Gianna House's Story
Our Story, just like so many others, center around two brilliant and motivated women. Gianna Barretta Molla was an established physician, wife, mother, and a true female innovator, way ahead of her time. She was born in 1922 and lived in Milan, Italy. In 1961, Gianna found out she was pregnant. Sadly, Gianna's doctors discovered a large fibroma on her uterus and they recommended a hysterectomy. Knowing that this would result in the death of her child, Gianna chose to just have the growth removed, preserving her child’s life.
Complications followed throughout the pregnancy. Gianna knew her delivery would be difficult, so she pleaded with her family and doctors, “If you must decide between me and the child, do not hesitate, choose the child.” The baby, Gianna Emanuela was successfully delivered, and Gianna died of septic peritonitis seven days later. When Gianna’s family was asked about their mother’s decision, her daughter, Laura Molla answered, “My mother did not choose death”, but “at that moment she chose life for her child.”
The story continues nearly 50 years later in Detroit, Michigan. Sister Diane Masson was charged with the mission of creating a safe place for young pregnant women while continuing the legacy of Gianna Baretta Molla. Sr. Diane saw that young, at-risk women, needed help and lacked the resources to give their children loving homes. That was when the idea of Gianna House was born. Sr. Diane started plans to create a haven for women, a haven that provided support, love, safety, resources, education, and hope.
Our Message to Donors
YOU can make a difference by donating today to Gianna House Foundation (Gianna House Pregnancy and Parenting Residence).
The mission of Gianna House is to provide a safe and loving residence for young, pregnant, at-risk, and underserved women and their newborn infants. We are committed to providing spiritual, educational, medical, and parenting support and resources to mothers of all ages in our community.
At Gianna House, our goal is to give young pregnant women and their babies a 'hand up' instead of a hand-out and HOPE. We strive to accomplish this through donors like YOU, who help us to change the future of our moms and babies by completing their education, learning critical life and parenting skills, and working towards becoming self-sufficient. Our work is especially important in the area that we serve, the rate of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) is disproportionately high, and we want to change that through access to education, and breaking down barriers to safe, affordable housing, and health care for our young moms.
Gianna House takes its responsibilities to donors and the ethical use of donor dollars seriously. Our fundraising budgets are developed in a thoughtful and practical manner in order to maximize positive and ongoing impact on our programs.
We consider our donors as our partners and work to maintain enduring relationships with each donor. Our goal is to match your wishes for impacting mothers, children and our communities with the appropriate services and programs at Gianna House. We focus on families at Gianna House and we welcome donors and community partners interested in getting involved in changing and supporting the futures of underserved young women and their babies!
What We Do And How We Are Looking To Expand Our Impact
At Gianna House, we have a residential program and a community outreach program. The residential program offers a home to young pregnant women who are housing insecure. Through holistic programming, comprehensive case management, and help from our community, we aid in our young women's journey to become self-sufficient and empowered. What we feel sets us a part from other similar programs is our commitment to helping these mothers up to one-year after their babies are born.
Our outreach program is for our community moms who may not need assistance in the form of housing, but may need help learning daily living skills or acquiring essential baby items such as diapers, wipes, cribs, strollers, and so much more! Our amazing group of community mothers are offered online and in-person classes on a weekly basis. If they attend and complete their lessons, they can then receive what we call "baby bucks." Baby bucks can be redeemed to purchase essential baby items donated by private donors and community organizations.
Testimonial from a Community Outreach mom:
“My name is Tiffany Vance. I attend Gianna House. When I first attended, it changed my life. When I got pregnant with my 6th child I was mentally drained and didn’t know how I was going to get through my pregnancy. The day I walked into Gianna House I felt so loved. I started attending classes and have learned so many valuable skills. I have attended cooking classes and have learned how to make clothes for myself and my family. If it was not for their incredible caring and committed staff I don’t know where I would be today. The people that work at Gianna House make me feel welcome and accepted. Gianna House saved my life and my baby."
Our fundraising efforts will go towards expanding our residential services. Seven (7) mommy and baby suites in our facility need renovation. When we can get the rooms up to our standards, we will be able to provide residential services for more at-risk and underserved women, thus expanding our impact!
We are also in need of a new HVAC system and other necessary structural updates. These updates will add a new heating and air conditioning system for our entire second floor, which is mainly comprised of baby and mommy suites, staff offices, and bathrooms. A new HVAC system will provide desperately needed relief to our aging boiler heat system. The new system will ensure our facility is warm during the cold winter months and cool in the summer. The new, much more efficient system will also significantly improve ventilation in the building, ensuring that indoor air quality is at its best.
More ways to support Gianna House
Saving Two Lives at a Time fundraiser is going on NOW through November 29, 2021. We are hoping to raise $100,000 as winter is fast approaching! Please consider giving today! You can also go to our website: Gianna House Donations and learn how you can become a donor and give monthly, quarterly, or annually to support our mission.
Special Note: Please consider "tipping" so that 100% of your donation will go towards Gianna House.
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