Who and What is Michael House?
We are a non-denominational, not-for-profit agency based in Guelph, Ontario dedicated to providing housing and services to young pregnant and parenting women in need of a supportive environment.
Meet and connect with the people of Michael House
Vision & Mission
Vision
To provide shelter and support to pregnant and parenting young women.
Mission
Drawing on Christian values, Michael House will provide to women in Guelph and area who need it, the offer of shelter during pregnancy, childbirth and early parenting, and will seek to help such women to make healthy, informed decisions for their own lives and those of their children.
Objectives
We will attain our mission by:
- Offering a caring home and providing for the emotional, physical and spiritual needs of women experiencing crisis during pregnancy or early parenting.
- Providing access to educational and support services.
- Providing access to life skills training.
- Advocating on behalf of our clients.
- Liaising with other charitable, non-profit community and government agencies or organizations to improve the quality of life of young women at risk of crisis pregnancy by referral to, or creation of supportive services.
A Brief History of Michael House Pregnancy Care Centre
The community of Guelph, Ontario, has a long history of providing support to women coping with crisis pregnancies and their babies through the work of a number of different agencies. While various types of practical and emotional help could be offered, for many years shelter needs could not be supplied, and women had to be referred to agencies in other cities. In 1998, this recognized lack of provision was once more the subject of discussion at a Board meeting of Guelph and Area Right to Life Association. One Board member decided that the situation had gone on long enough, and, placing a toonie on the table, launched the process which led to the creation of Michael House Pregnancy Care Centre.
The name “Michael House” was chosen early on in this process. The “Michael” in question was a little Guelph boy who had Down’s syndrome. At his birth, his parents experienced a negative reaction from medical personnel who did not think that the parents should have continued the pregnancy when they knew of the baby’s condition. Michael was nevertheless welcomed and cherished, and thus “Michael House” came to symbolize a place of safety and shelter for babies and their mothers who had decided to continue their pregnancies in spite of difficult circumstances.
On June 12, 1999, the Michael House project was officially launched at a fundraising concert. In September, 1999, a Steering Committee began meeting monthly, which included not only members of the G & A Right to Life Board but other interested members of the community. A considerable amount of research was undertaken over the next two years to document both the need for a shelter and the feasibility of establishing one, while fundraising efforts continued and policy statements were drawn up. A number of outside consultants donated their expertise to the new venture. On October 12, 2001, Michael House Pregnancy Care Centre was incorporated, and subsequently the CRA granted the organization independent charitable status. In November of 2002 an Executive Director was hired and the first Annual General Meeting was held. By this time a suitable first property had been donated at a nominal rent for the shelter, and renovations were under way.
Many people contributed to the opening of the first house on April 1, 2003: churches, schools, businesses, families and individuals who gave of their time, talent and treasure. Michael House has always been both a faith-based, prayer-supported ministry and a community venture, and continues to be so.
Over the next two years, Michael House continued to establish a solid reputation in the community for excellent service through the energy and expertise of the staff, and the positive outcomes in the lives of the clients it served. In 2005, Michael House was instrumental in helping to start the “Give Yourself Credit” program – an independent learning school program which was an immediate success and served both Michael House clients and many other youth in the community.