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Help for Moms

WWMIN pregnant mother lifting child

Resource Directory

The Saint Ambrose Cathedral Walking with Moms team has identified many resources available in our local community for pregnant and parenting mothers and their families.  Short descriptions and contact information for the resources are available in the directory below.  Certain resources may be subject to income eligibility and funding limitations.

A printable brochure which includes some of these resources prepared in May of 2023 is available here.

Non-Catholic organizations are included in this directory where, to our knowledge, the service offered by the organization does not contradict the teachings of the Catholic Church.  If a concern arises about a resource included in this directory, or to identify other resources, please inform the Walking with Moms team by contacting the parish office.

Care and resources available for pregnant and parenting mothers and their families:

Agape Pregnancy Resource Center

  • Free pregnancy tests, ultrasounds, STD tests
  • Counseling, parenting and personal development classes, life coaching
  • Attend classes in person or online to earn “Agape bucks” for free baby supplies, clothing, hygiene and household items

515-255-0243

 

Catholic Charities Food Pantry                 

  • Free diapers and infant formula to those in need

1815 Hubbell, Des Moines

515-262-7290

 

Count the Kicks

  • Download a free app to record your baby’s movements, track changes over time, and remind you to count kicks in the third trimester of pregnancy

 

Healthy Baby Showers

  • Attend a virtual or in-person baby shower for expecting mothers hosted by ISU Extension and Outreach in Polk County and Nutrition 4 Young Children to learn about how to support your baby’s development during pregnancy

515-957-5794

 

Innervisions Healthcare

  • Free pregnancy tests, ultrasounds, STD tests

Call:  515-440-2273

Text:  515-369-2244

 

Mary’s Helping Hands 

  • Free maternity clothes, baby clothes, diapers and nursery items

515-225-3827

 

MercyOne Maternity Care – Des Moines

  • MercyOne Maternity Care provides care for both low- and high-risk pregnancies, deliveries, postpartum and newborns
  • Childbirth education classes, lactation consultation and support

Email: babyinfo@mercydesmoines.org

 

Mercy South Family Practice OB/GYN

Dr. Dennis Zachary

6601 SW 9th St.

Des Moines, IA 50315

515-543-9400

 

Personal Hygiene Pantry (Impact Community Action Partnership)

  • Provides hygiene and household cleaning items, such as shampoo, soap, feminine hygiene products, detergent and more

515-518-4770

 

St. Vincent de Paul Clothes Closet

  • Free clothing to those in need

515-282-8327, Ext. 140 ( 1426 6th Ave., Des Moines)

515-282-8328, Ext. 230 (520 Army Post Road, Des Moines)

 

Stork’s Nest & Family Nest by EveryStep

  • Earn points that can be used for diapers, clothing, strollers, cribs, car seats, laundry soap and other household items

515-558-9950

 

Vitae Family Care Clinic, OB Care

Dr. Gregory McKernan

1355 50th Street, #100

West Des Moines, IA 50266

515-225-3261

Christ the King Free Clinic

  • Free medical care
  • Open Monday nights 7:00 – 9:00 p.m.  Registration starts at 6:30 p.m.

5711 SW 9th

Des Moines, IA

515-285-2888

 

Primary Healthcare at Mercy

  • Family Medicine Residency Program at MercyOne

250 Laurel St., Des Moines

515-612-9595

 

I-Smile by EveryStep

  • Dental and oral care services to children under the age of 21 and pregnant women

515-557-9023

Lutheran Family Service

  • Licensed adoption agency

515-251-4900

Catholic Charities Food Pantry

  • Free food, including infant formula, and personal hygiene items

1815 Hubbell Ave., Des Moines

515-262-7290

 

Connection Café

  • Free lunch at noon, every Monday – Friday, for homeless and low-income individuals and families

St. John’s Lutheran Church

600 6th Ave., Des Moines

515-771-1481

 

DMARC Food Pantries/DMARC Mobile Food Pantry Sites

  • Visit one of many food pantry sites to select a three-day supply of food for your family once a month at no cost

515-277-6969

 

St. Vincent DePaul Food Pantries

  • Free food to those in need

515-282-8327, Ext. 140 (1426 6th Ave., Des Moines)

515-282-8328, Ext. 230 (520 Army Post Road, Des Moines)

 

Women, Infants & Children (WIC)

  • Nutrition program serving pregnant women, breastfeeding women, postpartum women, infants and children under 5

1-800-532-1579

Anawim Housing (AllTerra Property Solutions)

  • Provides permanent supportive housing for individuals and families

515-244-8308

 

Catholic Charities Emergency Family Shelter (St. Joseph Family Shelter)

  • For assistance with housing placement, families in need of shelter should contact Primary Healthcare Outreach

515-248-1850

 

Hope Center for Women & Children

  • Short-term shelter for women and children and a free long-term life recovery program

515-264-0144

 

Oakridge Neighborhood, Inc. 

  • Section 8 housing units
  • Facility includes onsite daycare, after-school program, summer camps for youth

515-244-2604

 

Ruth Harbor Ministries

  • Housing and support for pregnant women before and after baby is born

515-279-4661

Catholic Charities

  • Counseling provided by licensed, professional therapists

515-237-5045

 

Children & Families of Iowa

  • Mental health, therapy, family support, domestic violence services

515-288-9109

 

MercyOne Perinatal Hospice & Bereavement

  • For information about pregnancy and infant loss resources, contact Connie Thompson, Perinatal Bereavement Coordinator at Mercy Medical Center

515-358-3030

 

St. Ambrose Cathedral 

  • Spiritual direction and support offered by our priests, Rev. Nivin Thakidipurathu Scaria and Rev. Ambrose Ladu Daniel

607 High St., Des Moines

515-288-7411, ext. 205 (Fr. Nivin)

515-288-7411, ext. 204 (Fr. Ambrose)

Children & Families of Iowa

  • Affordable child care for low-income families

515-282-2193

 

Child Care Resource & Referral

  • Free referrals to licensed child care centers, licensed preschools, and other programs

855-244-5301

 

Child Care Assistance

  • Financial assistance for child care available to children of eligible parents

866-448-4605

St. Ambrose Cathedral St. Vincent DePaul Conference

  • Contact the parish office at 515-288-7411

 

Impact Community Action Partnership

  • Financial assistance for housing and utilities

515-518-4770

Iowa Legal Aid

  • Legal services for low-income Iowans in civil cases involving family matters, housing and public benefits

1-800-532-1275

Bridges of Iowa

  • Long-term substance use disorder treatment for low-income or uninsured persons
  • Provides care regardless of ability to pay

515-348-8000

 

Children & Families of Iowa

  • Substance abuse services for individuals and families

515-289-2272 (Ankeny)

515-266-6338 (Des Moines)

 

House of Mercy

  • Residential and outpatient substance use disorder treatment and mental health programs for pregnant and parenting mothers and their families
  • Walk-in substance abuse and mental health assessments

515-643-6500

GRASP (Impact Community Action Partnership)

 

  • Discount program for eligible families to receive 50 – 75% off for recreational activities offered through Des Moines Parks and Recreation, including swimming lessons, family swim passes, bike rentals, youth sports programs, garden plots, and others

515-518-4770

 

 

RAYS (Impact Community Action Partnership)

 

  • Scholarship program for eligible youth to cover costs for a variety of activities, including sports registration, band, dance, and other recreational programs

515-518-4770

Where to find us

St. Ambrose Cathedral

607 High St, Des Moines, IA 50309

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