For 18 year old Corrine and her baby daughter Cecelia, the Heery Center, operated by Community Maternity Services, an agency of Catholic Charities, has provided an invaluable source of support, care and love for pregnant teens on the journey of learning to be a parent. “I don’t know where I would be without this place”, said Corrine cradling adorable four month old Cecelia.

CMS operates three main residential assistance programs which provide a continuum of services, caring for children, families and pregnant and parenting adolescents. All services are provided regardless of income, age, gender, disability, race, ethnicity, lifestyle or religious belief. CMS provides those in need with a loving, safe environment empowering young girls to become responsible adult parents.

Pregnant teens live at the Joyce Center for the term of their pregnancy. While at the Joyce Center, young women receive academic schooling along with education on issues such as parenting, adoption options, life skills and sexuality. Residents also receive group, individual and family counseling.

The Heery Center is a residence presently housing 10 mothers and their children. Approximately 50% of Joyce Center residents move on to the Heery Center after the birth of their child. At the Heery Center, young mothers complete schooling while they learn how to care for their child in a responsible and nurturing manner.

Some Heery Center residents move on to the Supervised Independent Living Program (SILP) which provides apartments and helps young mothers to become proficient in skills that are required to run a household.

Mothers who pass through Community Maternity Services maintain relationships with dedicated staff members like Tameka Lawyer, a caseworker at SILP shown to the far left next to Regina Middleton, who directs the Heery Center, and Judy Cannata, Clinical Social Worker at the Joyce Center, shown to the right of baby Cecelia and Corrine. “Our girls leave but it doesn’t stop there, we are a family” said Tameka.