Vida Medical Clinic and Support Services will celebrate the opening of Trinity House, the Fox Valley’s first transitional residential maternity home, with a ribbon cutting ceremony and housewarming from 1-3 p.m. on July 25. Trinity House is located at W2613 Barney Ct., Appleton, Wis.
The public and members of the media are invited to the ribbon cutting ceremony (happening at 1 p.m.) and housewarming to learn more about this free transitional residential housing program for pregnant women and new moms, tour the campus, meet staff and celebrate this expansion of Vida’s nonprofit work.
The first-of-its-kind in the Fox Valley, Vida Trinity House is expected to welcome residents in early fall 2023 and meet the growing need for stable, safe housing for pregnant women and new moms who are at-risk for homelessness. With a shortage of affordable and transitional housing available in the region, housing has become an increasingly difficult problem for individuals to solve and can be a barrier to improving quality of life, health and overall well-being for individuals and families.
“Combined with free integrated programming and services through Vida, Trinity House will be a place of love, growth and empowerment,” Vida Executive Director Anne Tretinyak said. “Women will be a part of a safe, loving community that promotes their optimal health and helps to prevent early childhood trauma. They will participate in life-changing programming that builds career and relational skills, and they will receive support to improve the trajectory of their lives and the lives of their children.”
The Trinity House property was purchased by Vida in March 2023 and has been undergoing renovations in preparation for its opening. The two buildings on the property feature individual bedrooms and bathrooms for each resident/mother and their child or children, a common kitchen, dining room and living space for group activities, play rooms, laundry facilities and a large yard. The program will be able house and serve up to 8-12 women at a time. Volunteers have donated more than 2000 hours in service to assist with property renovations and preparations for Trinity House’s opening, and more than two dozen local and regional businesses have gifted time, labor and materials to support the renovation and project.
Pregnant women and women who have recently given birth will be welcome at Trinity House. Residents can stay in programming during pregnancy and for a time after giving birth that correlates with important infant developmental milestones. Programming will equip and empower residents with pregnancy and parenting support and education on topics such as childbirth, nutrition, financial planning, life skills and healthy relationships. Program staff will also assist residents with career and education development. Transportation will be provided to/from medical appointments and other appointments related to accessing community resources. Vida Medical Clinic nurses will also assist with labor and delivery instruction and lactation consultation. Material support including free diapers, clothing, strollers, cribs, highchairs, etc. will also be available to residents.
“Our maternity home will provide a welcoming, fully furnished and family-oriented environment, where every woman and child is unconditionally loved and their inherent value recognized and respected,” Tretinyak said. “By integrating our free medical and social support services programming directly into our maternity housing program, we aim to have our residents achieve better outcomes for both maternal and infant long-term health and well-being.”
Following a resident’s stay in the maternity home, they will be encouraged to continue to engage and utilize the free services and programs already offered by Vida.
During recent years, Vida has served thousands of women, men and families from across the Fox Valley and northeast Wisconsin. Vida’s main center is located at 720 W. Association Dr., Appleton. All Vida services and programs are provided free of charge to patients and clients. Services include pregnancy testing; ultrasound imaging; Pap, pelvic and breast exams; STD testing and treatment; lactation consultation; sports physicals; support services to pregnant women and parents of infants and young children; post-abortion support and healing; onsite childcare; material support through an onsite store with diapers, clothes, baby items, and more; and community outreach through a sexual education and integrity program.
“For more than 40 years, Vida has walked with women, men and families facing an unexpected pregnancy or challenges related to parenting young children,” Tretinyak said. “It is a privilege to expand our services and scope to further journey with them by providing free transitional housing and life-changing programming at Trinity House.”
For information about the maternity home addition and Vida, visit www.vidamedicalclinic.org/maternity-home.
For more information about the Housewarming, visit www.friendsofvida.org/housewarming/.
If unable to attend the housewarming and ribbon cutting on July 25, Vida is also hosting open houses of Trinity House on:
- Wednesday, July 26, 10 a.m.-Noon and 4-7 p.m.
- Tuesday, August 1, 4-7 p.m.
- Wednesday, August 2, 10 a.m.-Noon
The public are welcome to stop by for a tour and refreshments during any of the open house dates as well. (RSVPs are not requested for open house events on July 26, August 1, or August 2.)
