Foundation House Ministries’ Executive Director Suzanne Burns says calls into the nonprofit regarding drug-dependent babies born to addicted mothers have reached an all-time high. She says urgent help is needed from the community to support these babies and mothers who face a growing epidemic of poverty and substance abuse.
With two locations in Cleveland and Athens, Foundation House Ministries has the only maternity homes to serve these women and babies for 150 miles, officials said.
“We’ve already received more calls this year than all of 2024, and 2024 was a record year itself,” said Ms.
Burns, who founded Foundation House in 2014. “We’re getting more calls from DCS and the courts where babies are being born addicted to moms who need major help.”
Foundation House Ministries provides financial, physical and emotional support to women in crisis pregnancies, but Ms. Burns says it takes the support of an entire team to help these mothers fight addiction.
“There’s a lot of shame and guilt for the moms. It’s easier for them to believe they can’t be a good mom, that their babies are better off without them, so they might as well not try,” she said.
One mother in the program, whose newborn tested positive for methamphetamines, credits Foundation House for providing the support she has lacked to find lasting sobriety and stability so she can regain custody of her children.
“I’m not just existing anymore,” Magan King said. “I have hope when I see the other women who have made it through the program. I see light at the end of the tunnel for the first time. The only way out of addiction is through God, a support system and changing your people, places and things. Without Foundation House Ministries, I wouldn’t be sitting here today.”
Through the nonprofit’s series of life skills and sobriety classes, round-the-clock support and collaboration with the court systems, Ms. King hopes to graduate the program stable, employed and ready to provide for her family.
Foundation House Ministries is launching a fundraiser for 100 people to donate $1,000 to reach the goal of $100,000. While Ms. Burns acknowledges the fundraiser is bold, the need to support these families in crisis is higher than ever before. "Any dollar amount is greatly appreciated and goes directly to helping the program," she said.
The nonprofit also runs two thrift stores at 264 NW Broad St. in Cleveland and 225 E. Washington Ave. in Athens. The stores employ the mothers in the program, and all proceeds benefit the nonprofit.
Visit FoundationHouseMinistries.org to donate or learn about volunteer opportunities, or call 423-464-5351.