F A L L 2 0 1 8 V O L U M E 2 0

O U R L A D Y O F T H E A N G E L S

M A T E R N I T Y S H E L T E R

613 South 9th Street, Temple, TX 76504 • (254)742-2340 • www.ladyoftheangels.org

Barbara was several months pregnant, homeless, and in desperate need of help. “I was in

Houston and called all the shelters, but none of them had any openings. I thought some

of my family in Austin would take me in, but everybody I called said no. To top it off,

none of the shelters had room. I then decided to go to Killeen but I wasn’t able to find

any help there. I ended up sleeping in my car for a couple of days, putting 5 dollars in the

gas tank when it would get low. I couldn’t turn it off because the FOB had been thrown

out the window. I was about to give up, and I was crying and decided to search on my

phone one more time. This time OLAMS’ number popped up, and I called the number. It was a Sunday

morning at 10am. I will never forget it. They amazingly told me to come over. I couldn’t believe that I

finally had some place to go. When I got there, I had to turn my car off because I couldn’t afford to put

any more gas in. But somehow, I knew it would be okay, and it was. They gave me food first and then

showed me my room, and they had even put a welcome kit in there complete with all the toiletries I need-

ed because I didn’t have anything. The next day they started working with me on my plan and asking me

what I wanted for my future. They even helped me get another FOB so I could have use of my car to work

on my service plan for long-term stability.” A few weeks later Barbara miscarried on her way up the eleva-

tor to labor and delivery. “When I woke up, one of the workers from OLAMS was there. Later the director

came, and they stayed with me, comforting me until I feel asleep. I was very distraught and really crying.

Not only had I lost my baby, but now I had no place to go again. The director assured me that I would be

able to come back and recover physically and emotionally and they would not just turn their back on me.”

The emotional devastation that followed was incredible. However, her being at OLAMS was a blessing. She

was surrounded by nurturing staff and by other caring residents who offered her prayers and support.

These friendships have been instrumental in her healing process. OLAMS supported in her healing, her

health, and now her hope for the future. She thanks the community for their prayers and feels ready and

confident to continue with her progress to independence.

Building a better future ...

OLAMS sees a need to diversify services and offer a continuum of care to meet the needs of the ones we serve today. In addition to shelter and assistance, many clients need specialized counseling to help them overcome the situations that they endured prior to arrival at OLAMS. OLAMS is meeting these needs by planning to implement the following: •Obtain a full time licensed counselor •Increase networking with other organizations for specialized treatment and care •Development of a Transitional Living Program •Long term counseling and materials assistance to further assist former residents and long term clients •Increase outreach for pregnancy /parenting classes and materials assistance in the community

Stories of Hope in the midst of struggle and adversity . .

Sidney is 19 years old and is 7 months pregnant. She came to the shelter by prison transport, after

being released for violation of her probation. Sidney was born in a half-way house, to a mother serv-

ing time in prison for drug violation. She was sent to live with family but ended up running away at the

age of 12 after suffering abuse. She has been on and off the streets since that time. Sidney has

been a victim of human sex trafficking and drug addiction introduced by those who violated her in or-

der to keep her compliant, then later by herself to cope. Sidney didn’t see a future until she was ar-

rested and found out that she was pregnant. She immediately quit using. “During the intake when

the worker explained the program, how they would help, and what she expected of me, I was so happy, and my

heart melted inside. I knew right away I was going to be okay and that this was going to be a wonderful place

for me. I told the worker she felt like a mom. I could tell she cared about me right away. I had never felt like I

had a mom before. She told me about all the positive possibilities, and that blew my mind. When they asked if

they could put my story in the newsletter as a success, I thought she was joking. When she repeated my life to

me and told me how much courage and strength it took to survive all that I had been through and how proud

she was of the things I had already accomplished, I started to cry. I had never heard my name and ‘success’

anywhere together.” Sidney now sees a future for herself and her baby. She wants to make a life for her unborn

child and herself free from the drug abuse and the streets she had to endure. Sidney wants to be the kind of mother

she wishes she had. She is scared because she doesn’t have the tools or any family she can turn to for help along this

journey. Sidney is also desperately hoping that her baby doesn’t suffer in any way from her drug use during the first few

months of her pregnancy when she didn't know. OLAMS helped Sidney get her birth certificate, her social security

card, access to healthcare, food stamps, WIC, and entry on the waiting list for long-term housing. She is taking GED

classes at Temple College and she is realizing her future. Sidney feels she has a lot of people at OLAMS who care

about her and want the best for her and her baby. She is progressing with her service plan, which includes learning

invaluable life skills such as budgeting, nutrition, baby milestones, and breastfeeding. Sidney is eager to learn every-

thing to aid in her future success, and OLAMS will be with her every step of the way.

Rosie is 19 years old, and when she was 11, she lost her mom, and her world and close family was

gone in the blink of an eye. She was separated from her 2 brothers and was sent to live with family

members. Rosie has been the victim of abuse at the hands of her family and then threatened so she

would remain silent. She suffered from severe depression and had serious thoughts about suicide.

Recently, Rosie found out she was pregnant. Her family wanted her to get an abortion, but she want-

ed to keep her baby even though she was scared and had no idea what to expect. When she would

not agree to abort her child, she was kicked out. Luckily, a friend that Rosie worked with took her in and began to help

her look for alternatives. Her friend reached out to OLAMS on her behalf because she was afraid and unsure of what to

say. “When I came here, I was really scared and didn’t know what to expect, but that changed right away as I

felt comfort. They helped me to apply for Medicaid, WIC, and food stamps so that I could start getting pre-natal

care because at 7 months I had not had any. I even had to go to the hospital because I was in pain, but the

worker stayed with me and even held my hand because I was afraid. It was the most support and comfort I had

felt in such a long time. They have helped me so much. They have helped me get a doctor for me and my baby,

a place to stay, and they supported me through my pregnancy and gave me so much stuff to help me get on

my feet. Through all the love, support, and education, I have finally found my voice. I was able to speak about

my abuse for the first time, and I have learned that it was “NOT MY FAULT.” They have helped me see how

strong I truly am.”

P A G E 2

P A G E 3

United Rentals “Women United” group made over one of our large family rooms

and left uplifting messages! Temple Bible Church invited our moms to an 8 week fellowship course called Embrace Grace. They loved it

and made great friends!

Helping Hands shared needed donations with OLAMS!

Rick & Pamela Trevino of Belton Lockshop helped one of our moms get a new car FOB!

OLAMS participated in Back 2 School Community Expo to provide materials assistance!

Altrusa International came out for Make A Difference Day and transformed four of our resident rooms!

Amazing work ladies!

Lady Legendz held a fundraising/donation drive event for OLAMS at Horny Toad Harley Davidson! We love making

new partnerships in the community!

“We do better as a community when we meet the clients’ needs. Increasing networking and community relationships is key .” Georgette Kleinpeter-Greenwood, OLAMS Executive Director

HTCHS and St Joseph School came out and gave the shelter a good cleaning!

Since opening in 1999, we have provided over 26,000 nights of shelter and assistance for :

111 Babies 194 Kids 462 Moms

Will you support our mission? Donations are a fundamental part of our organization. Monthly giving helps us

consistently throughout the year. Would you consider monthly donations? Consistent funding provides more opportunities for growth and enrichment in

our services. Any amount helps!

You can donate on line at www.ladyoftheangels.org, or mail donations to: OLAMS 613 South 9th Street, Temple, TX 76504

Our Lady of the Angels Maternity Shelter is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization

P A G E 4

Interested in sponsoring a table for the banquet?

Call 254-742-2340 for more information. We have Sponsorship levels available for every budget!

Our Lady of the Angels Maternity Shelter’s

16th Annual Fundraiser Banquet Friday, January 25, 2019, 6pm—9pm

Frank W. Mayborn Civic & Convention Center , Temple, TX

Guest Speaker: Bishop David Konderla

All ticket/table reservations sold in advance only Event will fill up fast! For more info, call 254-742-2340