Marys Choice Rva

Mary’s Choice RVA will provide an expectant mother with no-cost housing in a community
setting throughout her pregnancy, and following the birth of her baby, for up to four years.
During this period, she will be offered support to develop the tools she will need ultimately to
provide for herself and her baby, and to assimilate back into the larger community independently.
Residents will be required to adhere to the same program covenants utilized in the successful
Mary’s Shelter program, which offer structure, self-discipline and guidance, since Mary’s Choice
RVA will not only be a place to live, but a safe nurturing home that models healthy family living.
The program at Mary’s Choice RVA shall provide guidance to the residents to develop the skills
and confidence they need to lead happy, productive, independent lives and to be good mothers to
their children. Toward that end, mothers living at Mary’s Choice RVA will receive on-site
counseling and educational programs covering issues of health, nutrition, parenting, job training,
financial literacy and budgeting. CCC will be the primary agency guiding these programs. As
part of the intake process, each resident will work with a case manager to develop an
individualized plan to further her education and / or secure employment. To assist in her journey,
each resident will be blessed with a mentor to provide hands-on support, compassion and
guidance.

For those women who wish to consider adoption for their child, Mary’s Choice RVA, in
partnership with CCC, will assist them in exploring this possibility. These women, too, need
assistance and guidance to rebuild their lives after the birth of their babies.

Security will be a high priority for the Mary’s Choice RVA homes. Mary’s Choice RVA will
install security cameras, an alarm system and have a night manager on site. The resident
covenants will include a curfew and will not allow residents to have visitors in the home. Only
Mary’s Choice approved volunteers, all Virtus trained, will be permitted to visit the home.
Volunteers will be be permitted inside the home only during specific pre-arranged times and for
pre-approved activities. No volunteer will be alone with children in our home. Mary’s Choice
RVA will utilize the successful and effective resident covenants and volunteer screening
procedures of our mentor organization Mary’s Shelter (with any necessary modifications based
on differences in our location or situation)