Today we’d like to introduce you to Kelsi Green.
Hi Kelsi, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
Mother’s Refuge was founded in 1987 by a group of concerned Kansas City-area citizens who recognized that pregnant teenagers in local school districts had few safe housing options or supportive resources. Mother’s Refuge subsequently became a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and continues to operate its original maternity home in Independence, Missouri. Initially, Mother’s Refuge focused on providing pregnant young women with a safe, nurturing home, nutritious meals, clothing, and other basic necessities. As the needs of young mothers became more complex, the organization expanded its services to include individualized case management, mental health counseling, healthcare coordination, parenting education, life-skills instruction, transportation, and educational and employment support.
In 2021, Mother’s Refuge expanded its Aftercare Program to provide continued support after residents transition into the community. In 2022, we launched our Transitional Living Program to address the growing need for affordable housing and provide young families with a bridge from crisis to independence. Today, Mother’s Refuge provides a comprehensive, trauma-informed continuum of care for homeless, pregnant, and parenting young mothers and their children, helping families achieve health, stability, and long-term self-sufficiency.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Mother’s Refuge’s journey has not always been easy. The greatest challenge has always been the growing need in our community. In 2025 alone, we received 1,246 crisis calls from young women seeking help. Of those, 967 qualified for our residential programs, yet many had to be placed on a waiting list or referred elsewhere simply because we did not have enough space to serve them. That is one of the hardest realities of our work—knowing that every phone call represents a young mother and baby in crisis, and that we cannot always say “yes.”
We’ve also faced challenges that tested our resilience in unexpected ways. In 2012, a devastating fire severely damaged the interior of our maternity home, forcing us to temporarily relocate residents while the building was rebuilt. Thanks to an incredible outpouring of support from our community, we were able to restore the home and continue providing a safe place for young mothers and their babies.
Rather than allowing those setbacks to define us, they have inspired us to grow.
Today, we are expanding through our Welcome Home project, which will significantly increase our capacity so that more young mothers have a safe place to call home. We are transforming a former boutique hotel into 12 independent living apartments for our Transitional Living Program. Every challenge has reinforced our belief that these families deserve hope, stability, and the opportunity to build a brighter future—and we remain committed to making sure more of them can find it at Mother’s Refuge.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Mother’s Refuge?
Mother’s Refuge is more than a shelter—we are a place where young mothers and their children can rebuild their lives together. For nearly 40 years, we have provided safe housing, hope, and comprehensive support to pregnant and parenting young women experiencing homelessness and crisis.
What sets us apart is our long-term, two-generation approach. We don’t simply provide a bed for the night. We walk alongside each family, addressing both immediate needs and the root causes of homelessness. Through our three pillars of shelter, healthcare, and education, residents receive stable housing, access to medical and mental health services, parenting education, life skills, workforce development, and educational support. By investing in both mother and child, we help break generational cycles of poverty, instability, and trauma.
Our programs are designed to meet families where they are. Our Maternity Home serves pregnant and parenting young women ages 12–21, while our Transitional Living Program supports mothers ages 18 and older as they work toward long-term independence. Families can remain with us long enough to earn diplomas or degrees, secure employment, build savings, and transition into permanent housing with the tools they need to thrive.
What we are most proud of is the transformation we witness every day. Young women who once had nowhere to go become confident mothers, graduates, employees, homeowners, and leaders in their communities. Those success stories are only possible because of a community that believes every mother and every child deserves the opportunity to succeed.
As the need for our services continues to grow, so does our commitment. Through our Welcome Home expansion, Mother’s Refuge is increasing its capacity to serve even more families, ensuring that more young mothers have a safe place to call home and the support they need to build a brighter future. In November of 2026, we will celebrate the opening of our Higher Ground facility. This new building will have 12 apartments, offices, a playground, indoor playroom, and community gathering space to host events.
Alright so before we go can you talk to us a bit about how people can work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
There are so many meaningful ways to get involved with Mother’s Refuge. Financial support allows us to provide safe housing, nutritious meals, counseling, healthcare, educational support, and life-changing resources for young mothers and their children. We also rely on generous donations of essential items, from diapers and formula to household goods that help families transition into permanent housing.
Volunteers are another vital part of our mission. Individuals, businesses, faith communities, and civic groups can organize donation drives, help us maintain our homes, mentor residents, or sponsor special events and holiday celebrations. Corporate partners can also make a lasting impact through sponsorships, employee volunteer days, and in-kind donations.
Perhaps the most valuable way to support Mother’s Refuge is simply by helping others learn about our mission. Every time someone shares our story, refers a young mother in need, or introduces us to a potential partner, they become part of creating brighter futures for families experiencing homelessness.
To learn more, volunteer, donate, or partner with us, visit www.mothersrefuge.org. Together, we can ensure that every young mother has the opportunity to build a safe, stable future for herself and her child.
Pricing:
- $5 provide one pack of baby wipes
- $25 provides one hour of dedicated onsite support and guidance for a new mom and baby
- $50 gives a mom a twin bedding set of her choice to create her own personal sanctuary
- $75 covers one day of safe travel for moms and babies in our maternity home.
- $500 “hosts” a baby shower! Provide all starting essentials for an expecting mother.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.MothersRefuge.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mothers.refuge
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mothersrefuge
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@mothers.refuge
