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
- 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
- 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
- Free pregnancy tests, ultrasounds, STD tests
Call: 515-440-2273
Text: 515-369-2244
- 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
- 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
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
- Section 8 housing units
- Facility includes onsite daycare, after-school program, summer camps for youth
515-244-2604
- Housing and support for pregnant women before and after baby is born
515-279-4661
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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)
- 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
