The Salvation Army has been chosen by Community Shelter Board to expand its housing program to serve pregnant women experiencing homelessness. This program is funded by the City of Columbus and will work in collaboration with Celebrate One.

The program offers services focused on housing stabilization and healthy pregnancies, babies and families.

Specific services provided include linkages to prenatal care; assistance in securing affordable housing; job training and employment services; and short-term rental assistance. The goals of the program include providing resources and guidance to pregnant women to ensure proper prenatal care; assisting new moms to secure employment with a livable wage; and helping new moms to maintain a healthy lifestyle so their baby can thrive.

“We are thrilled to be a part of this new initiative to help moms learn the skills needed to maintain a stable and healthy environment for themselves and their children,” said Major Debra Ashcraft, Area Coordinator for The Salvation Army in Central Ohio.

The agency includes Delaware County.

“Every newborn baby should start their life in a safe, loving home – not in a homeless shelter. A stable home with stable income make the greatest impact on the overall health of an expecting mother and on her baby’s birth outcome,” said Michelle Heritage, Executive Director of Community Shelter Board.

The mission of The Salvation Army is to meet human needs without discrimination. Since 1885, The Salvation Army has been meeting the needs of the Central Ohioans through casework services, utility assistance, housing homeless families, food, clothing, youth programs, employment services, after school tutoring and enrichment, summer camp, long-term rehabilitation, services to victims of human trafficking, and spiritual guidance.

Last year, The Salvation Army in Central Ohio served almost 134,000 people in need.