Good Counsel

Housing: while Good Counsel can count 2,920 people helped during the year 2022, many through our national helpline, the efforts of this ministry reach extremely far and wide. Most of our time and energy goes into our homes. Homes that are -like a family" for homeless pregnant and parenting women and children who have nowhere else to turn, no other family or friends to help. Good Counsel operates from a policy of open intake which means we accept any homeless pregnant or parenting woman and her children. Our hotline is answered 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Intake staff received 2,096 calls and 468 online emails for assistance during the calendar year 2022. There are no requirements for admission into our program except to be pregnant and homeless. Good Counsel provides service for those in need through four locations in new york and new jersey. During the calendar year 2022, Good Counsel assisted 124 women and 88 children in our homes with the support and help provided by Good Counsel, Inc, 27 healthy babies were born in 2022. Recently, there has been an increase of migrant women seeking assistance from Good Counsel. Since they do not qualify for most government programs, Good Counsel has been paying for their doctors' visits, as well as all other material support. Many expectant mothers who only seek our spiritual or emotional support during their pregnancy, and later give birth elsewhere, are not included in our housing or birth numbers. Moreover, some mothers who leave Good Counsel while still pregnant because they are able to return to their own homes, are also excluded. Therefore, the impact of our work cannot be fully measured by numbers alone, but rather by the lives that are transformed and the hope that is restored. It is a privilege to be a part of this important mission with women and children, whether as donors, staff, volunteers, resident moms or babies, and to witness the lasting effect it has on all.

Support services: Good Counsel provides internal case management services, counseling, life skills classes which includes but are not limited to: parenting, health, nutrition, social skills, spirituality, and job preparedness including resume writing, interview skills and clothing choices. We provide child care. We offer external referrals and are linked to community programs. We are looking forward to launching additional educational opportunities in the medical field as well as "non-traditional" vocational training. No one example captures the Good Counsel story. Here is zahirah's. She said the very first person she spoke to at Good Counsel gave her a sense of something new - hope. Zahirah had gone down the blackhole of drugs and homelessness. Almost losing her life, after she lost everything materially and spiritually. Molested and broke. Finally, she hit bottom and searched online for mommy and me programs - finding Good Counsel. "my whole life changed, finding Good Counsel. My vision of myself changed. I started gaining weight. I found people, (at Good Counsel) who understood the difficulties i was going through and encouraged me to overcome them; they stayed with me every step of the way." Zahirah juggled two jobs. While working at a hospital she declared, "i'm making 18 an hour i want to become a phlebotomy technician." She was able to move into her own apartment with her child. "i'm so excited and happy. . . I'm so grateful to Good Counsel."

Case planning: each woman admitted to a Good Counsel home is assigned a case manager. Case managers play a crucial role in supporting mothers at Good Counsel, by providing comprehensive assistance, guidance, and advocacy. Their expertise and commitment contribute significantly to ensuring the well-being and empowerment of mothers in challenging circumstances. Emotional support: case managers understand the emotional challenges that mothers may face, particularly those experiencing difficult life situations. They provide a compassionate and empathetic presence, offering a safe space for mothers to express their feelings, concerns, and fears. Through active listening and supportive counseling, case managers help mothers build resilience and cope with emotional stress. Case management and advocacy: case managers serve as advocates for mothers within the legal and social systems. They help navigate complex processes, such as accessing social services, healthcare, housing, and educational resources. They collaborate with other professionals, such as attorneys and healthcare providers, to ensure that mothers' needs are met, and their rights are protected. Community engagement and networking: case managers foster connections and engagement with community organizations and support networks. They help mothers access local support groups, parenting classes, employment services, and other relevant community resources. By building a supportive network around mothers, case managers promote social integration and resilience. Long-term planning and independence: case managers assist mothers in developing personalized long-term plans for self-sufficiency and independence. They provide guidance on setting goals, accessing educational opportunities, acquiring job skills, and securing stable housing. By focusing on empowerment and long-term self-sustainability, case managers support mothers in their journey toward a brighter future for themselves and their children. Case managers at Good Counsel, Inc. Provide invaluable support to mothers, addressing their emotional, educational, practical, and advocacy needs. Their presence ensures that mothers receive comprehensive assistance and guidance to overcome challenges and create a stable and nurturing environment for themselves and their children.

Transportation: transportation to and from medical appointments, food shopping, and at times work. Additionally, transportation has been provided to entities assisting migrant moms with their resident status.