Maternity & Pregnancy Services

Lourdeshouse Maternity Services

Facing an unplanned pregnancy is a frightening and lonely experience.

Lourdeshouse, located in Harrisburg, is the only facility that provides specialized, comprehensive maternity care and residential services to women in need in South Central Pennsylvania.

The 16-bedroom facility houses up to 16 residents at a time. Our clients are typically single women who have no family support, including homeless women or women coming out prison.

The program closely monitors medical care and nutrition to ensure a healthy mother and child. Through counseling and case work services, women are helped through pregnancy and learn how to care for their family.

Women can stay at Lourdeshouse throughout the term of their pregnancy and up to six months after the birth. Mothers and infants continue to receive support through the baby’s first year.

Lourdeshouse is part of the Pennsylvania “Real Alternatives” program. This initiative provides alternatives to women considering abortion by offering counseling and support services.

Program Services

  • Housing
  • Intensive case management to address barriers to self-sufficiency
  • Childbirth education
  • Parenting classes
  • Hot, nutritious meals provided on site
  • Access to other Catholic Charities services such as free, licensed outpatient counseling and adoption services for those unable to care for their babies
  • Transportation to pre-natal and post-delivery medical appointments
  • Aftercare
  • Pantry items for people in the community with children twelve months or younger

What is the cost? 

Services at Lourdeshouse are offered at no charge to the client.

Testimonials

In the summer of 2016, Maggie* had been living with her parents when she found that she was pregnant with her second child. Frustrated with Maggie’s lack of responsibility, Maggie’s parents kicked her out of the house, leaving her with nowhere else to turn. At five months pregnant, Maggie was welcomed into the Lourdeshouse Maternity Home.
Determined to turn her life around, Maggie eagerly engaged in all of the services provided by Lourdeshouse, including developing a family wellness plan, participating in parenting and childbirth classes, and attending regular prenatal appointments. Maggie also connected with a number of Lourdeshouse’s community partners to develop life skills and begin building the necessary steps towards self-sufficiency. Before long, Maggie delivered a healthy baby boy and reunited with her family. With the assistance of the Lourdeshouse program, Maggie later secured permanent housing, purchased a vehicle, and enrolled in school.

- Anonymous
Council on Accrediation Pennsylvania Association of Nonprofit Organizations United Way

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