Two Bald Guys...
Most organizations that help single moms don’t start their story with “Two bald guys walk into a restaurant…”, but ours does. Mike Hentges was greatly involved in pro-life activities including the March for Life in Washington D.C. On the bus ride home in 2003, God gave him a very important question to answer...
"if the law were changed today and abortion was illegal, how many women would need help bringing their child into the world? As the law stands today, how many women need our help now?"
Mike was convicted, but not convinced.
Over the next few years, these questions lingered in his heart. In 2006, Mike went on the same bus ride and the idea developed into having a house where women could go to get their family on the right track after choosing life for their child. Finally, in 2009, God’s call to do something was undeniable. Mike confided in his friend, Steve Smith, during a lunch prayer meeting and Steve responded with, “What are we waiting for, let’s go!”
Mike was convinced he had to do something to get started. For the next year, the Mike and Steve began contacting local agencies to offer whatever support filled a gap in services. They did everything from fill propane tanks to mentoring. The vision became a reality when the SRS House in Jefferson City opened in 2012, followed by Columbia in 2014. As the organization has grown, there is no doubt that God’s hand has guided it. They are grateful for being trusted with this mission and look forward to expanding our reach to mid-Missouri.
Our Name...
Mike wanted to honor his parents, Ray and Marilyn Hentges. While Mike was an unplanned pregnancy in a family of 4 children already, they brought him into the world with love. Mike wondered if there ever was a Saint Raymond, so he googled "Saint Raymond". To his surprise, Saint Raymond is the patron saint of unborn babies, newborn babies, and expectant mothers. And so the organization was named.
Vision
Saving lives by empowering mothers.
Mission
Partnering with new and expectant mothers to build a thriving future for themselves and their families.
The goal of self-sufficiency is possible through a coaching program focusing on:
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Education
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Parenting skills
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Financial literacy
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Occupation
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Transportation
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Housing
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Health & Wholeness (Mind, Body, & Spirit)
Programs
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St. Raymond’s House: We have a 17 room home in Columbia where women and their children may live while they participate in our comprehensive self-sufficiency program. This is typically a year-long commitment in which they will receive individualized coaching, accountability, and support.
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We also have a home in Jefferson City that will serve as our transitional home for women who choose adoption process.
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Community Client Program: For mothers who have stable housing but need help improving their self-sufficiency skills, we offer a 12-week program that includes one on one coaching, accountability, and access to classes and events at the St. Raymond’s House.
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Temporary Assistance: Recognizing that otherwise independent families sometimes face emergency situations like job loss or health crises, we assist with making community resource connections, providing necessities like baby items, diapers, personal hygiene products, and have limited funds available for one-time rent/utility assistance.