Read the inspiring story of Madeline Boykins, one of the many mothers whose lives have been transformed by Almost Home Non-Profit.
Almost Home/Facebook
(First Alert 4) – Madeline Boykins is one of 1900 mothers who have received a fresh start and a better life thanks to the local non-profit Almost Home.
“I was on the verge of either being hurt from being in the environment that I was in or losing my child,” Boykins said.
Boykins had her son at 13 years old and remembers walking to the hospital to save his life.
“It’s just me and my baby,” she said. “He was in respiratory distress by the time we got there.”
That day was 20 years ago and the moment Boykins was introduced to Almost Home. It’s a shelter where young moms are being rescued from falling through the cracks of poverty since 1993.
“So many times, moms come in and they mention that they have been sleeping in their car for days or weeks or they gave their children to someone else,” Executive Director Huvona Watkins said.
The non-profit houses and feeds moms 16-21 years old and their babies for free. In addition to providing a clothing boutique in the facility where they can shop at no cost. Their medical needs are also met on-site with an exam room and nurse practitioner available.
“They will come with nothing but the clothes on their back. The baby may just come with a diaper and a onesie,” Watkins said.
The mothers must either work or go to school in exchange for the services. Therapy is also required in addition to partaking in financial literacy classes.
“I couldn’t tell you where I would be right today if it wasn’t for this program,” Boykins said.
“They feel safe, where they can learn something, and they won’t feel as if they’re judged. We just want to help them and protect them,” Watkins said.
Boykins, once a teen mom, is now a mother of five, wife, realtor and motivational speaker.
“I’m finally walking into my purpose,” she said.
Almost Home will host its annual charity gala on Thursday, June 13, at Olive + Oak in Webster Groves.
For ticket information, volunteer opportunities, or to make a donation visit https://almosthomestl.org/.
#FreshStart #BetterLife #NonProfit #AlmostHome #Motherhood
