CHANGING LIVES

Love Is Shelter: How Seton House Provides Families With A Path Forward

Posted by Maryvale on Feb 10, 2025 10:30:00 AM

Seton House represents hope, resilience, and the power of community. Consider the story of Maria, a single mother who found herself homeless with two young children. With nowhere else to turn, she discovered Seton House—a place where she received a safe place to stay, mental health support, and the life skills she needed to rebuild her life. Today, Maria is employed, her children are thriving in school, and they live in stable housing.

Empowering Women and Families Through Comprehensive Support

Seton House provides safe, temporary housing for single women and their children, along with critical wraparound services designed to support long-term success. These services include:

• Trauma-informed care to address past challenges.
• Mental health resources to foster emotional resilience.
• Educational and financial tools to build self-sufficiency.

This blog explores the history, advantages, and profound impact of Seton House, highlighting how it equips women and children with the tools to rebuild their lives.

The History and Inspiration Behind Seton House

Seton House is inspired by the legacy of Elizabeth Ann Bayley Seton, the first American-born saint. As a wife, mother, widow, and educator, Elizabeth founded the Sisters of Charity in 1812 driven by her compassion to serve families in need.

This spirit of service continues today through Maryvale’s programs, including:
Early Childhood Education
Temporary Housing
Mental Health and Substance Use Support 

These programs ensure families in crisis receive the care and resources needed to build a brighter future.

Program Advantages: Building a Foundation for Stability

At Seton House, women and children are provided with services that meet their unique needs. The program offers:

Parenting and Life Skills Training: Empowering women to strengthen family bonds and overcome challenges.
Comprehensive Mental Health Support: Trauma-informed therapy and counseling sessions build emotional resilience.
Safe and Secure Housing: A stable environment where women and children can heal and grow.
Access to Early Education and After-School Programs: Ensuring children receive support for academic and social success.
Educational Tools: Helping women pursue higher education or certifications to improve career prospects.
Financial Management Training: Teaching women how to manage finances and plan for long-term stability.

These services provide families with more than just temporary shelter—they build pathways to independence and empowerment.

Program Objectives: A Vision for Lasting Change

The work at Seton House is guided by clear, impactful objectives:

  • Equip women with skills for permanent housing
  • Decrease rates of physical and sexual violence against women.
  • Lower homelessness recurrence.

Impact: Transforming Lives Through Behavioral Health and Trauma-Informed Care

Between July 1, 2023, and June 30, 2024, Seton House made a significant difference in the lives of 26 mothers and 36 children. During this period, the program achieved the following:

74% of women transitioned to stable housing.
55% of women found employment.
52% pursued further education.
100% participated in Maryvale’s wraparound services.

Seton House provides more than just a roof over families’ heads—it offers a foundation for lasting stability and success.

The Role of Mental Health Support

Mental health support is a cornerstone of Seton House. Each woman participates in weekly group therapy and individual counseling sessions led by licensed clinical professionals. These services, grounded in cognitive behavioral treatment and trauma-informed care, help women process past trauma, build emotional resilience, and develop coping strategies. Women affected by domestic violence or substance abuse also receive specialized support, empowering them to regain emotional strength and independence.

Building Life Skills for a Brighter Future

Seton House equips women with essential life skills to achieve long-term stability, including:

  • Parenting classes to strengthen family bonds.
  • Education support to help women pursue degrees or certifications.
  • Employment assistance to secure sustainable jobs.

Women work closely with case managers to set and achieve goals, such as transitioning to permanent housing or enrolling in intensive outpatient programs. The program’s success is evident, with more than half of the participants securing employment or continuing their education during their stay.

The Expansion of Seton House

In October 2024, the Rosemead City Council approved an expansion plan to add 20 new living units to Seton House, increasing the total to 29 units. This expansion reflects the collaborative efforts of Maryvale, the City of Rosemead, and generous donors, showcasing the community’s commitment to providing safe, stable housing for women and children.

Why Your Support Matters

Seton House is entirely funded by private donations and foundation grants. Every contribution directly supports vital services like housing, counseling, and life skills training.

Your support can:

  • Help women transition from homelessness to stability.
  • Provide children a chance to grow in a safe, nurturing environment.

Make a difference today. Visit Maryvale’s donation page to support this vital work.

How to Get Involved

Support Seton House and its mission by:

Donating: Every dollar goes toward housing, counseling, and support services.
Spread Awareness: Share Seton House’s mission with your network to inspire others to help

Seton House proves that love is shelter. By offering safety, support, and community, it empowers women to build brighter futures for themselves and their children. Through Maryvale’s programs, families find hope, stability, and a chance to thrive.

Join us today in transforming lives. Your support makes a difference.

 

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