by Valerie Harkins, Executive Director of the Maternity Housing Coalition
Oh, the media buzz! Recent headlines have been as dramatic as a soap opera, stirring up discussions and raising more eyebrows than a surprise baby shower. Accusations of infantilizing residents, religious coercion, and overly controlling measures have been thrown around, suggesting that these practices strip residents of their dignity.
But let's cut through the noise with some clarity. As the Executive Director of the country's largest network of maternity homes, I've seen firsthand that in residential ministry, finding the right balance is key. Too little structure, and we're in a free-for-all; too much, and we might just squash the Spirit, leading back to—you guessed it—chaos.
To critically assess our practices, we need to go back to the basics:
- What problem was this rule meant to solve?
- Has the context evolved since then?
- Have these rules effectively addressed the initial issues?
Let's discuss one controversial tool and share the right questions your organization can ask to determine your motives for using it.
Tracking Apps
Consider the controversial tool of mandatory tracking apps for residents. Originally, these might have been about ensuring safety for women escaping dangerous situations like stalking or trafficking. Here, a tracking app isn't just tech; it's a safety net with features like crash detection and emergency alerts.
But what if we're using these apps just to catch lies? Here's a comedic news flash for you: if you think you've stopped all the lying, congratulations, your resident has just outsmarted you. Deception might be part of the survival toolkit for some, so the real questions become:
- Is catching every lie our mission?
- Is it more mission-focused for our concerns to be focused on safeguarding children, preventing addiction relapse, or maintaining a peaceful home environment?
A few ways we can address these concerns:
- Check on the well-being of the children upon return by looking for obvious bruising, appropriate attire, and their general countenance.
- Implement regular drug tests to support recovery. These are recommended to be randomized regularly, as well as administered upon returning from an outing.
- Adjust curfews to foster tranquility. If a resident misses curfew, this could result in a discussion similar to that of mentorship or perhaps even a change in their permitted outing schedule going forward.
This leads us to ask these questions regarding tracking apps:
- Do they actually solve the problem at hand?
- Are they the least invasive option?
- Do they provide the most beneficial support?
You decide.
I’ll leave you with a few thoughts to consider regarding the accusations from those who have never served a single day in a maternity home. Are maternity homes harming women? No. While we may all differ within our community about how to protect our residents, we can all agree that maternity homes are operated by a radically caring and empathetic group of people.
Even in this accusation of a tracking app allegedly causing harm and stripping dignity, the resident is always welcomed in the home, cared for in every way throughout her pregnancy, and shown overall concern for her safety and well-being.
I’m proud of who we are, I gladly accept our growing pains and learned lessons along the journey of this ministry. I encourage you to as well.
Hold your head high knowing that you have been chosen for the privileged position of serving women alongside Jesus. You are the best of our country - radical givers, selfless servants, merciful forgivers. Each of your homes has challenges to overcome and rules attempting to get you there. Sometimes, we adjust these rules and learn through the journey. We understand.
The greatest point is to keep going!
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Would you like to review your mission and rules with a Maternity Housing Specialist? That’s what the Maternity Housing Coalition is here for! Book your free consultation today: Housing Consultation
