INDEPENDENCE, Mo. — A safe haven for pregnant teens and homeless young mothers is looking for help in finding a new home after a fire destroyed its old home.
Mother’s Refuge in Independence, which had beds for eight teens and cribs for four babies, was destroyed by a fire on Monday. Investigators have yet to determine the cause of the blaze, but for one pregnant teen time who lost her home in the fire, time is starting to run out.
Priscilla, 18, had been staying at the shelter at the time of the fire. She says that a charitable group has set her up in a cottage on an area farm, but that is only available until the end of November, and she says that she knows the burned-out shelter won’t be rebuilt by then.
“It’s very important,” said Priscilla. “There’s lots more girls out there that probably need the same type of help that we need. It’s not just about housing, it’s about education, it’s about us learning how to become better mothers.”
Mother’s Refuge executive director Robert Zornes says that finding a building with as much space as their previous home is proving to be a challenge.
“We are looking right now for a place where we will be able to house our girls and continue the programs of Mothers Refuge until we are able rebuild at this location,” said Zornes, who says that it will be at least six months until a new home can be built on the location of the destroyed home.
He says that Mother’s Refuge has already received a $500 donation from inmates at the Missouri Women’s Penitentary in Chillicothe.
“This is a tragedy and trial but hopefully Mothers Refuge will come out of it stronger and we’ll be able to help more girls than ever,” said Zormes.