Baby on the Way
The contractions were coming hard and fast. This baby was going to be born quickly. After fleeing a domestic violence situation, Jessica had no place to go and nowhere to turn before arriving at The Salvation Army’s Women’s shelter in Greenville just a month prior.
She quickly found the Shelter Women’s Resident Managers on staff that night - one week before Thanksgiving - to let them know it was time for her to have her baby. EMS was called, but they were not going to arrive before the baby did. The staff sprang into action and helped to deliver Jessica’s healthy baby girl right there in the shelter.
Jessica returned to the shelter with her baby after being discharged from the hospital following her birth. She is still there today, along with her older children, as she works with The Salvation Army social services team to follow the steps in her plan forward. The Salvation Army staff works to ensure mom and baby attend regular appointments with healthcare providers, the older children make it to school each day, and that Jessica is receiving the support and care she needs to take care of herself and her family.
The other women and mothers also staying in the shelter pitch in to help fold laundry, or hold the baby so Jessica can rest. It’s these gestures of kindness that help Jessica know she’s loved and supported.
Meeting people where they are, providing compassion, grace and light during some of their darkest times is part of what has driven The Salvation Army’s mission work in Greenville for more than 100 years. With your support, we can continue to help Jessica, and others like her, when it's needed most.
Visit southernusa.salvationarmy.org/greenvillesc/donate-now to make a contribution to The Salvation Army of Greenville. Your donation stays here in our community to help our most vulnerable neighbors when they need it most.