This maternity home was my saving grace! I stopped working during my pregnancy and I found myself struggling to make ends meet. The program is welcoming and the staff supported my goals and dreams. On the day I moved in, I had nothing for my child and I was scared about how I would measure up as a mom. They connected me with resources in the community to help me acquire what I need. They introduced me to an incredible counselor who made me feel understood and helped me rebuild my self esteem. They addressed my fears by helping me rebuild my spiritual foundation and they paid for parenting classes. Toward the end of my pregnancy, the staff was comforting and they kindly guided me through that new experience. After my son was born, staff was always willing to offer tips and they helped me learn how to establish balance between taking care of myself and doing the best I can for my child. The women who work at VM set an amazing example, they are people that I look up to and they are great teachers. Thanks to Villa Majella I am moving forward and I can proudly say that I am a great mama today. This organization is an integral part of the Santa Barbara community and I cant thank them enough for all of their kindness. The staff there want to help as many women as possible no matter what background they come from. If they have a history of domestic violence, this home will help them feel safe. If they have a history of substance abuse, this home will help them on the path to recovery. Its been an immense privilege to be a resident in their program. I would urge any woman who is carrying a child and needs housing to reach out to Villa Majella- when I came there, I was simply seeking a haven but I recieved so much more than that. I was surrounded by good-hearted women who believe in me. They turned my difficult situation into a remarkable series of memories.