Resources for Mothers in Need
Adoption Resources
New Life Adoptions
Christian organization offering information and assistance in working with mothers and families to facilitate open or closed adoptions. They are located in Tomball.
Counseling Resources
Many counseling services are available throughout the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston. We strive to provide the most up to date provider information possible. Because provider office locations may change frequently, and because new providers are regularly coming online, please contact the Office of Pro-Life Activities directly to receive the most current information on mental health providers in your area. Contact us at 713. 741.8728 or email jdumalet@archgh.org.
Diapers
Domestic Violence Resources
Fort Bend County Women's Center
Houston Area Women's Center
Domestic Violence Hotline 713.528.2121
Montgomery County Women's Center
Galveston Resources and Crisis Center
Women's Center of Brazoria County
Crisis Line 1.800.451.9235
Matagorda County Women's Crisis Center
The Bridge Over Troubled Waters
Education & Job Training Resources
High School Equivalency Exams
English as Second Language (ESL and Adult Basic Education (ABE) Classes
Christus Foundation
Learning Center offers adult ESL, ABE, and GED classes.
Goodwill Industries
Job training, certification programs and placement assistance
Workforce Solutions
Assists individuals with job search, training and practical skills (e.g. writing resumes, job interviews)
West Houston Assistance Ministries (WHAM)
Assists individuals in resume building, job coaching, and job searching.
Food & Clothing Resources
St. Vincent de Paul Society
Offers food, clothing, and limited monetary assistance. To locate a St. Vincent de Paul Conference at a parish nearest you, please call the Office of Pro-Life Activities 713.440.3443.
St. Vincent de Paul Resale Shops
Offers clothes and household items at reduced prices
Christus Our Daily Bread
Provides meals, clothing and counseling for the homeless suffering from mental illness and chemical addictions
L.I.F.E. Houston
Provides emergency infant formula and support services.
West Houston Assistance Ministries (WHAM)
Offers food assistance by drive-thru and walkup distribution and provides financial assistance. They also have a resale shop open to the public.
Healthcare Resources
Medicaid
Pregnant women and their children in Texas are eligible for Medicaid health care services if they fall below a certain income limit
CHIP
Low cost or free health coverage for children without insurance
San Jose Clinic
Provides a variety of services for individuals living below the poverty line, including pediatrics, immunizations, dental care, special care and diagnostic imaging services
Harris Health System
Harris Health offers a variety of healthcare services including prenatal care. While care is not free, financial assistance is available for those who qualify.
Christus Foundation
Provides healthcare services to uninsured and underserved individuals.
Housing Resources
Magnificat Houses *
Emergency overnight shelter for women, community women's residence
The Bridge over Troubled Waters
Emergency shelter and transitional housing for women and children victims of domestic violence
Santa Maria Hostel *
Residential program for women in need of substance abuse treatment, they accept pregnant or postpartum mothers
Casa Juan Diego *
Serves immigrants and refugees, shelter for women and children
Angela House *
Transitional housing for women released from incarceration
Wellsprings Village *
Transitional residence for homeless and/or abused women ages 25-50 who are capable of full-time employment
Covenant House
Housing for pregnant women ages 18-24 and their children (up to 5 yrs old)
Star of Hope
Transitional living for pregnant women or women with children. Assists with substance abuse treatment, education and living skills
Life House
Residential facility for pregnant teens and young women
Gracewood
Residential and counseling program for single mothers and their children
Northwest Assistance Ministries
Permanent Supportive Housing programs for individuals and families experiencing homelessness. They also have a rent and mortgage assistance program.
*Catholic Group
Legal Services & Immigration Resources
Legal Advocacy Project
Assistance with domestic violence or family law issues for Harris County residents
Harris County DA's Office-Family Criminal Law Division
Assists with filing Protective Orders for victims of domestic violence and crisis intervention counseling for domestic violence victims
Houston Volunteer Lawyers
Assists eligible, low income Harris County residents with family law issues
Catholic Charities Immigrant Legal Assistance
Assists with immigration legal services with citizenship application assistance and also helps government-approved refugees become self-sufficient through essential skills
YMCA International Services
Assists immigrant women interested in applying for residency and human trafficking victims
Reporting Suspected Abuse, Neglect or Human Trafficking
Gabriel Project volunteers may come into contact with minors they suspect are being physically, sexually or otherwise abused or with persons of any age who may be victims of human trafficking. Determining when it is necessary to report suspected abuse can be difficult. Other members of your Gabriel team, your pastor and/or the Office of Pro-Life Activities can be good resources in evaluating when a report should be made. Generally, it is better to err on the side of reporting suspected abuse to the authorities. If you suspect the victim is in immediate danger, do not attempt to engage the potential abuser. Instead, contact 911.
Reporting Suspected Physical and Sexual Abuse of a Minor
In cases physical abuse of a minor (the mother or her children) is suspected, reports can be made via telephone or online. To submit a report online, you will need to create an account with the Texas Department of Family & Protective Services
Under Texas law, if you receive a report that a minor has been sexually abused (even if the victim is no longer a minor when you receive the report), you are legally obligated to report the abuse allegation to the authorities. If you do not receive a verbal report but have suspicions, you may file a report.
Texas Abuse Hotline: 1.800.252.5400
Texas Abuse Hotline website: https://www.txabusehotline.org/Login
Reporting Human Trafficking
Human trafficking can take many forms, most often sex or labor trafficking. In 2021, Gabriel teams worked with several victims of suspected labor trafficking. Recent immigrants are often trafficking targets as are teenagers, who often meet their traffickers online.
The Houston Police Department has a Human Trafficking Task Force that will immediately investigate reports of trafficking and make efforts to remove the victim from the situation. If your parish is not covered by HPD, we recommend contacting your local law enforcement agency to obtain information about reporting suspected human trafficking in your area. Other resources include:
FBI Houston Field Office 713.693.5000
Harris County District Attorney 713.274.5800
Houston Police Department Vice Division 713.308.8600 or 911
Social Services
WIC Benefits (Women, Infant and Children)
Provides nutrition education, access to foods and breastfeeding support and (at some locations) vouchers for fruits and vegetables at farmers' markets
SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program)
Provides food subsidies for eligible individuals
Harris County Community Service Department
Monetary assistance for rent and utilities
West Houston Assistance Ministries (WHAM)
Provides financial assistance, food assistance, employment and education services.
Northwest Houston Assistance Ministries (NAM)
Provides assistance in areas including food, shelter, health, education, safety and financial education.
St. Vincent de Paul Society
The St. Vincent de Paul Society offers a variety of resources including food, clothing and limited monetary assistance.
Call the Office of Pro-Life Activities 713.440.3443 to locate a parish near you with a St. Vincent de Paul chapter.
Substance Abuse Resources
The Council on Recovery
713.942.4100
The Houston-based Council on Recovery offers outpatient treatment and counseling for individuals (including minors) needing assistance with drug or alcohol addiction. The Council can assist uninsured individuals with treatment costs through its state funding programs.
The Right Step
844.487.8694
The Right Step offers inpatient treatment and follow-up care for individuals needing drug rehab and detox services. The Right Step accepts payment through Medicaid.
Alcoholics Anonymous
713.686.6300
Alcoholics Anonymous is a 12-step program offering support through group meetings and individual sponsorship. Support groups throughout the Houston area can be found on their website.
Narcotics Anonymous
713.661.4200, 888.600.6229 (en español)
Houston Area Service Committee of Narcotics Anonymous offers support and group meetings for individuals seeking to recover from drug abuse and addiction. Support groups in and around Houston can be found through the website.
Al-Anon/Alateen Programs
713.683.7227
Al-Anon and Alateen offer group support for individuals affected by alcohol abuse of a friend or family member. Alateen is specifically for affected teenagers. Find your nearest group on the Houston Al-Anon website.
Nar-Anon Family Groups
Nar-Anon offers support for those affected by a friend or family member’s drug abuse. Local meetings in the Houston area and group leader contact information can be found on their website.
Suicide Prevention Resources
Harris Center/Mobile Crisis Outreach Team
713.970.7000 (press #1 for the Crisis line)
Suicide Prevention Lifeline
1.800.273.TALK
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is a nationwide (within the United States) suicide prevention network providing 24/7 service which is accessed by dialing 9-8-8. It is available to individuals contemplating suicide or in emotional distress.
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