CUMBERLAND — Taneesha Coleman remembers those early days as a young mother.
“It was hard. I was still in high school. I was a senior.”
Her daughter was collicky, and Coleman quips she didn’t see a smile for five months.
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That was years ago. Even though Coleman’s daughter is grown now and recently became a mother herself, Coleman still feels a heart tug for young moms.
“I’ve always been drawn to young women and kids.”
Coleman and other volunteers from Heather Hills Baptist Church work to come alongside families with young children through the MOM (Maternity Outreach Ministry) House.
From the yellow house at 1325 N. German Church Road, they offer clothes, diapers and other supplies for babies and young children. During select hours through the week — 9 to 11 a.m. Mondays and Saturdays, and 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Tuesdays — they check in visitors who show photo ID and hand them a clothes basket.
The basket is their shopping cart as they survey the three rooms and select onesies and other items such as blankets, bibs and hats. There are also some maternity clothes available for expectant mothers.
There was the time a baby was carried in wearing just a diaper and it was cold outside. There are moments when grandparents are coming with children in their care because the parents are deceased or incarcerated. Those staffing the MOM House see listening as part of the ministry they offer.
“Our whole purpose is reflecting love,” Coleman said. “They’re down. That’s the time they need love the most.”
Dr. Brian McCrorie, senior pastor at Heather Hills, said about 900 families from the community come through the doors each year.
“The MOM House was created to be a ministry to moms in our community, especially those who are struggling with life,” he wrote in an email to the Daily Reporter. “We offer free baby clothing, diapers, formula, and other helpful baby items — all at no charge. We want to show the love of Jesus to others, ultimately so they will come to know and love him as we do. … We’re hoping to touch many, many more in the years ahead.”
Coleman tells of a wide group of volunteers who bring their talents to help the MOM House function, beyond those who greet visitors during the open hours or watch a child play in the toy kitchen while a caregiver gathers clothes.
One woman stops by through the week to wash and dry donated clothes, slipping them onto hangers and sewing on any stray buttons. A man in his 20s with a disability sorts hangers by type and bundles them so they’re at easy access for hanging newly donated clothes. Older women sort donations in the storage area; their husbands may tinker with toys and see if anything needs fixing.
“Everybody knows what needs to be done,” Coleman said. “You just come in and get it done.”
Ginny Mooneyhan has been volunteering at the MOM House for about 10 years.
“The Lord laid it on my heart to help,” she said. “I just love it.”
Mooneyhan and the others who greet visitors check them in, guide them through the rooms, and offer a Bible to those who want one. Volunteers also offer to pray with those who visit. Coleman points out, though, that there’s no pressure and the clothes are given regardless of whether someone accepts a Bible or a prayer.
Another volunteer, Barbara Rogers, helps check in visitors and sometimes wraps diapers in bundles of eight or 10, depending on size. Three bundles of diapers are typically sent with a child.
Rogers remembers the day a pregnant woman arrived at the MOM House after walking all the way from a bus stop. In that gesture she saw just how deep a need can be. Knowing that has kept her volunteering there for years.
“I know it’s for a good cause,” she said. “It’s fulfilling.”
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The MOM House south of Heather Hills Baptist Church is open from 9 to 11 a.m. Mondays and Saturdays and from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Tuesdays. The church pays for house maintenance and diapers, and the clothes (sizes newborn through 6x), blankets, hats and other items are donated. Donations can be dropped off during the house’s open hours. New volunteers comfortable in serving in a Christian ministry setting are welcome to step forward, Coleman said. The house is located at 1325 N. German Church Road, and the phone number is 317-891-2130.
Information: http://www.heatherhills.org/ministries_outreach_momhouse.php
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