Almost Home
Almost Home
Almost Home is a transitional housing program for teenage mothers and their children.
Through the ministry of transitional housing and education, Almost Home provides a secure environment conducive to the development of the emotional, social, economic and family skills needed for self-sufficiency in teenage mothers and their children who are homeless or living in unsatisfactory conditions.
Almost Home, Inc., was founded by the Franciscan Sisters of Mary in 1993. At that time, Irene Radtke, FSM, and Jacinta Elmendorf, FSM, initiated extensive research that identified a critical gap in homeless services for teenage mothers and their children. The first home, Odilia House, opened in South St. Louis, serving five mothers and their children. Fifteen mothers and their children could be served when Almost Home expanded to larger quarters in North St. Louis County. Now, at its own facility in South St. Louis City, the residence provides a safe and family-style environment for fifteen young families. Also, a newly-opened 12-unit apartment building provides ongoing support and services to young families, thus ensuring a successful and productive transition into the community.
Carrie is a 17-year-old who found herself and her two sons continually moving to the homes of friends and family after leaving their own unstable and often violent home. Additional problems developed during the moves, and Carrie needed help.
At Almost Home, her strengths, along with her individual and family needs were identified. Carrie was encouraged to stay focused on her studies. Her children attended a day care program and her mother helped when she could. Carrie became a diligent and successful student.
Carrie and her sons left Almost Home last year so she could begin her freshman year at the University of Missouri at Columbia. Currently, she is pursuing a degree in forensic pathology. While she is in class her children attend campus child care. The social workers and house parents of Almost Home keep in touch with her and say she is doing very well.
Since its inception, Almost Home has made a positive difference in the lives of over 800 teenage mothers and their children.