It became clear at the Newcastle Chamber of Commerce Impact Luncheon June 26 that an essential service in this area must include organizations that focus on helping teens and young women who are pregnant.
The Impact Luncheon is an annual event of the Chamber which highlights Newcastle-area nonprofit entities. While there were a variety of nonprofits in attendance, three were specific to the aid of pregnant teens and pregnant women.
Representatives from Grace Home OK in Blanchard, from Jericho Young Mothers Home in Newcastle, and from the McClain County Health Department were in attendance at the luncheon to describe their organization and its services.
Grace Home OK is a maternity home for women ages 18 and above who need help. Jericho Young Mothers Home is a new facility in Newcastle which is being built to aid pregnant teen girls who are in foster care. And, Elizabeth Torrenueva is a community healthcare worker at the Blanchard office of the McClain County Health Department who provides pregnancy resources and guidance to those in need.
Jayna Kinnamon has been attending the Newcastle Chamber functions consistently for the past year as she and her husband have been diligently at work building Jericho Young Mothers Home. Kinnamon said they purchased a property in Newcastle in December last year to house pregnant young mothers who are currently in the Oklahoma foster system and who want to keep their children.
Kinnamon said they are working with Oklahoma Department of Human Services and are currently in a renovation on the property for a residence, an apartment facility, and an educational facility.
While they will receive state funding for the girls’ living expenses, they still have many funding needs including those necessary to pay for the renovations. They currently have a fundraising campaign underway to raise a goal of $200,000. They’ve raised $50,000.
“These girls already don’t feel worthy,” Kinnamon said. “We are going to make the difference.”
She said these young mothers face increased challenges related to educational attainment and employment, often affecting their ability to become self-sufficient.
Jericho Young Mothers Home intends to provide resources and education toward their self sufficiency including love, acceptance, encouragement, selfdiscipline, child care, and spiritual guidance.
If you would like to donate to Jericho Young Mothers Home, please text Kinnamon at 720-877- 1917.
Grace Home OK provides women between the ages of 18 and 30 who find themselves in an unsupported pregnancy, with Christ-centered support and safe housing. They are in their 10th year.
They have a 5,000 squarefoot home with six rooms which averages four to five women and babies at a time. Grace Home OK helps the women with GED work to attain their high school diplomas. They help with any legal issues the women may have, and they help provide healthcare through the Norman Healthplex.
They work with the women on daily life skills such as food and nutrition, goal setting, and time management. They help with parenting skills, planning, and education and career skills.
To donate to Grace Home OK, go to https://give.cornerstone. cc/gracehomeok.
While not a non-profit entity but instead a government agency, the McClain County Health Department also has pregnancy resources and help.
Torrenueva said she and the agency gather resources needed by pregnant women and girls, and speak to the individuals. They provide mental health screenings, help with food insecurity, and weekly follow-ups with moms. She said many times she can provide pack and plays, diaper bags, and medical kits. She also can issue car seats to eligible families.
Torrenueva said the Health Department is planning a Baby Shower on August 10 at the McClain County Extension Center in Purcell.
She said she’s working with Connie Wollenberg, at the OSU Extension Center. They are both part of the Care Coalition of Purcell, which provides community resources for everyone.
Torrenueva said 15 organizations have signed up for the two-hour fair-type event from 10 a.m. to noon. Their vendors will have pregnancy resources for women and infants, and there will be door prizes such as infant carriers, pack and plays, and baby needs. These will be given away every 15 minutes. A Kids Zone will be provided by the local 4-H Club so children can have something to do.
Torrenueva said there will be no vendors selling; only free information provided. Torrenueva can be reached at the McClain County Health Department in Blanchard. Call 405-485-3319 on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays.
