Mom Stories

As an alumna mom, I am grateful for the unwavering support and guidance that Zelie's Home has provided for me and my three children. Even after transitioning out of their program, Zelie's Home has continued to be a pillar of strength in our lives. From helping us with household needs, clothing, and events to offering ongoing emotional support, Zelie's Home has been there every step of the way.

Their commitment to empowering and equipping families with the tools they need to thrive is truly commendable. Through their various programs and resources, they have not only helped me navigate the challenges of parenting but also encouraged personal growth and development.

Zelie's Home has created a strong network of support, connecting me with other alumna moms who share similar experiences. This sense of community has been invaluable, providing a safe space for us to share our stories, learn from one another, and offer encouragement.

I am forever grateful for the impact Zelie's Home has had on my family's life. Their dedication and commitment to helping families like mine have made a lasting difference, and I am proud to be an alumna mom of such an incredible organization.

—Paelar

Precious, an alumnae mom bravely shares her experience to her introduction into Zelie’s Home and the impact of her growth during her time with Zelie’s Home!

Where it started... well, kind of... it started wayyy before this... but THIS... this is where our NEW lives began...

It was called Maggie's Place, also known as The Zechariah House. The wonderful people here scooped me up when I was pregnant and staying at another shelter downtown.

I was going through so many emotions. Scared. Hurt. Angry... But also relieved and positive that I was somewhere that welcomed me in, despite the past life I'd lived. In fact, the house held a dozen women and their babies after they're born, for up to six months.

There were rules to abide by, chores assigned to us, schedules to be followed, classes to attend, and even church was brought back into my life.

I tried being my stubborn, hardheaded self in the beginning. I was pretty rude and, told after the fact, a lot of the time intimidating to the staff and some moms there. I was hurting. I had so many thoughts, worries, and fears every day about how I was going to now survive not only for me, but for a child I was now going to be responsible for.

Eventually, after some time, I began opening up to the other girls in the house and realized that we were all going through the same thoughts... worries... fears...

We'd all come from different pasts... some worse than others... but all with our own struggles. And essentially, our goals were all the same... in the same direction. We had learned how to coordinate, live together, and turn our shelter "house" into our home.

It wasn't hard to abide by things that were asked anymore. It wasn't dreadful to go back when it was time. It wasn't depressing when things that needed to be done were. I was in this home for about a year in total. My son was born while I lived there. I was there until he was about 6 months old. In this time, they helped me start college, acquire daycare, get back into the workforce, and even with other resources for counseling and extra stuff. They even helped me start to become the person I was meant to really be. Not the drug addict, disappointment that I'd become prior to getting pregnant.

We ended our time at Maggie's place with a candlelight ceremony, placing our leaf on the tree, and a prayer bestowed upon us by the pastor. So many people came. Volunteers, staff, friends, family... all people at the time I thought may never forgive me for who I'd become... but they saw who I wanted to be, and they supported me.

I have been in my current home since the time I left there, a little over 10 years ago. Joshua and I moved into our house right before Christmas, the year he was born, 2013.

We were sent off with many blessings, some vouchers for furniture, clothing, a gift basket for my new baby, and the hope that everything was going to be okay.

I've been very lucky to continue to have these wonderful people in my life today. An organization that helps moms like me, their children, and families, to continue living after life at the home. Except today, this place is now called Zelies Home. I am now what they call an alumni mom. I've had many trials and tribulations since my time there, and they're still there to help us, no matter what. They want us to succeed. They want mothers with their children. They want to help you stay off drugs or alcohol, get an education and career, stay positive and focused, and renew your faith in a higher power.

I've had many times that I should not have made it to see the next day... and one thing I can definitely say is, God has always had my back. Some way... somehow... I've always been given the blessing of seeing a brighter tomorrow. Regardless if I wanted to at first or not.

There are still some days where I feel I'm at my lowest... and think that I can't go on. Or maybe just don't want to anymore... I've been tired... more times than one in my life... But still, there are people giving me hope to this day. They stay by my side... offering me the thought of a brighter tomorrow. The hope. If it wasn't for this place, this organization, these people that work for and volunteer for them, the other moms who struggled, cried, laughed, and loved all along with me and my son... I would not have that hope.

There are genuinely GOOD people in this world. Ones that don't ask for things in return or expect a payback. They don't tally up how many times you did something for them so they don't go over the amount of times they help you... they want to make sure you're okay. They want to make sure, even after a decade of not living under their roof, you have everything you need. They want to make sure you have somewhere to go and people to be with on every holiday occasion. They want to make sure you've eaten today, and if you have enough where you stay. They want to give you a coat and boots when it's cold, and some shorts and flip flops when it's nice out... They want to make sure every child that's come through their doors has birthday and holiday gifts. They want to make sure you're okay.

Those... those are my kind of people. That's the kind of person I have been striving to be more like. The kind I was meant to be. Just because things are hard right now doesn't mean they will always be... there's only a rainbow after it rains... and it can't rain forever... the darkest times are always going to come right before the brightest of the tomorrows... as long as you have the right people on your team supporting you, and believing in you, and cheering you on... you're gonna make it. Positivity... persistence... and prayer... they go a long way. Thank you, Zelies Home. Thank you, Erin... Leanna... Jasmine... Tina... Judi... Bailey... Lydia... Jessica... Jocylen (and her mom)... Christine... Patrick (and wife and mother) and so many more who've worked for and volunteered at the home and played a part in what began paving the way to our brighter tomorrow. Thank you for never giving up or turning your backs. Thank you for the judgment-free way of handling things and for the love you continuously share. And thank you to the moms... past and present. For from each one of you, I have learned something new and been softened up a lot towards other women because I've shared such close quarters with ones I've never met before, and then somehow we became one big, weird, broken, meshed-up family. For that, I'm grateful. For lasting friendships and the ability to watch our kids grow up as we grow older. And for the strength and power we gained from one another, by sharing stories of pain, deceit, abandonment, neglect, hurt... but also by sharing the ways to help the next mom with hope, grace, faith, patience, and love. Everyone deserves to be seen for who they really are and are meant to be... And Maggie's Place (Zelies Home) has and continues doing that for me.

—Hannah

Zelie’s Home helped me a lot. They gave me a rent free place for me and my baby to stay. Zelie's Home was always clean with a lot of food, resources, help, counseling etc. Zelie’s Home made sure that Autumn was good, and they allowed me to work the night shift. I left Zelie’s Home a couple months ago and they still invite me to their programs and provide me and Autumn with things we need. They’re like family. I’m very thankful for Zelie’s Home because I healed there and learned new things so I could be better and better for Autumn. They gave me classes so when I left Zelie’s Home I would be prepared.

—Nikayla

Zelie’s Home provided me with a stable, nurturing and safe environment for Jubilee after she was born. I was already homeless when I got pregnant with Jubilee. Zelies Home has helped give me motivation to care for my child. I've been encouraged to be my own type of parent. I met some amazing, strong independent women/mom's at Zelies Home (to whom I still keep in touch with 2 years after leaving). Zelie’s Home staff encouraged me to embrace my circumstances, the good the bad and the ugly. While I lived at Zelie’s Home, I endured a trauma. Staff and the other moms were a GODsend. They were amazing and supportive. But it transformed me into something beautiful. While I lived in Zelie’s Home I started on my educational journey. I now have my STNA License. I'm enrolled at Lakeland Community College. My major is Chemical Engineering. And because of the motivation and encouragement from Zelie’s Home staff and mom's (and the babies of course) I can't stop, I won't stop. I feel like while at Zelie’s Home I questioned myself a lot. And I was given a lot of reassurance without complaints. Now I continue to strive for excellence as a parent and as a human being.

—Angie

The mission of Zelie’s Home is engrained in my journey of motherhood. It is impossible for me to talk about my experience without including the blessings that were bestowed upon me while residing there. For my daughter, referencing Zelie’s Home alumnae events is equivalent to attending a family Sunday dinner or a cousin’s birthday party. The sense of community that exists at Zelie’s Home is a contagious necessity that blurs the lines of not only the perceptions of what shelter life is like but also creates a bond between donors, volunteers, staff, moms, babies, and alumnae to build life-long relationships the defy the meaning of what a family truly is.

—Malikha

When I moved into the Z House, I was excited and happy to be able to meet so many great people. Everyone accepted me and wanted to help me, without passing judgment. It meant so much to me. I learned a lot and had so much fun, too.

— Alqwiesha

I loved 💕 the Z house! It was nothing but love and open arms. I especially loved our Monday community night dinners. The staff and other moms were there to help me through every difficult thing I went through. I love the Z House and would choose it again if I had to. I had so many happy fun filled days there with the girls.

— Jacarra

I was staying at a different shelter in Cleveland, scared and alone. On top of that, I was being bullied by the women I shared my room with. I got the call that I was accepted into the Z House and was super excited. Then reality set in, and I remember being very scared and nervous of being judged before moving in. I was a pregnant single woman who wasn't fully divorced but dating someone other than her ex-husband and father of her baby. I was already labeled the ‘scandal girl’ (that’s one of the nicer labels I was being called). When I pulled into the parking lot, I was so nervous and really didn't want to move into another shelter. Upon walking in I was welcomed by not just the core members but also the other moms in the house. They all had questions and loved my baby bump. I wasn't expecting so much love and acceptance but once I adjusted from the shock I loved it. I soon realized we were all starting from the ground up and we were all in the same spot. I was only at the Z House for 6 months but during those 6 months, I learned how damaged I was from physical and emotional abuse, neglect and so much more. I learned how to love and accept others no matter what because, even though we were all different, we were all there for the same reasons: to heal and learn to love ourselves again. The love, care and treatment I received there has lasted me a lifetime. The Z House was my first home with my son Noah, it's where we learned to bond as mother and son. It was where I learned that I am strong. It’s where I learned who I was as a mother, a woman and a person. I can't thank the Z House enough for everything they taught and gave me.

— Rachael

I was nervous and excited at the same time but I have never felt so at home. I fell in love with all the corp, volunteers and fellow moms. I had so much support and love; I grew so much as a person while I was there. Everyone treated my son like their own. I love the Z House and I recommend it to every young mother in need that I meet.

— Jacki

Moving into the Z House, I felt very awkward and nervous. It was very challenging in the beginning. Over time, I felt loved and supported ❤. Once I had my daughter, Arianna I felt motivated and strong!

— Elizabeth

I was nervous at first because I had never lived in something like the Z House. I thought it was going to be like a shelter but it was just the opposite. My time living there was wonderful. We all became friends very quickly. Another mom, Angel and I would be in the kitchen making slushies and the babies would be keeping us up because of all the sugar in those slushies lol. Overall, I would definitely recommend the Z House to anyone who is pregnant, with no one to help them and with no place to live.

— Kelsey

My time at the Z House was great. The staff was wonderful; very passionate, and they helped me a whole lot. As an alumnae mom, they are still helping me. I'm so grateful to have them in me and my kid's lives.

— Tabatha

Well it was definitely a difficult transition for me. I was in school all day and had to come back to get my chores done by a certain time or attend an event right away, so I barely had time for myself. I wasn't allowed to keep my car on the lot because I couldn't afford car insurance at the time. So I had to park my car down the street and risk getting ticketed. My anxiety was high because of that, so I ended up leaving my car with someone and had to catch the bus for school which in turn, gave me even less time than I already had (basically no time for myself). I made friends with a few of the other moms, and they kept me content for the most part. I didn't get to meet many of the volunteers since I was always gone. My best experiences began a few years later as an alumnae mom because by then I was away from my abuser and finally on my own. I like that I was able to make friends with some of the other moms when I visited, and even encountered an old friend of mine, Hanna. Being on my own after all those years (with the Z House by my side) opened the door to new friendship and great people. It's really nice to catch up with everyone when we do have a chance to see each other again. Outside of the Z House, I don't have many friends or family encounters. It's nice to know I have an extended family there. The support from staff and volunteers is out of this world, and I'm so glad they were and are still there. They are all so wonderful and welcoming, and I really love the warmth I feel when I'm around them. ❤❤❤

— Siobhan