About
FANA:
The Hogar Marguerite
d’Youville
Mercedes has always wanted to provide
support and comfort to distressed mothers. In 1979, she
founded the Marguerite
d’Youville home,
and thereby satisfied her yearning to assist young mothers in need.
The name of this home recalls the presence of the Grey Sisters of Charity
at the heart of FANA for it evokes the memory of their foundress, the
blessed Marguerite d’Youville who consecrated her life to
young mothers in need. The
Marguerite d’Youville home welcomes young women in troubled
pregnancies. Approximately 70% of these very young women between the
ages of 14 and 28 are originally from Bogotá. Without
any professional training, and frequently even without official
identity cards, they
arrive at the home after having been counseled by a friend,
by Bienestar, or after having heard about this miraculous place
in the media. This
address is often the only lifesaver for these young women. Desperate,
rejected by their families or unwilling to advise their families
of their situation, these young women no longer know where to
turn. Once admitted
into the home, these young women will find a regular rhythm
to their life. Classes
are taught
at the Hogar.
These young
women will follow courses to learn not only to read and write,
but also to
cook and sew. As for the daily routine, each of them will take
turns to be responsible for the cooking of nutritious meals and
the cleaning.
Once again, these young women will be guided and helped by a leader
who supervises the overall functioning of the house and by a social
worker. On-going prenatal care is given, while plans for their
child’s
future are discussed in small group and personal settings. A
stay at the Hogar Marguerite d’Youville
is non-contingent upon placing a child for adoption through FANA.
For general information,
contact Friends of FANA, Minnesota: info@friendsoffanaminnesota.org
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