Our Lady's Inn

I've worked with nonprofits helping women and children for the past 15-plus years. OLI is going above the call of duty to help mothers and their children. Each family has a private bedroom and access to a clean bathroom. OLI has a full-service laundry room to make sure that they have clean clothing. The agency meets families on their homeless journey and works hard to ensure that when they have their babies in a safe and healthy environment and are on the road to self-sufficiency. To achieve this goal, our mom has to embrace employment, job training, and in some cases completing their GED or High School. Studies show that these are not easy hurdles to jump over. OLI has a team behind each mother that is pushing her to greatness. OLI is a solid program to aid and assist women in wanting a better future for their families. We are not perfect, but we strive to show love and give our clients a new outlook on a new future.

The staff tends to bully clients along with not adequately explaining programs requirements and time lines for goal and likes to pick and choose when and who they ask to leave. It is a very toxic environment and not conducive to rebuilding lives

I'm only two months in as a client and so far so good. had a few slip ups in the beginning.... being new and not fully understanding the ins and outs and feeling out of place. I was completely nervous about coming here, unsure of what to expect. Typically when one thinks of a "SHELTER" you imagine a gymnasium full of cots full of people, having to share a community restroom, carrying your belongings with you everywhere you go and making it back in time to ensure you have a spot to sleep.This was NOT the case here. I along with all my children shared a room, my children had their very own bed even a crib for the baby i have yet to have! We even had our very own bathroom! I can not speak for any other clients....but having a warm soft bed of my very own to sleep in, plus having our very own restroom with shower was heaven sent! I am so very thankful for OLI! If not for them my family and I would be sleeping outside in the cold! Its a very good feeling knowing you have a safe place to eat and sleep EVERY night. They offer so many resources, help you in so many ways. One has just to show ambition and drive and the oppourtunities are limitless! I'm still new and still learning the ropes here but my future here seems bright. My kids are happy and safe. At first i was embarassed about coming here, afraid of what others would say and think of me. I soon let my pride and thoughts of what others felt mean nothing to me. I as a mother have to do whats best for myself and children. I cant let what others think stop me from being the best that i can be nor stop me from making the best decision for us! I appreciate this program and all that they do. I KNOW FOR SURE I MADE THE RIGHT CHOICE BY COMING HERE!

Our Lady's Inn is a place in my heart, that works with young lady's that need shelter and that are pregnant. They are great with these girls and the children. It shows the lady's that there is another life out there for them and the children. It helps teaching them, how to live again, take care of the kids, gives them warm clothes to wear, child care while they attend classes. Helps them with get a GED if they don't have one. But, the most of all the give and teaches them respect for themselves.
It is a great place to help, so if you need a nonprofit organization to help than chose Our Lady's Inn.

Our ladies inn of defiance really hurt my family and I. Because I wasn't good enough or without a past they lied to me and my caseworkers and hurt us in court. Even went as far as continuing to spread lied about me to hospital sswrkers and to pat'ers. The amount of pain and manipulation I went through with this religious group was terrifying and I to this day still suffer from their lies. Thank you society. the volunteer and debaters have little clue as to the program or what we go through. When I was there 2 girls were kicked out back on the streets and the bs reason they gave was non compliance When that was not the case. The staff, Denise Angelina, and sadly Hellen to this day speak of me When asked and slander me and hurt my family. Even Anna after I left continued conversation with my caseworkers lying and manipulating paperwork she sent them.

Our Lady's Inn changes and saves lives. Pregnant women and their children are presented with a way to have a positive future. The staff, volunteers and clients respect each other and work together in a wonderful relationship. The guidance provided is "Heaven Sent".

In both of their locations you can feel something very special is happening.

My husband and I have been connected with Our Lady's Inn for many years and will continue to give our support and prayers to all the people involved.

Thank you Our Lady's Inn for helping to make Saint Louis and Saint Charles, Missouri a much better place to live.

As a volunteer, I have seen the love that our women receive as they bring a new life into the world.....It is truly a life saving organization to many homeless, pregnant women.....

As a volunteer I have seen so many successes at OLI. I am in awe of this mission to get pregnant mother to have healthy children and later become thriving productive citizens. One women in particular came to the St Charles location after a job loss with children in tow and 6 months pregnant. I saw how the staff welcomed her first hand. It was as if the woman was a cousin of sister to them. They had already prepared and decorates the private rooms for the mother with enough beds for her children. On another occasion, I saw the children happily playing in the playroom with a babysitter while the mother attended life skills classes.

I am blessed to be on the Board of Our Lady's Inn. It is home to pregnant ladies and their children who are all in need of a loving place to live and people who truly care about them. The ladies receive direction for their future lives and help with their children. The clients are given encouragement that their lives will be better for having been at Our Lady's Inn. The atmosphere at either the downtown or Defiance locations shows precious little ones playing like any child you know. It shows Moms who are happy to see you and are pleased when you and their little ones play or are happy to see each other. I don't know of any organization that can offer the live saving/life changing experiences that Our Lady's Inn gives.

Our Lady's Inn is an awesome facility. The staff is truly dedicated and continuously go above and beyond the call of duty to ensure that the client are taken care of. They truly care, this is exemplified from the Exceutive Director on down. What a great facility.

A group of ladies in my church provide lunches and dinners every Thursday at Our Lady's Inn in Defiance, MO for the past 4 1/2 years and we have observed the caring, loving, and instructive counseling that these pregnant ladies receive during their stay for up to a year. Also their other children are welcomed and cared for as well. Personally I was very impressed with one young lady in her journey. One of my high school friends was praising Our Lady's Inn and how they turned her granddaughter around and helped her so much and it turned out to be the young lady that I was especially drawn to and that really impacted my desire to continue to do my part to help the leaders of Our Lady's Inn.

My realationship with Our Lady's Inn (OLI) began in 2006 when I was working for a local school district parenting and preschool program. We provided parenting classes and developmental information to the parents who were staying at OLI. We also encouraged the parents to send their children to our school district's preschool program. When I reitred in 2008, I organized a team of ladies from my church to cook at OLI every Thursday. We have been doing this for 31/2 years. Two years ago, I became a member of their Board of Directors. Each time I am there, I am blessed by what is happening for the ladies who are staying there. Not only are they receiving a shelter for themselves and their children, but they are receiving an education in how to make ends meet in this world. The expectation for having a job or being in school is really helping these ladies receive the necessary skills to gain employment that will enable them support their families. They are required to save a percentage of their pay to plan for their future as they will need down payments and deposits once they are ready to be more independent. The ladies are expected to assume duties at Our Lady's Inn, which makes it more like a family. They support one another well, and I am sure, there are many close friendships that have been formed. It is such a positive and respectful environment, which is exactly what many of these young parents need as they learn parenting skills, etc. As a member of the Board, I have seen the passion that the OLI workers have for what they do. They are all doing good work. Many of us who are pro-life are not really doing much to make it a possible choice for these young ladies, but OLI is doing it and overseeing all that is needed to make pro-life a decision that these ladies can make and know that their lives will be better for it!

I have been a voluteer board memeber for Our Lady's Inn for over 10 years, and continue to be impressed by the dedication and level of service that this agency provides. Each woman is treated as an individual, counseled and supported as her circumstances dictate. Through guided daily living, women are given the opportunity to learn skills and behaviors that will strengthen then and foster their independence. Most importantly, Our Lady's Inn helps each women learn to love and care for herself and her children.

These statistics say why I think Our Lady's Inn is the greatest non-profit:
2011 Our Lady’s Inn Program Accomplishments
125 women served (10485 days of care)
99 children served (9534 days of care)
39 babies born in residence (2730 days of care)
It is now in it's 30th year of operation.
Plus, it is a Charity Navigator award winner, so donors know that it's administrative costs are low. Therefore, your money is going to help women and children, not to expensive fundraising or salaries.

Our Lady's Inn not only saved me but brought a beautiful life into the world through giving me stable housing, love and support and counseling and maternity care including humble acts of love. Our Ladys's Inn is like a second family to me and my son and has helped us with stabily. I recommend Our Ladys Inn as the number ne Maternity home in St. Louis.

One of the most worthwhile charities in existence, this emergency shelter helps homeless women who are pregnant.
Not only does Our Lady's Inn provide food & shelter for them and their children, but they also provide assistance with learning life's necessary basic skills such as employment and money management.

I have been a volunteer donor to Our Lady's Inn since it began in 1981. I am amazed at the great work they do to help women and children.

I am chair of our parish's pro life committee. Our Lady's Inn has always been generous to other agencies like Birthright and Good Shepherd whenever we have parish campaigns. They are a leader in cooperation with other pregnancy resource centers. I have visited their St. Louis facility and have been impressed with staff and clients. Connie Ellier, especially, is helpful, generous and caring. Thank you Our Lady's Inn for what you do for pregnant women and their children in our St. Louis community. You are a beacon for respecting and cherishing life.

Working for a referral agency to Our Lady's Inn I can tell you that they are terrific to work with. Staff is professional and responsive, home is well managed, and clients that have been referred have been treated fairly and compassionately. There is a standard of operation that far exceeds any maternity home in our area. Our Lady's Inn can recgonizes a true emergency and acts promptly and efficiently. It is always the first place I call when maternity shelter is needed.

I have been volunteering at OLI in Defiance since last spring. I am so impressed with the staff. They are so attentive and caring to the ladies and their children. I absolutely love helping out, whether it's making jewelry or cards with the ladies, helping with fund raisers, fixing lunch or cleaning up in the kitchen, or doing office work. The lady in charge of volunteers at OLI in Defiance is such a delight. She always has a smile and a kind word. Everyone just loves her...including me. Thanks OLI for giving me the opportunity to help at this great place.

I am amazed by the work this organization does for women in need. I was introduced to the Inn by a friend who had been doing volunteer work with them. One tour of the home in Defiance and I was hooked. I have met many of the women who are living at the Inn and I am amazed at their strength and courage. I have been speaking on behalf of the group at their Lunch and Learn presentations and last month a resident named Amber spoke to the group and literally brought almost all 80 attendees to tears! To hear her talk about how Our Lady's Inn literally gave her the strength to get out of an abusive relationship and stand on her own was incredible. I continue to be moved at the selfless acts of the staff and volunteers to help these women in need, as well as their children. It is an amazing organization and I can only hope that they continue to grow and prosper.

I'm an office volunteer at Our Lady's Inn in St. Charles. In the four months that I have been volunteering, I am completely amazed at the love, support, spiritual sharing and practical help that the staff brings to the residents. They offer selfless service with love and a sense of humor. The residents respond to them in a respectful and cooperative mode. The life skills training that is experienced by living at OLI will definitely be an asset as the residents transition to homes of their own.

From my first time as a volunteer at Our Lady's Inn I have been impressed with the warm, caring environment provided by the staff and other volunteers. As I observe and learn more about the procedures and operations of the facility, I am in awe of the dedication of the staff to equip each client with the knowledge and skills to be successful when the time comes for her to leave Our Lady's Inn.

Our Lady's Inn is wonderful. There staff is dedicated and will do everything to insure that the living experience for the girls is all that it can be. Thank God for Our Ladys Inn and the wonderful staff.

I have found Our Lady's Inn to be a wonderful place to volunteer my time and talents. My 13 year old grand-daughter loves to go with me to Our Ladys Inn as well. With each visit I feel that I am needed and appreciated by the staff. I wish that I could go more often and give more of my time because I believe in the value of this organization and the love that they show to the residents and their children is tremendous.

I don't know how they do it...but they do. Day in and day out, the staff members I work with collaborate and encourage each other. They are friends that have come together to serve those in need. I asked a few of them a question today. It was: Why do you do what you do? Each of them shared a different gift that they had to offer and expressed that they saw a need for that gift to be shared. With God at the center of this organization, it has not only survived, it has flourished beautifully. I strive to be like the people I work with. That has never been the case, and I have never been around such an awesome team of people (even in my work with for-profit organizations) that peacefully and collaboratively come together to help a group in need. This same team brings God into its work setting and does not hesitate to give Him credit; I have never seen such devotion or credit given to the Lord by one group of people, not even while volunteering at my church. Not one resident goes wanting of anything; each, if she desires it, can receive an abundance of food, advice, friendship, love, shelter (whether at OLI or at a place that OLI finds for them), or any other basic need. God bless Our Lady's Inn and my friends (the staff, volunteers, and residents).

If actions speak louder than words, the Board Members, Staff, volunteers and supporters of Our Lady's Inn have lives that shout. To attend an OLI function is to see how contagious caring can be - Staffers and Board Members inspiring each other to even greater effort in support of the families they serve, donors responding enthusiastically to the enthusiasm of the volunteers, and clients treating each other with the care and concern they receive from the staff. This is a service organization with a model others could well emulate.

Our lady's inn provides the love & support to encourge their clients to grow & become self sufficient and continue to care for their families after they leave the inn