St. Raymond’s Society continues thriving, evolving after its first 10 years

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People witnessing the birth of the St. Raymond’s Society 10 years ago would have been astonished to see what it has become today.

It has evolved from an ad hoc coalition assisting pregnant women in crisis into three thriving communities led by professionals who help these mothers reach their highest potential.

“Our goal isn’t for them to just be able to ‘make it.’ We want them to be happy and fulfilled,” said Mike Hentges, cofounder of the Columbia-, Jefferson City- and Rolla-based organization.

“We give them an opportunity to find and pursue their life’s purpose, to dream of something greater, rather than getting stuck in the ‘day to day,’ where bad decisions get made,” said Steve Smith, another cofounder.

These two men, along with the St. Raymond’s Society (SRS) board of directors, staff and a growing network of volunteers, have leveraged prayer, inspiration and limited resources into a refined apparatus for saving lives and restoring futures.

Named for the patron saint of pregnant mothers and pre-born babies, this faith-based nonprofit organization focuses on giving at-risk pregnant mothers what they need — things such as life-skills training, help with a job search or even a place for them and their children to live.

The organization helps mothers and an increasing number of fathers learn to take care of themselves so they can take care of their babies and young children.

“From spiritual to financial to parenting skills, we look after the whole person,” said Mr. Hentges.

The commitment continues long after the child is born.

“We fall short when we tell a woman in crisis to have a baby if we aren’t willing to do anything to help them afterward,” Mr. Hentges stated.

This approach empowers women to make real choices about their lives and the lives of their preborn children.

“People are eager for something positive at this front,” said Mr. Hentges. “We’re presenting something positive that nobody can refute.”

National exposure

SRS received national notoriety this summer, just as it was preparing to launch into a new phase of discernment and growth.

SRS was named one of 11 finalists for The Catholic Extension Society of America’s highest honor, the Lumen Christi (“Light of Christ”) Award.

The award honors dedication to serving the poor in the most under-resourced dioceses in the United States, showcasing how the power of faith can transform lives and communities.

Being named a finalist garnered for SRS a $10,000 prize and a write-up in the Fall 2019 issue of Catholic Extension’s nationally-circulated magazine, Extension (www.lumenchristiaward.org/mike-steve-jefferson-city-finalists).

Around the same time, Mr. Hentges, a member of Our Lady of Lourdes parish in Columbia, announced that he would be stepping down from his administrative position at a Columbia-based company in order to become SRS’s full-time development director.

He will meet one-on-one with potential contributors to help ensure the organization’s long-term growth and viability.

“I love telling our story,” said Mr. Hentges. “People get excited to hear about our mission. Just seeing their enthusiasm puts fuel in our tank.”

Simultaneously, Mr. Smith, a member of St. Peter parish in Jefferson City, plans to spend more time helping SRS clients learn career and financial skills. He will also advise organizations in other states that want to replicate the SRS model.

Both plan to help expand SRS into other communities in Missouri.

Mary Chen, the organization’s longtime Jefferson City program director who helped to hone SRS’s programs, services and focus, retired this summer.

Jane Dalton, formerly SRS’s program director in Rolla, has been appointed to the newly created role of executive director, overseeing programs in all three St. Raymond Houses and in any others that open up in the state.

She was instrumental in developing SRS’s life skills curriculum, known as “My Ridiculously Amazing Life.”

A place to call home

Mr. Smith and Mr. Hentges have wives and children and hold down full-time jobs.

They have also made time to serve clients directly, raise money, and promote St. Raymond’s Society in the various communities.

It all started when Mr. Hentges made a pilgrimage to Washington, D.C., for the annual March for Life.

On the way back, he asked God to show him ways to help pregnant women in difficult circumstances choose life for their babies.

He shared what he was thinking with Mr. Smith, who agreed to help turn inspiration into reality.

“While people often focus on the babies, we realized that if we help the mothers, the babies will be cared for,” said Mr. Smith.

They got off to a modest start, with the men gathering up what they could and lining up people to help women who are pregnant and in need.

They didn’t have enough money to buy and staff a house, but they quickly came to realize that housing was one of the greatest obstacles to women choosing life.

“I figured it would be something we’d still be considering in 10 years,” Mr. Hentges recently recalled.

But with help from generous donors and the Missouri Maternity Home state tax-credit program, SRS wound up with homes in Jefferson City, Columbia and Rolla.

“We now have three houses, and they’re all paid for,” said Mr. Smith. “And we’re planning for more. And we’re looking out of state.”

Attainable goals

SRS serves people of all beliefs and backgrounds. It has helped more than 500 women who have chosen life.

It offers transitional housing not just for pregnant mothers but also for any other children they have.

SRS provided housing to 21 mothers and their 26 children in 2018.

The average stay for moms in the transitional living program is eight months to a year.

Staff members help mothers find jobs, obtain college degrees and secure stable housing.

SRS’s program focuses on goal-setting and attainment, as well as much needed accountability.

It emphasizes seven components of self-sufficiency: education, employment, parenting, personal wellness, budgeting, housing and transportation.

The objective is for the mothers — and the fathers when they agree to take part — to be ready to be parents and head of a household.

Help remains available to the women and their families.

“A woman never truly leaves SRS,” said Mr. Smith. “We are there for them and alumni, and some have come back to now help other women.”

The homes make up a large part of SRS’s work, but a larger percentage of the women the society helps never come to live in one of the homes.

Last year, SRS provided outreach assistance to 137 non-residential mothers in their communities and their 211 children, who did not need housing but needed other assistance during challenging circumstances while pregnant.

Accountability

Each SRS staff member is being trained as a certified life coach.

“We walk our clients through each step of the process,” said Mr. Smith. “We ask questions that keep you accountable. It always, ‘What’s the next step?’”

“Our staff have moved from being ‘house moms’ to being coaches for these women,” he told Catholic Extension. “With these skills, they say to the women, ‘It’s your life and your goals. What do you want to do?’ We walk this journey with them.”

Another key is community.

“One of the beautiful things about the houses is that the women lean on each other in positive ways,” said Mr. Smith. “They soon realize that they’re in the same situation, and that there’s help for them, and they’re going to get through it together.”

Even after they move on, the women and their children stay connected with each other and with the SRS staff.

The organization also recently developed a structured program for the dads to take responsibility and help raise their children.

“Whether they’re going to be a spouse to the mother or not, the child needs a good father,” said Mr. Smith.

“They are integral to the success if they can be a positive influence,” Mr. Hentges added.

“We’re about life”

SRS counts on financial support from local individuals and churches.

“We have the structure in place,” said Mr. Smith. “We need financial support to keep it growing.”

Mr. Smith and Mr. Hentges said they’re grateful to their wives and families and employers for their patience and unconditional support.

They also talked about their parents and the other people who helped them learn to love God, know their faith and understand that it must be lived out in service of others.

“It goes to core of our faith,” said Mr. Hentges. “Our life is not about us. We’re about life.” They hope the story of how their “little yes” to God is making a difference and will inspire other people.

“Little things done consistently over time develop great results,” said Mr. Smith. “Just help somebody!”

 “There might be someone in your life who you can say yes to and change their life forever,” said Mr. Hentges.

SRS’s founders ask for prayers for guidance and wisdom as they discern and enter the organization’s next phase of discernment and growth.

“We’re right back where we were 10 years ago,” said Mr. Smith. “We don’t know where this is going, but we’re trusting God to help us in that discovery.”

They also requested prayers for SRS’s past, present and future clients.

“Moms, babies and families — they’re what we’re all about,” said Mr. Hentges.

To find out how to donate to or volunteer for the St. Raymond’s Society, call (573) 893-2067 or visit www.srshelp.org.

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