Days 14 through 25 - Jaiden's Place

I met Philicia Baugh-Smith last year while working on our company's Trident United Way employee giving campaign.  Philicia came to share her story, and how she benefited through Trident United Way's support of the Florence Crittenden Program.  

Located in downtown Charleston, Florence Crittenton Programs has been serving the entire state of South Carolina for 114 years. We provide education, counseling services, medical care, social support, and a safe haven for young pregnant and parenting mothers in need. After completing our program, our clients have the skills to become responsible parents and members of the community. We all benefit as they become self-sufficient, responsible mothers, and their babies grow up happy, healthy, loved, and safe.

While talking to Philicia, I learned of her plans to create a transitional home for homeless mothers with newborn babies.  Jaiden's Place was founded last year and aids in the transition "from circumstance to second chance."  Jaiden’s Place offers temporary housing for a maximum of 3 women with infants (six weeks old or younger at admittance) for a period of time no greater than nine months. In addition to housing, residents are provided with comprehensive services that include food, clothing, baby items, transportation, counseling, educational programs and life skills training services.

Counseling programs include individual and group therapy, parenting classes, finance management, health and nutrition education, stress reduction, Bible study, various arts and crafts projects and more. Volunteers and licensed professionals from the community conduct these programs.

In addition, GED Preparation Classes are offered, with instructional and study groups held several times per week. Mock testing and fees are paid for one test administration.

In home childcare is provided by volunteers as a service for mothers and a night attendant provides assistance and support to new mothers and infants.

Philicia is amazing...she is from New York, but grew up in Mount Pleasant.  She is a product of single parenting, poverty, and uncertainty. After living in a group home for unwed mothers for several months, Philicia gave birth to her first child at the age of 16. She made a promise to her son that his life would be more certain than hers. She began her educational journey by taking evening GED classes – with her son. Later she earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Science from Springfield College, MA and a Master’s Degree in Science from Troy University, AL. A wife and mother of three, she is currently pursuing an Ed.D in Education from Liberty University. 

Over the years Philicia has been an advocate in the prevention of teen pregnancy – public speaking, mentoring, and blogging. Philicia’s vision for Jaiden’s Place awoke her in the middle of the night. For days she was plagued by one question, “Where do homeless mothers go after they give birth?” Having worked in homeless shelters, groups homes, and with foster children her answer was clear – Jaiden’s Place!

With a place of rescue named after her daughter (Jaiden Zanijah Lavern Smith), Philicia's personal mission is clear - To break the cycle of homelessness, single parenting, and teen pregnancy- starting with self.