Transforming Lives Two Generations At A Time
How Does Ruth Harbor Have Long-term Impact?
Ruth Harbor Ministries exists to see lives transformed through God's love. It is important to understand what life looks like for women who come to Ruth Harbor.
Recently, a young woman was referred to Ruth Harbor, who was in her ninth month of pregnancy. She was homeless, living in her car, and had received little medical care during her pregnancy. Within a week of arriving at our maternity home, she gave birth to a healthy baby. She is now living with us with her child as part of our Mother/Child Program.
This story is not uncommon. In one week last month, two additional women, each living with their 1-year-old child in their car, moved into Ruth Harbor. Many women who come to Ruth Harbor are coming to us out of poverty. It is difficult to understand the profound impact of generational poverty until you begin to see the consequences.
According to a 2014 study by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, about 160,000 new mothers were homeless at the time they gave birth to their child. The University of Notre Dame observes that "Babies born to women who struggled with housing insecurity during their pregnancy face an increased risk of premature birth or low birth weight, which, in turn, can lead to longer hospital stays, more intensive medical care, and more time in the NICU."
Ruth Harbor is one of Iowa's leading housing providers for pregnant mothers and their children. We are one of over 400 similar ministries across the United States that stand in this gap to provide safe and secure housing for women with few other options.
Breaking the Cycle of Poverty, however, requires more than a home; it requires an ongoing relationship that builds trust and confidence as women seek to become self-sufficient.
It is difficult to grasp the compound effects of generational poverty. For example, a young single mom achieves her goal of independent living. She has a job that provides a livable wage for herself and her child. She is working hard to build the proper habits and routines in her life that contribute to a sustainable life. Then her car breaks down. She doesn't have a family she can call for help. Who can fix her car? How much will it cost? Where will she get the money to pay for the repair? How will she get to work while her car is being repaired? Is there someone she can trust to fix her car at a reasonable rate without taking advantage of her?
This simple illustration illustrates why the Cycle of Poverty is so difficult to break. Evidence suggests that it takes a two-generation approach to break the Cycle of Poverty. It is important to address the needs of the whole family, the mother, and the child, to overcome this vicious cycle.
This is a growing problem in our community and our state. Ruth Harbor's service to pregnant women needs to consider the well-being of the mother and child beyond the normal scope of care that Ruth Harbor provides. To see lives transformed, we must help to create a strong sense of security that only a family can provide.
Many programs focus on just the women, and many programs focus on just the children; we need to look at how we can address the needs of the mom and the child the way God designed for those needs to be met--with a family.
How You Can Help
As a partner of Ruth Harbor, we value your contribution, both through prayer, your service, and your financial giving. Now more than ever, we see the need for the ministry of Ruth Harbor within our community.
If you are not part of our prayer team, please consider joining us in prayer today.
If you want to bless women directly with needed items, look at our Wish List.
If you are not a monthly supporter of Ruth Harbor, consider giving financially to forward the mission of serving young women in need.
