Hannah House
An interview with Director Cindy Crawford
Many pregnant girls have been helped by Hannah House. Director Cindy Crawford shared with
River Valley Web her excitement over recent expansions as well as opportunities and plans for
future growth.
"We now offer help to any troubled girl age 12 - 29, whether she is pregnant or not. A desire for
a life-style change is the only thing we ask. We provide residential assistance to girls and young
women in crisis situations," Ms. Crawford says.
According to Ms. Crawford, some of the girls are court-ordered to come to Hannah House for
help, but sometimes individuals or families request assistance as well. "The girls must be willing
to tell me, 'I'd rather come to Hannah House than go to jail,' before we will allow them to join us
here. If they are not interested in a life-style change, we cannot help them," Ms. Crawford continues.
The girls are expected to maintain an orderly schedule which begins at 7:30 AM with showers,
breakfast, and chores. 10:00 - 11:30 AM M-F is Bible study with different local Bible teachers
providing teaching. "We're a Christian organization, and we study the Bible every day," Ms
Crawford adds.
The girls rotate lunch prep, doing some of the cooking themselves, and setting the table for lunch.
After lunch, the girls clear the table and assist with clean-up. Afternoons provide time for
counseling for the girls, and chores such as laundry. Certified teachers come in the afternoons
also. Most teachers are volunteers, and many of them are retired. They provide a junior or senior
high school accredited program and an in-house GED.
The evening schedule offers recreational time for the girls. The current schedule is ceramics on
Tuesdays, church on Wednesdays, games on Thursdays, and G or PG-rated videos on Fridays.
Once a girl has her baby she is provided help on a transitional basis. Hannah House will pay rent
for the girl until the baby is six weeks old. Then the girl is expected to go to work or to school.
If working she must help with rent. However part of the money the girl provides for rent is put
back into a savings account for her, to assist her when she is completely on her own.
Hannah House has six paid staff members and many volunteers. Funding is provided through
churches, individuals, and program grants. Volunteers are needed to assist with cooking,
cleaning, office work, and gardening.
I asked Cindy Crawford to sum up in a couple sentences Hannah House's greatest need. Ms.
Crawford says, "Our greatest need is for prayer. Pray for our future expansion. We have so
many great opportunities ahead of us."
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