Mater Maria

Providing Safe Places for Mothers to Ensure Healthy Pregnancies

Mater Maria provides secure housing and dedicated case management for pregnant women facing homelessness and financial instability.

Welcome to Mater Maria

We champion life by offering a nurturing environment where expectant mothers can focus on a healthy pregnancy and early bonding. Our home provides the essential support, education, and community needed to prepare for motherhood.

Rooted in Catholic tradition, Mater Maria welcomes expectant mothers regardless of their marital or socioeconomic status, race, or religion.

What We Offer

Mater Maria provides expectant mothers with a safe residence and a comprehensive support system of nutritious meals, baby supplies, and life-skills training.
Some services are dependent on volunteer availability.

women smiling and standing next to baby carriages outside of a house

Housing

We have two Mater Maria homes located in Collin County. Both houses can house up to ten mothers and their infants. The length of stay may vary based on individual needs. Mothers live in the house under the supervision of a live-in house mother, or Ima. During their stay, we provide them with the following at no cost:

  • A furnished, shared bedroom
  • Shared bathroom, toiletries, and towels
  • Three nutritional meals a day
  • Baby supplies
  • In-house laundry
  • Access to technology

Care

At Mater Maria, mothers learn to appreciate and understand their value as a person and the new member coming into their lives. To help mothers, we provide:

  • Counseling and wellness services supervised by a licensed therapist to guide mothers through their current challenges and prepare them for self-dependency
  • Health promotion and lactation programs overseen by a register nurse and board-certified lactation consultant specializing in comprehensive prenatal and postpartum care.
nurse training mothers on safety for their child
Supervised Independent Living

We depend on a team of dedicated supporters and volunteers to operate our homes. Thanks to the support of medical professionals, counselors, educators, lawyers, and other active members of our community, we provide holistic support tailored to each mother:

  • Group prayer and spiritual guidance*
  • GED and ESL tutoring
  • Employment and etiquette coaching
  • Résumé building and time management skills
  • Arts and crafts activities
  • Housing application and discharge planning
  • *Participation in prayer is voluntary

Each mother-to-be is assigned a Doula for individual support. With the help of volunteers, we provide educational workshops, tutoring, and occupational training to meet individual and group needs.

Everyday Support

While our mothers focus on their future, we take care of the present. We provide a full range of essential services to ensure every resident has what she needs to live with dignity and peace of mind. Our daily support includes:

Meals

We provide three nutritious meals
every day to support the mothers’ well-being.

Clothing

We offer clothing for mothers during and after pregnancy, as well as for their baby.

Transportation

We can provide transportation for mothers to doctor’s appointments and for other needs.

Health

We offer support to mothers to help them follow doctor’s instructions and maintain their health during and after pregnancy.

Well-Being

Along with health support, we ensure mothers have the emotional guidance, personal care, and life planning assistance they may need.

Baby Care

We offer a range of services such as education, training, baby food, and supplies to assist mothers in preparing for their child’s arrival.

Personal Development

We offer various classes and networking opportunities to help mothers enhance their personal skills.

Spiritual Orientation

Mothers have the option to attend weekly classes, daily rosary, and monthly masses.

Meals

We provide three nutritious meals
every day to support the mothers’ well-being.

Clothing

We offer clothing for mothers during and after pregnancy, as well as for their baby.

Transportation

We can provide transportation for mothers to doctor’s appointments and for other needs.

Health

We offer support to mothers to help them follow doctor’s instructions and maintain their health during and after pregnancy.

Well-Being

Along with health support, we ensure mothers have the emotional guidance, personal care, and life planning assistance they may need.

Baby Care

We offer a range of services such as education, training, baby food, and supplies to assist mothers in preparing for their child’s arrival.

Personal Development

We offer various classes and networking opportunities to help mothers enhance their personal skills.

Spiritual Orientation

Mothers have the option to attend weekly classes, daily rosary, and monthly masses.

Taking the Next Step Together

If you are pregnant and need assistance, contact us by phone at 972-836-9378, or by email at klopez@ccdallas.org.

Mater Maria only serves pregnant women who are at least 18-years-old and who lack housing at the time they receive assistance. After birth, the mother and child can stay in the house for up to eight months.

Mater Maria reserves the right to accept or deny the admission of any applicant based on the urgency to provide housing and the safeguard of the current residents.

Upon contacting us, we will set up an interview with one of our staff members to learn more about you and how we may help you. After the interview, we will assess if Mater Maria is the right place for you. If this is the case, you will be invited to visit the facilities and then introduced to the other mothers living in the house.

We are not an educational, medical, or government facility. Mater Maria is part of Catholic Charities Dallas and must comply with federal and state regulations to operate the house. Our work is to advocate for the welfare, health, and best interest of the mothers and babies currently living in the house.

Responsibilities & Expectations

All mothers are expected to:

  • Follow house rules
  • Coordinate your and your baby’s medical services
  • Follow your doctor’s instructions
  • Follow the house mother’s instructions
  • Participate in house educational workshops
  • Execute your assigned chores in a timely manner

Taking the Next Step Together

If you are pregnant and need assistance, contact us by phone at 972-836-9378, or by email at klopez@ccdallas.org.

Mater Maria only serves pregnant women who are at least 18-years-old and who lack housing at the time they receive assistance. After birth, the mother and child can stay in the house for up to eight months.

Mater Maria reserves the right to accept or deny the admission of any applicant based on the urgency to provide housing and the safeguard of the current residents.

Upon contacting us, we will set up an interview with one of our staff members to learn more about you and how we may help you. After the interview, we will assess if Mater Maria is the right place for you. If this is the case, you will be invited to visit the facilities and then introduced to the other mothers living in the house.

We are not an educational, medical, or government facility. Mater Maria is part of Catholic Charities Dallas and must comply with federal and state regulations to operate the house. Our work is to advocate for the welfare, health, and best interest of the mothers and babies currently living in the house.

Responsibilities & Expectations

All mothers are expected to:

  • Follow house rules
  • Coordinate your and your baby’s medical services
  • Follow your doctor’s instructions
  • Follow the house mother’s instructions
  • Participate in house educational workshops
  • Execute your assigned chores in a timely manner

Taking the Next Step Together

If you are pregnant and need assistance, contact us by phone at 972-836-9378, or by email at klopez@ccdallas.org.

Mater Maria only serves pregnant women who are at least 18-years-old and who lack housing at the time they receive assistance. After birth, the mother and child can stay in the house for up to eight months.

Mater Maria reserves the right to accept or deny the admission of any applicant based on the urgency to provide housing and the safeguard of the current residents.

Upon contacting us, we will set up an interview with one of our staff members to learn more about you and how we may help you. After the interview, we will assess if Mater Maria is the right place for you. If this is the case, you will be invited to visit the facilities and then introduced to the other mothers living in the house.

We are not an educational, medical, or government facility. Mater Maria is part of Catholic Charities Dallas and must comply with federal and state regulations to operate the house. Our work is to advocate for the welfare, health, and best interest of the mothers and babies currently living in the house.

Responsibilities & Expectations

All mothers are expected to:

  • Follow house rules
  • Coordinate your and your baby’s medical services
  • Follow your doctor’s instructions
  • Follow the house mother’s instructions
  • Participate in house educational workshops
  • Execute your assigned chores in a timely manner