11/16/2009
By GARY DEMUTH Salina Journal
In 2003, Ashby House executive director Bryan Anderson and program director Kathy Allen attended the funerals of four women.

The women once had been clients of Ashby House, 153 S. Eighth, a recovery shelter for women and their children. Three of the women had left behind small children to be raised by family members.

"They either committed suicide or overdosed on drugs," Allen said. "Very early on, we realized the lack of help there is for pregnant and homeless women and women who are substance abusers."

Allen, a mother herself, never wanted to attend another funeral of a desperate mother.

By the end of the year, Allen and Anderson hope to see the completion of a longtime dream. A house purchased at 206 W. Walnut, across the street from Ashby House, is being renovated into a residential facility for homeless pregnant women, some of whom also may be substance abusers.

Named Legacy House, the historic home (built around 1910) turned apartment house is now being converted into a three bedroom facility that can house up to six homeless pregnant women.

"They'll be able to come to us at any stage of their pregnancy and can stay about 60 days post partum," Allen said. "Between then, we'll be here to give them everything they need to have a healthy baby."

Lots of volunteers

The renovation has been about a year-and-a-half process, Anderson said, with most of the work being done by volunteers.

"We're to the point we've sheetrocked inside, and volunteers are painting, doing window treatment and furnishings," he said. "It's taken a long time. When we bought the house, it was a wreck."

The house was purchased three years ago and was in such bad shape that Anderson initially wondered whether it was worth it.

"It ordinarily wouldn't have been a house we'd look at, but because of its proximity to Ashby House, we could see its potential," he said.

Volunteer work is being done by members of several Salina churches, Anderson said, as well as Heartland Programs and a volunteer group from Brookville.

Although services previously have been provided for homeless pregnant women at Ashby House, Legacy House will be able to focus specifically on prenatal care and parenting classes, as well as supply feeding supplies, cribs, diapers and other tools and services to help the women reintegrate with society, be good mothers and raise happy, healthy babies, Allen said.

"We've had pregnant girls at Ashby House who've had no prenatal care at all," she said.

Pregnant women will receive prenatal care from Dr. Merle "Boo" Hodges at Hodges Women's Clinic, 135 E. Claflin. Legacy House also will partner with the Salina/Saline County Health Department, Heartland Programs and Head Start to provide needed services, Allen said.

Anderson said many of the pregnant women they run across who are substance abusers are hooked on methamphetamine.

"They have easy access to it, it's relatively cheap, and there's a quick high associated with it," he said. "It's also very deadly and can affect their baby."

"We've seen women miscarry over substance abuse," Allen said.

Most of the homeless, pregnant or substance abusing women Allen has encountered are younger than 22 years of age, and many are victims either of domestic abuse or rape.

"It starts with childhood abuse, and they end up homeless and turn to drugs," she said.

Legacy House will be staffed 24 hours a day and will have four counselors and four case managers available for residents.

If a woman is a substance abuser, Allen said, "we'll now be able to offer substance abuse services on-site."

Allen also would like to see area women volunteer to be "mama mentors." These "mamas" would be available to talk to residents and give them advice on being a mom.

"If these (residents) feel someone genuinely cares about them, they'll have more of a chance to succeed," she said. "At Legacy House, a woman may come in with no hope, but she'll leave with everything she needs for her and her baby, so she can live life the way she wants."

nReporter Gary Demuth can be reached at 822-1405 or by e-mail at gdemuth@salina.com.

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