Bayard House – residential maternity care

How Catholic Charities Helps

Bayard House is the only fully licensed residential program serving homeless or transitional pregnant minors in Delaware.  The mission of Bayard House is to provide residential, educational, and referral services to at-risk pregnant teens/women and to young families in need, so that they may become nurturing parents and independent, contributing members of society.

Beyond meeting the immediate needs of homeless pregnant women – namely shelter and food – Bayard House also provides its residents with educational and employment assistance, access to health care, birthing & parenting classes, independent living & home management skills, and pregnancy counseling & referral services.

The long-term goals of Bayard House include lessening the rates of infant mortality and child abuse in Delaware, providing a supportive environment for childbirth, building healthy families with healthy children, and reducing teen pregnancy rates through education and shared information.

Bayard House provides 24-hour residential care to at-risk pregnant minors and women by providing:

· Individualized case management services to ensure each resident achieves secure housing, nutritious meals, and emotional support

· Access to pre-natal healthcare, birthing classes, and counseling

· Parenting and independent-living workshops

· Information and referral services for those at-risk for low birth weight babies, child abuse, neglect, teen pregnancy and lack of pre-natal care

· After-Care programming and support which includes transportation to medical appointments, referrals for housing, employment assistance, continued social services, emotional support, and home visits.

Bayard House is licensed to serve 14 pregnant teens and/or women at any given time in a home-like environment.  The staff consists of professional case managers, social workers and direct service personnel.  Full- and part-time staff members operate the program 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.  For over 20 years, there has existed a healthy relationship with the State’s Department of Family Services (DFS) and Bayard House has been home to pregnant minors while under the State’s guardianship.

Since its inception in 1979, Bayard House has celebrated the birth of over 700 healthy babies.  In 2004 the facility, then known as The Home of Divine Providence, merged with Catholic Charities and became known as Bayard House.

How to get help

To get help, or to get more information about the program, contact Bayard House at

300 Bayard Avenue

Wilmington, Delaware 19805

302-654-1184

Click here to send an email for more information.

If you are in crisis, call our toll-free, 24-hour pregnancy counseling at 1-877-225-7870

How You Can Help

Click here to donate to Bayard House using a credit card. You may also send a check to Catholic Charities, 2601 W 4th Street, Wilmington, DE 19805, and designate Bayard House on the check memo line.

Hold a baby food or baby clothing drive. Ask your family, friends, neighbors, or civic group to hold a “Baby Shower” and bring items new moms need for their babies, like diapers, baby wipes and other hygiene items, baby cereal and food, and clothing.

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