DALLAS — When the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, the feeling was “complicated” for Aubrey Schlackman, who considers herself “pro-life.”
As someone who believes the “unborn” should be saved, she was thankful. But Schlackman also felt the “sobering reality of the fact that we have to step up to the plate and help these moms” with a sense of urgency.
Schlackman runs a North Texas ministry called Blue Haven Ranch, west of Denton, that provides housing, support and other resources to single mothers who are pregnant and choose to have the child. A mother herself, she knows motherhood is a life-changing decision not to be taken lightly.
With the court’s decision, Blue Haven and other faith-based organizations in Dallas-Fort Worth anticipate increased demand for the parenting resources, housing and support systems needed to raise children. And while such organizations vary in philosophy and approach to abortion, some advocating “pro-life” policies and others avoiding discussing abortion, they align in feeling that their mission to support women and families has become more urgent.
“While so many are rejoicing over this decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, I think they need to take the stance of taking action, too, by stepping in to help us organizations,” said Thana Hickman-Simmons, founder and executive director of Viola’s House.
A need for housing
Housing applications are already spiking at Viola’s House in Dallas, a maternity home for mothers age 18 to 24 who find themselves homeless or at risk of homelessness, Hickman-Simmons said. Now that Roe v. Wade is overturned, she expects a larger housing crisis. Through a partnership with Cornerstone Baptist Church, Viola’s House plans to close on a 12-unit apartment building in the next 30 days.
Viola’s House currently offers five beds for 10 residents, with each bed accommodating a single mother and one child for up to six months. The new apartment units will be available for them for up to a year, and will accommodate mothers with multiple children.
Schlackman, who runs Blue Haven Ranch, is trying to expand and began receiving more donations and volunteers after the court’s decision. The facility serves five mothers and has a waitlist of 12.
“I can’t help them all,” Schlackman said. “And I know that’s only 12. I know there’s so many more that they just haven’t found us. And I know that will grow.”
The ministry provides housing, paid maternity leave, baby showers, support groups, farm therapy, cooked meals and other resources for up to 18 months after birth for a single pregnant mother who already has a child, she said.
Starting with one mom who came to Schlackman’s home in January 2021 to cook meals and study the Bible together, the idea quickly expanded. As the organization’s name suggests, Schlackman plans to create a “maternity ranch” with cottages for families, a community center and resources to create a healing environment for moms.
She and her family recently moved to Krum, northwest of Denton, and she began the process of purchasing 124 acres of land nearby for the nonprofit. Blue Haven has until the end of October to determine whether it will use the land to build the ranch, which will cost $3.3 million.
For now, Blue Haven uses a church facility in Argyle for support group meetings and Bible studies and to cook meals.
Last week, the families gathered at the church to celebrate the birthday of the third child born into the program. Yellow and green balloons and a “happy birthday” banner marked the occasion for Victoria, a one-year-old girl in a yellow tutu.
‘Community and camaraderie’
For moms, the community aspect of the family services is crucial.
Tia Stelzer, a member of Watermark Community Church in Dallas, said even her planned pregnancy was difficult, and it made her realize how challenging motherhood could be for women experiencing unplanned pregnancies.
“It’s absolutely important as the church that we come around these women and these babies and really support them, because honestly, the best way to love these babies is to love and care for their parents,” she said.
Stelzer joined the church four years ago and used the ministry service that provides guidance to first-time moms.
“It was a great, great sense of community and camaraderie and just support during a very vulnerable time in my life,” Stelzer said. “I felt very blessed, I was a part of a church that offered that ministry because it kind of felt like a breaking point for me … and it was much needed during that time.”
A year after she joined, she became a mentor in the unexpected pregnancy ministry, where she paired up with a woman experiencing an unplanned pregnancy and spent about two years guiding her. Now, Stelzer is the ministry’s coordinator.
The church offers additional ministries to families, women and men with unexpected pregnancies and past abortions. Watermark has three urgent care clinics that provide sonogram, UTI care, and services for unexpected pregnancy and miscarriages.
