There's no place like home for Malta House

After 22 years at 5 Prowitt Street, Malta House is packing their belongings and planning to move to their new home at 139 West Rocks Road after an extensive building renovation resulting from a $4.5MM capital campaign.

Says founder, Michael O’Rourke, “Twenty-five years ago, my wife AC and I had a dream to open a home for homeless, pregnant women and their babies. This dream came after our beautiful son was born after 17 years of marriage and never-ending prayers for a child. We were so grateful to God for the greatest blessing of our lives and set out to ensure that every mother is given the chance to experience this same blessing and gift of bringing life to this world. The Good Lord had given us our miracle son, so it just made sense that my wife and I should help provide miracles for other women with no room at the inn… because there was no inn in Connecticut.”

The new home, a former convent on the campus of All Saint’s School in Norwalk, will allow Malta House to expand its capacity by 50%, provide more classroom space, offices and bedrooms, a spacious nursery, family suites that allow them to welcome a mother with two children, a beautiful Chapel for reflection, prayer, adoration, and Mass, and open space for fresh air and playtime for the little ones.

Malta House will celebrate the move to their new home and their life-changing work with a hybrid in-person and virtual gala on May 7, 2021, at Woodway Country Club, Darien. Honorees of There’s no place like home gala are the “MH2 Dream Team” – Board Vice-chair John Altieri; Chris Anspach, builder; Frank Chapman, architect; Altieri, Sebor and Wieber; the Diocese of Bridgeport, and others who worked tirelessly on the 18-month construction and renovation of the new home. Guests will be able to purchase tickets for remote “live streaming” and participate in the event from the comfort of their own home, or they may purchase tickets to join the event in person. Attendees will enjoy a cocktail hour, paddle raise, and dinner.

Founded in 1998, Malta House is truly unique in the state of Connecticut, and one of only about 400 maternity homes throughout the country. They provide wrap-around, supportive services in a loving home environment for up to 18 months for both mothers and their babies. This includes support in core areas of parenting, childcare, health and nutrition, budgeting and finance, employment coaching, education, individual therapy, and spirituality. Says Carey Dougherty, Executive Director, “Our network of active and dedicated volunteers allows us to extend the love and support we provide, modeling healthy relationships based on treating others as Christ teaches us. We are also unique in that we continue to support our families who transition to independent living in order to ensure their continued and long-term stability. We say, ‘Once a Malta House mom, always a Malta House mom’, and we strive to forever serve as a loving, healthy family for our mothers and their children.”

Though founded upon and guided by their Catholic faith, Malta House’s doors are open to any homeless, pregnant, or parenting woman who needs a “room at the Inn.”