Stakeholder Meeting: Elizabeth House
Elizabeth House is a nonprofit organization that helps pregnant women in crisis. They aim to address the whole life of women by providing pregnant women with stable housing, medical care, counseling, case management, and education. 600 women in the Pasadena area alone are in need of housing, and with their background of fleeing drug, alcohol, and domestic abuse, children are often caught in a dangerous environment. Although Elizabeth House’s capacity is 6 women, they continue to provide ongoing resources (diapers, bus tokens, toys) for both the families there and the families that have been referred elsewhere.
As a result of a child’s exposure to violence, these children have a tendency to misbehave more than the typical kids. For instance, a 5-year old girl that this organization has been working with ended up being violent themselves because children like her do not know how to process their trauma and in turn, they reflect/imitate their parents. Another identifying factor that Elizabeth House notices in children of the women in their housing facilities is their knowledge is above the appropriate age level. An underlying reason for their maturity is most likely because they have been abused sexually or physically which leaves room for the adults to take advantage of them.
When a mom seeks Elizabeth House for help, there are specific procedures that take place before the women settle down temporarily.
Procedures:
Phone Interview with a volunteer or staff member (mental health issues, drugs, personal questions)
In-person interviews with Director
Find the best fit (in terms of: will they get along with other moms?/ willingness to improve/ admitting, open to their situation)
Selected women take tests and examinations before arrival (STD’s)
Staff goes through and cleans belongings (no contraband)
Once accepted, the women are shown expectations and rulebooks that include a strict daily schedule of chores.
35 hours of (school, work, or workshop)
1 hour of counseling per/week
In-house meetings
If not accepted, Elizabeth House will provide resources available in the LA area
The sole reason for firm rules is for the benefit of the women's future because they never had rules to follow in the first place. The expectations instill a healthy lifestyle and permit them to work on their problems and towards a goal. An issue with poverty and violence is the outnumbering of people who have needs compared to the resources available in the area. With the rise of COVID-19, these shortages only become more abundant.
Next Step:
The most vital, realistic actions and policies to focus on at the moment, are to seek grants in aid of unemployed women. Programs including Elizabeth House are expensive as a result of case management, housing, and counseling. It is necessary to keep that money going so organizations have the capability to expand their services, reaching out to more women. Fundraising and staying attentive to city council changes is an action item all individuals can accomplish.