The Homeless Prenatal Program (HPP) works with families to break the cycle of homelessness and poverty. Seizing the motivating opportunity created by pregnancy and parenthood, HPP joins with families to help them recognize their strengths and trust in their capacity to transform their lives.

Description:
Homeless Prenatal Program provides services and support for homeless and poor families, including prenatal care, counseling, referrals for drug abuse and family problems, housing placement, as well as support throughout the journey of pregnancy and birth and the search for safe permanent housing. HPP works with families that have become homeless and that suffer from multiple, often linked problems, such as extreme poverty, social isolation, substance abuse, domestic violence, very unstable or unhealthy living conditions, as well as poor nutrition. Over 2,500 families come to HPP each year. Between 280 and 300 families come to us every week. Of these, 35 to 40 families are coming for the first time as they set out to create healthy and stable lives for their families.

History:
In the 1980’s, Martha Ryan was a nurse practitioner providing prenatal care for homeless, pregnant women as a volunteer at the Hamilton Family Center. Ryan realized that prenatal care was critical if homeless women were to deliver healthy, normal weight and drug free babies. In 1989, with a small grant, Ryan founded Homeless Prenatal Program with a part-time staff of three, providing prenatal care for 72 women in the first year. Today, in a beautiful home in the Potrero district, a staff of 51 provides comprehensive services for over 2,500 families per year.

Contact people:

Rebecca Reiner, Volunteer Coordinator, (phone), (email) Karen Hones, Development Director, (phone), (email) Martha Ryan, Executive Director, (phone), (email)

Main office number: (415) 546-6756
Office fax number: (415) 546-6778

Address:

2500 18th Street San Francisco, CA 94110 (See a map)

Web Site: http://www.homelessprenatal.org

Directions:

FROM THE NORTH BAY: US-101 South Cross the Golden Gate Bridge Take the US-101 south ramp towards Downtown / Lombard St Merge onto US-101 US-101 becomes US-101 / Richardson Ave US-101 / Richardson Ave. becomes US-101 / Lombard St Turn right onto US-101 / Van Ness. . . (more)   Nearest Metro/Subway Stop: BART 16th St. Station-- from there take either 22 Fillmore, 33 Stanyan, or 53 Southern Heights   Nearest Bus Stop: 9 San Bruno, 22 Fillmore, 27 Bryant, 33 Stanyan, 48 Quintara-24th Street, 53 Southern Heights

Miscellaneous Information

Besides English, which languages are spoken at your agency?
	Spanish
What is the minimum age for volunteers at your agency?
	14
Is your agency wheelchair accessible?
	Yes
Does your agency have the capacity to host groups of more than 10?
	No
Does your agency have the capacity to host groups of more than 20?
	No

Overall Experience   
Volunteering at the homeless prenatal program has been an inspiring and eye-opening experience for me, witnessing so many women receive qaulity counseling, forge new friendships with other moms, and make positive changes in their lives

The homeless prenatal program is a non-profit organization in San Francisco that works with mothers and family members in the community to recognize and reinforce their capacity to make lasting change to break the cycle of homelessness and poverty. For the past 2 months I have been volunteering with the wellness center at HPP, which organizes a number of services for pregnant women such as doula care, yoga, and prenatal classes. Sitting in on the prenatal classes and helping out with the postnatal baby education classes has been a wonderful experience seeing many of the women make new connections with other moms in their community and even teach each other tips on pregnancy and early baby care from their own experience. The vibe at HPP is consistently positive and supportive and very welcoming of anyone who walks through the doors of the organization. posted by sarahbeth84 on August 30, 2007