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Carey's Corner
An update from the Executive Director especially for you
"Not all of us can do great things. But we can all do small things with great love." - St. Teresa of Calcutta
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Greetings!
What joy this season brings! The hope found in the Resurrection, the warmer weather and longer days, and blossoming life all around me have brought a "spring" to my step, and I hope to yours as well. While we are not out of the woods yet, the roll-out of vaccines and a reopening of life as we once knew it also brings great hope that this chapter will soon be behind us.
With deep gratitude to you, our loyal friend, the thing that brings even greater joy is the amazing love you showed our mothers and babies during such a challenging year. Your support allowed us to continue serving the most vulnerable among us and helped us reach our Growing the Mission in a New Home capital campaign goal, raising upwards of $5MM.
Although we encountered a slight delay, we are packing our belongings and planning to move to our new home at 139 West Rocks Road in June, where your support ensures we can be here for the next generation of mothers and babies, looking for safety, hope, and love.
On behalf of all of us at Malta House, I wish you a healthy, safe, and blessed spring. See you at MH2!
With gratitude and love,
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Carey Dougherty
Executive Director
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Your impact: Without YOU stories like this would not happen |
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"To all the volunteers that helped me move into my new home: I appreciate you from the bottom of my heart. Without all of you, none of this would have happened. You guys are truly the best! You made me and my family feel so blessed.
I love you all to the moon and back! You all put a smile on my face. I will never forget you. Thank you so much! I'm so appreciative of all of you -- more than you could ever know."
~Tiffany
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Partnerships enable the Outreach Program to reach even more |
The Malta House Outreach Program continues to thrive because of donors like you who continue to help distribute basic needs to families in the community.
Recently, through a partnership with the Diaper Bank, Knights of Columbus, and the Maritime Pre-School, we were able to provide each of our families with new age-appropriate books and supplies in addition to our regular giving.
Our families are always incredibly thankful for the support they receive through this program.
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Expansion of our Mother Mentor Program helps even more women towards independence and self-sufficiency
In April, the Mother Mentor program expanded to include a Big Sister/Little Sister component. We pair current residents with either a Mother Mentor or a former resident who is actively engaged in the Partnering Success program providing an excellent example of what maintaining independence in the community looks like. Through this initiative, new residents will be matched with their big sister or mentor during their first week in the program.
Just one day after entering the home, resident Ruth R. met with her Big Sister, Zenovia M. After their initial introduction, Zenovia and Ruth took the time to get to know each other over lunch at the Malta House kitchen. They have visibly connected via FaceTime on several occasions since then.
In addition to our former residents, we have partnered with the D&T Collaborative, a Fairfield County women’s group whose mission is to impact and empower underserved families in the community.
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Your gifts hard at work doing small things with great love |
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“There are no great things, only small things with great love.” – Mother Teresa
At Malta House, we firmly believe in the power of small things making a big impact.
We see it every day in the kind smile of someone who drops off a new stroller for a mother in need or when we catch a nursery volunteer teaching an infant to clap and find his or her voice.
For women who have experienced trauma, homelessness, and sometimes desperation, great love through seemingly small acts is the most comforting and transformative.
Thank you for your gift to our year-end campaign. Through your giving, you made a big impact - you gave with great love.
Below we feature some of the stories your giving helped to make possible.
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Meet Baako: because of YOU, her life is being transformed
Baako came to Malta House late in her pregnancy. She had come from overseas, but she found herself with nowhere to live out on the street because of her pregnancy.
She came to Malta House, and we immediately connected her with prenatal care, where she learned she had health complications that could compromise the delivery of her baby. She now keeps her weekly appointments with her doctors and carefully monitors her baby’s growth.
“I am grateful for the support I have received in the program and so very thankful for the friendships I have made while here at Malta House,” says Baako.
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Meet Cassandra: because of YOUR donation, she is on the way to independence |
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Cassandra joined Malta House this past spring with her baby.
Before coming here, she had been evicted and didn’t know where to turn. Today, she is back in school, enjoying her classes and extracurricular activities. She is now seeking part-time work, working herself onto the road of independence for herself and her baby.
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Because YOU care, our Financial Literacy Program is helping women achieve financial freedom |
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Moms at Malta House receive a full continuum of support centered on nine core competencies: education, employment, parenting, childcare, finance, mental health, spirituality, nutrition, and volunteerism.
As part of the finance core competencies, women receive individualized weekly budgeting support through Budgeting 101 plus financial literacy classes that focus on community opportunities available to low-income families.
Through your small acts, you are helping women learn how to manage debt and achieve financial freedom. You are breaking the barriers to homelessness.
Without you, these small life-changing acts would not possible.
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Thanks to YOU, we have welcomed new babies to our very special "home"! |
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Malta House is tickled pink with the new arrivals of all of the beautiful babies born this Winter.
Because of you making Malta House possible, we are so thrilled to offer a warm welcome to these little bundles of joy!
· Barbara had twin boys, Ayden and Kamar, on January 9th
· Kelsey had a baby boy, Karma, on March 2nd
· Britney had a baby girl, Paris, on March 15th.
· Olda had a baby boy, Curtis, on April 21st.
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YOU make our wishes comes true! |
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We are indebted to YOU for your continued support through our gala event!
The 2021 Malta House Annual Gala was held on May 7th at the Woodway Country Club in Darien.
Our evening was magical!
210 people attended our in-person hybrid event. Our guests were seated inside and outside and we had 164 people attend online.
With your help, we exceeded our fundraising goal!
Highlights of the evening included our wonderful honoree, John L. Altieri, Jr., and the Dream Team who were recognized for their incredible creation of Malta House 2.
Another tender moment included our beautiful moms and babies as they were recognized for special accomplishments and joined me on stage.
Please find below the recorded live feed from the event, the gala video tribute, and the evening program.
Thank you again and may God continue to bless you.
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"It was an evening filled with love and joy, like no other Benefit.
Congratulations." -- Sarita Hanley
Featured above are Audrey Cozzarin (left) and Sarita Hanley (right)
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Enjoy these highlights from our magical evening... |
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Thank YOU for your help in providing Hope for Life as our Malta House family continues to grow. – the Board of Malta House |
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Our Mission: Malta House promotes the dignity of God-given life by providing a nurturing home environment, support services, and independent living skills to pregnant and parenting mothers of all faiths and their children.
Mothers at Malta House receive on-site counseling, financial education, and parental development, followed by transitional and post-residential support.
Providing 'Hope for Life' for pregnant and parenting mothers and their children
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Don't forget to follow us on social media! |
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