January 27, 2016
A house of hope Around Town
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Celebrating 100th Scout
Special Best of Section Western Healthy Living St. Charles
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School
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Submitted photo The front of the The Sparrow’s Nest Maternity Home for teen mothers located in St. Charles County. It is a renovated a five bedroom, four bathroom house for teen mothers who are experiencing homelessness.
The Sparrow’s Nest gives homeless teen mothers a place to get their lives in order
FZSD Spelling Champion
By Brett Auten Carissa Figgins wanted to help those who felt helpless. She wanted to shelter those who have been shunned and comfort those who thought they were all alone. Figgins is the founder and the executive director of St. Charles County’s The Sparrow’s Nest Maternity Home for teen mothers, 19-and-under, who are experiencing homelessness. The Sparrow’s Nest welcomed their first resident in August 2014. “I saw a need for housing all over St. Charles but particularly for the unstable, teen parents,” Figgins said. “We have had girls who have continued the cycle of homelessness that began with their family to girls from well-off homes who need time to figure out what they need to do. No matter what, it’s a shock for the girls’ parents. It’s not what they want or hoped for and unfortunately their first response is not one of support and compassion.” Figgins and her team have renovated a five-bedroom, four-bathroom house located on one acre of woods; and have met state licensing, all the while main-
taining the warmth and welcome of a family home. Young mothers who are pregnant, homeless and parenting can stay at The Sparrow’s Nest for the duration of their pregnancy and then up to a year after their baby is born. The hope is for the mother and baby to return to a safe and stable home environment with their families. If the young women is of age they will assist her in locating transitional housing until she can learn to live independently. The Sparrow’s Nest has an aftercare program in development that includes scholarships for continuing education and incentives for staying off welfare. “Once they age out it is not the end of the relationship,” Figgins said. “They are still struggling and we want them to know we’re still available.” All residents of The Sparrow’s Nest are required to finish their education either in public school, private school, a homeschooling situation or GED program. Residents are also required to attend a church and are required to volunteer back in the community. Also, they will
complete parenting curriculum that includes childcare/parenting, budgeting, job skills, healthy relationships, healthy lifestyles and bible study. Each girl will be responsible for cleaning her own space, taking care of her laundry and assisting in meal preparation. See NEST on page 3
Recipe
Weeknight Cooking
Movie: “The Lady in the Van”
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