MATERNITY HOMES

MATERNITY HOMES. In the 1800s and later, maturity homes were considered places where unwed, pregnant girls went to have their babies. Their absence in town would be explained by "a visit to their grandmother" or that they were "traveling." At the home, they might be registered by a false name or only their first name to disguise themselves. They were given work assignments under the supervising of housemothers until they went into labor when they were taken to the hospital by a social worker. Parents were often discouraged from attending as it was considered disruptive. After the delivery, the mother and baby were returned to the maternity home for nursery care. Some institutions did not encourage mothers seeing or caring for their young. In one or two weeks, the mother was presented with a release of custody form stating that she would not see or hear her child again. (1)

The Salvation Army took up the need in the 1920s. The organization's local officials claimed in 1933 that $2024.00 was spent during the previous two years in the Army Rescue and Maternity Home in Des Moines caring for unwed mothers from Dubuque. The girls were provided for in the home for a period of not less than three months with the average cost for each mother being $300. (2)

In 1968 some people believed that CATHOLIC CHARITIES OF THE ARCHDIOCESE OF DUBUQUE, in operating maternity homes for unwed mothers was depriving the natural parents of families of unwed mothers of the opportunity to become better parents. They believed the organization was taking away the right and duty of these people to protective environment. One solution offered was the continued use of the maternity home if treatment called for it, while requiring the unwed mother's family to take an active role in family counseling. (3) St. Joseph Maternity Home was located according to the 1968 Dubuque City Directory at 515 Fenelon.

The maternity home concept continued to evolve. Life House was formed in 2013 when Tina and Tom Medley saw a need to provide a safe place for young women in crisis pregnancies. To raise money, pink plastic flamingos were placed in yards and then people were asked to donate money so that "trained professionals" could remove them. The faith-based home would accept between six and eight girls between the ages of 12 and 24. They would be allowed to remain in the home for up to a year after they gave birth. (4)

In 2015 Mary's Inn, a faith-based home," was scheduled to be opened at 2750 Balboa Drive in June. According to its literature the home was available to single women in crisis pregnancy and offered them "a safe place to stay while learning the basic skills needed to make a better life for themselves and their babies." The home was planned to house up to eight pregnant women or new mothers at one time. They would receive faith-based care and support. (5) The startup and operations were funded by gifts and donations. (6)

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Source:

1. Ziese, Nancylee, "The Changing Face of Adoption," Telegraph-Herald, January 19, 1990, p. 3

2. "Salvation Army's Work in Dubuque," Telegraph-Herald, April 12, 1922, p. 4

3. "Catholic Charities to Push Guaranteed Annual Income," Telegraph-Herald, November 20, 1968, p. 6

4. Becker, Stacy, "Couple Flocks to the Aid of Young Women," Telegraph Herald, November 10, 2014, p. 3

5. Jacobson, Ben, " Mary's Inn Moves Forward With Planned Maternity Home," Telegraph Herald, March 17, 2015, p. 1A

6. "Maternity Home Remains on Track for June Opening," Telegraph Herald, April 12, 2015, p. 13