Information on The Margaret Home

An information sheet on The Margaret Home:

What is The Margaret Home?

The Margaret Home is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation in Rochester, New York which will develop a house of hospitality built on the foundations of love, dignity, and service in order to provide community living and support for pregnant women in need. The Margaret Home, Inc. is modeled on several, successful programs around the country: Maggie’s Place, Inc. (Phoenix, AZ), Joseph’s House (Syracuse, NY), and Good Counsel Homes (New York City). The Margaret Home, like these other programs, is rooted in the teachings of the Catholic Church and its emphasis on upholding the dignity of life from conception to natural death with a foundation in faith, hope, and love rooted in Jesus Christ, and it is open to women of any/no faith. The Board of Directors of The Margaret Home, Inc. and supporters are currently looking to purchase the former St. Jerome Convent from the Sisters of St. Joseph.

Who will The Margaret Home serve?

The Margaret Home will serve pregnant women 18 years and older who are in need of housing and who are considering either parenting or adoption for their child. Moms must be willing to reside in a community-living environment and agree to abide by the home’s norms and expectations.

For the safety of The Margaret Home community, potential moms must be free from current drug and alcohol use at intake and maintain sobriety throughout their stay. Additionally, moms must be free from active domestic violence and also be free from severe mental illness.

The Margaret Home will have strict house rules by which all residents must abide; security and safety are essential to the success of The Margaret Home. For example, there will be no signage in front of the residence and all visitors will be strictly screened and monitored.

How many women can be housed in The Margaret Home?

There will be room for 5-6 women in the program. There will also be 24-hour live-in staff.

How will The Margaret Home be run?

As a 501(c)(3) organization, The Margaret Home, Inc., has a Board of Directors which will make all major policy decisions, including the purchase of a building, programs, and staffing. Paid staff and dedicated volunteers will provide the day-to-day services at The Margaret Home.

How will The Margaret Home be staffed?

The primary staffing for The Margaret Home will consist of: an Executive Director, who will have oversight for all programs; a House Manager, who will be responsible for implementing the day-to-day operations; a Case Manager, who will be responsible for connecting residents with needed services; and Residential Advisors, who will provide 24-hour, onsite support and supervision for The Margaret Home.

Who is “Margaret”?

The Margaret Home is named after St. Margaret of Cortona, the patron saint of single mothers.

What other organizations support The Margaret Home, Inc.

We are supported by and are working with The Sisters of St. Joseph of Rochester, St. John Bosco School/Chesterton Academy, Knights of Columbus, parishes in the diocese of Rochester, FOCUS Pregnancy Aid Center, Women’s Care Center, etc. We will continue to reach out to organizations and parishes for support of The Margaret Home.

How can I get involved?

The Margaret Home needs men and women of all ages, abilities, and talents to assist in the creation and ongoing support of this house of hospitality. To volunteer or donate, please email themargarethome@gmail.com or call Fr. Mike Mayer at 585-820-4873. Send donations to: The Margaret Home, Inc., c/o Greg Belemjian, 4 Beauclaire Lane, Fairport, NY 14450.

Pax et bonum