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MARYWOOD AND LIFELINE
PARTNER TO SERVE PREGNANT WOMEN IN AUSTIN
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On April 1, 2005, Marywood
Children & Family Services and Lifeline
merged to begin a joint initiative
designed to serve pregnant and parenting
women in the Austin
community.
"Our agencies are well known for
quality services that support pregnant women,"
said Jean Henry, Executive Director of Marywood.
"By joining forces, our two agencies can enhance
outreach capacity, competency and experience,
thus expanding the range of options for women
who are pregnant."
Jean Henry and Teresa Ware,
Lifeline Executive Director since
1977. |
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"Lifeline at Marywood" provides free
services to women of all ages, race, ethnicity, color or
creed. Services offered combine the programs of Marywood,
including shelter and support to children, pregnancy
counseling, adoption, transitional living and foster care
services, and those provided by Lifeline, which include case
management, advocacy, and educational materials.
The primary beneficiaries of the new program are
women whose pregnancy is considered "high-risk" due to factors
such as poverty, homelessness, limited education, and
substance abuse. Program case managers utilize community
resources and an extensive educational, bilingual library to
assist women in prenatal care and childbirth, parenting, child
development, and relationship skills.
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Both Marywood and Lifeline have
long-standing reputations in the community for services
to pregnant and parenting women. Marywood has over
84 years of service working with children and families
in Texas, while Lifeline has provided services to more
than 7,000 clients since its formation in 1977.
Photo
right: Lifeline's first
home, a cottage in Marywood's backyard, year
1977. |
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