ELBERTA, Ala. — Mary’s Shelter Gulf Coast is marking 20 years of providing housing and support to homeless pregnant women and their children, with leaders and supporters recently gathering to recognize the anniversary as the organization prepares to expand its housing program.
Those on hand for the celebration included Chairman of the Board the Rev. David Carucci, Executive Director Kay Trattles and Archbishop Mark Rivituso of the Archdiocese of Mobile.
The Baldwin County nonprofit, based in Elberta, opened in 2006. The organization has also been known as Mary’s Haven, as South AL News has reported. It has since housed dozens of mothers, their newborns and their older children.
What the shelter provides
The 24-hour facility gives residents a place to live along with counseling and guidance to help them set goals and plan ahead.
According to the organization, residents stay in an 11-bedroom home in a program lasting about 15 months. During that time, they receive prenatal and postnatal care, attend life skills and parenting classes, work toward a GED, look for full-time employment and build savings before moving to independent living with their children.
The organization has said many of the mothers it serves lack family support, and that more than half of its residents spent some or all of their own childhoods in foster care.
Transitional housing planned
The next step for the organization is a transitional housing program that it expects to begin soon. The program includes three homes where mothers and children can live after leaving the shelter, with the long-term goal of helping families gain the stability and resources to eventually buy homes of their own.
The organization has referred to the effort as Mary’s Village and broke ground on the first three homes on Jan. 28, 2025. Under the plan it announced then, women in the program pay a monthly fee that is held in escrow and applied toward a down payment after two years. The organization said at the time that each woman would have more than $25,000 for a down payment by the end of that period.
It also said it created the program in response to rising housing costs in Baldwin County, saying wages had not kept pace with rent and that waiting lists for subsidized housing can be years long.
How volunteers help
Volunteers play a part in the shelter’s daily operations. Needs include driving residents to medical appointments, jobs and classes that can lead to better employment, along with babysitting and helping to maintain the facility.
The organization also has volunteer opportunities at its thrift shop in Elberta, at 25289 State St., where sales help support its work.
Its annual Be My Valentine fundraiser is scheduled for 1 to 5 p.m. Feb. 20, 2027, at The Flora-Bama.
