often one of abuse, abandonment and inadequate education. While their stories tell of admittedly bad choices, most have come from unhappy and often dangerous circumstances. But regardless of the place from which they came, they all come with a hope of making a safer and better life for their babies than the one they have known.

My love for Casa advances because of her potential and her triumphs. Those triumphs are measured in the high rate of healthy births, low rate of repeated pregnancies and success in breaking the ugly cycle of welfare, homelessness and poverty.

Come now with me and stand across the street from Casa Vincentia. Picture yourself, if you can, in the shoes of that young pregnant woman who was so frightened by the shelter she was staying in that she started sleeping in hospital emergency waiting rooms.  Work up the courage to cross the street, unlatch the gate, ring the bell and walk through that open door. Then feel the relief flood your being as you see the safe and beautiful faces of Sister Maureen, the founder, Barbara Jackson, the director and Theresa Chambers, Casa’s case worker.  As you enter some of the rooms of this dear shelter, try to see them - not through your eyes - but through the eyes of someone whose address had recently been the street. And may your heart rejoice as you see the faces of some of the mothers and their babies who have, through Casa Vincentia and their own efforts, made new lives for themselves.

Judith Guerino

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