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OUR MISSION
Viola’s House mission is to provide maternity housing and support services to mothers who are faced with an unplanned pregnancy.
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ABOUT US
Formed in 2008 as a “Maternity Home” to provide temporary housing and support services to expectant teenage mothers aged 18-24 in the Dallas area who are homeless, at risk of homelessness, or lack a safe living arrangement. Our two primary programmatic goals are to help young individuals establish self-sufficient, sustainable living for themselves and their children, and to transition them into adulthood with essential skills in parenting, child development, family budgeting, health, and nutrition.
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Grounded in a trauma-informed approach, VH staff employ prosocial, encouraging, and motivational communication to create a safe and supportive environment. Our comprehensive services include the 'Earn While You Learn' program, where participants earn "Baby Bucks" redeemable at our Baby Benefit Boutique (BBB) for attending parenting classes. Additionally, VH provides case management, enrollment assistance for public benefits, and job readiness programs. Through our Generations program, participants and their children receive coordinated medical care, ensuring holistic support. Our ultimate aim is to equip young mothers with the knowledge, skills, and resources needed for successful, independent living.
Target Population
Viola’s House serves parents of all ages, with a primary focus on teenage and young adult women facing the challenges of unstable housing during pregnancy or early motherhood. In 2021, more than 2,200 of the 35,000 babies born in Dallas County were born to teen girls (ACS). Teen pregnancy is more prevalent in Dallas County, which has a birth rate that is double both the state average and the national average, with 25-40 births for every 1,000 girls (CDC, 2021). Due to the widespread lack of prenatal care for pregnant teens, infants born to teenage mothers exhibit elevated rates of adverse outcomes — including infant and neonatal mortality, preterm birth, low birth weight and maternal complications — compared to infants born to women age 20 and over (CDC, 2020).
Risk and Protective Factors
Several risk factors are identified within this population. Poverty, abuse, developmental and health issues are few of the risk factors. In addition, the costs to taxpayers is estimated at 1.1 billion in 2010. These costs are associated with additional community risk factors experienced by youth and their children, that will follow them into their adult lives and most likely have negative generational consequences. The National Campaign (2014) postulates that costs can include public health care, participation with child welfare, pipeline to incarceration and decreased earning and spending futures.
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Viola’s House seeks to address these risk factors by providing emergency housing and supporting programs to expectant mothers. Each level of programming seeks to build capacity, skills and abilities to expectant mothers in which to pass along to their future children.
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Viola’s House has served dozens of unwed mothers since its inception.
Who We Are
We Don't Judge.
We understand your plight and do not judge. We have the programs, services and professionals to get you ready for motherhood
We Support You.
Don’t put the brakes on your dreams. Your success is our success. If you dare to dream it, we’ll help you achieve it.
We Embrace Motherhood.
On-site parenting classes help you learn about life as a mother. Get tips and guidance on everything from nutrition to caring for your baby.