What is Cradle of Hope
Cradle of Hope is a non-profit organization which provides financial aid to pregnant women and to women with infants less than three months of age. Cradle of Hope offers one-time assistance to mothers who are ineligible for aid from other resources and need immediate help with maternity-related expenses. Assistance is granted regardless of marital status, race, religion, age, or source of income.
History
Cradle of Hope was founded in 1973 by a pregnancy care center volunteer who was concerned by the financial plight of the majority of the women she counseled. Since no financial resources existed for these women (other than government assistance, which many didn’t qualify for), she started a fund specifically for them.Cradle of Hope aid is not yet available outside of Minnesota -- women from other states who need help should call 1-800-395-HELP or 1-860-448-2990 Care Net; 1-800-866-4666 Nurturing Network; 1-866-942-6466 America’s Crisis Pregnancy Helpline; 1-888-4OPTIONS. Also - www.optionline.org
How Do Women Connect with Cradle of Hope?
Many women learn about Cradle of Hope’s motherhood fund when they go through the application process at one of the Minnesota agencies that refer to Cradle of Hope. See Referring Agencies- Counselors at the referral agencies assist women in applying for funds if they meet Cradle of Hope grant requirements.
- Others hear about Cradle of Hope from friends, family, school counselors, doctors, landlords, or listings in the Yellow Pages and United Way’s First Call for Help.
- If a woman phones Cradle of Hope directly, she is referred to a social service agency, healthcare facility or pregnancy care center in her area where her needs are assessed and alternative resources explored.
How Does Cradle of Hope Make a Decision to Give Aid?
The Cradle of Hope Funds Approval Committee carefully reviews each grant request as it is received. The principal criterion is that the woman’s financial crisis is the result of her pregnancy or her baby’s birth.- Each woman’s request is considered according to her unique circumstances and the recommendation of her counselor. If she is denied funds, Cradle of Hope networks with other organizations to try to meet her needs.
- Each woman seeking funds is asked to develop a plan showing how she can assure that her current financial crisis will not occur again and ways she plans to become self-sufficient.
- Approval is also dependent on the availability of funds.
- Some advocates have additional requirements.
(Want More Details? See our Guidelines or Criteria Pages )
How Do Women Receive Their Grants?
Cradle of Hope grants are made directly to service providers, creditors or suppliers – not to the woman or her family.PackNPlay Program - See the Safe Slumber Crib Page
About Us
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Keep up-to-date on Cradle of Hope's news by sending your e-mail to :cradleofhope@cradleofhope.org