For 40 years, Good Counsel has been a refuge for pregnant mothers in crisis, offering them not just shelter, but a path to stability, independence, and hope. Since opening our doors in 1985, we have provided care, guidance, and a loving home to more than 8,000 mothers and their children, ensuring that no mother walks her journey alone.

To honor this milestone, we are sharing 40 stories—real stories of strength, resilience, and transformation. Each month, we will post four stories from the mothers, house managers, and caseworkers who have been part of Good Counsel’s mission, giving a glimpse into the lives forever changed by your support.

Follow along as we celebrate four decades of life-affirming work. You can read these stories on our blog at goodcounselhomes.org or by following us on Facebook @goodcounselhomes. Together, let’s continue to support mothers, save lives, and build a future filled with hope.

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Brianna's Story – Staten Island

Brianna arrived at the Staten Island Good Counsel home on June 17, 2017, cradling her tiny daughter, Elisa, in her arms. At just a couple of months old, Elisa had no idea how uncertain their future was. Brianna, still a minor herself, stepped through our doors with little more than a few belongings and an overwhelming mix of fear and hope. She didn’t know what to expect—only that she had nowhere else to turn.

Being a young, single mother felt like an impossible weight on her shoulders. She wanted to be independent, to provide for Elisa on her own, but the reality of doing so while barely out of high school seemed unattainable. She had thought about working full-time to support them, but Good Counsel saw a different path for her—one that would change everything.

At Good Counsel, Brianna found more than just a safe place to sleep. She found a family. The staff wrapped her in the kind of support she had never known, offering not just food, clothing, and diapers but also encouragement, structure, and the belief that she was capable of so much more. Life skills classes helped her prepare for adulthood, but it was the daily guidance—the unwavering presence of people who refused to let her give up—that made the difference.

Returning to school was not part of Brianna's original plan. Working felt like the only way forward. But Good Counsel pushed her to dream beyond survival. With their encouragement, she enrolled at Hanson High School, balancing classes with a part-time job at a restaurant. Every morning, when exhaustion threatened to keep her in bed, her Case Manager was there—sometimes before dawn—making sure she got up and out the door. And while Brianna worked and studied, Elisa was cared for at the home, never lacking the love and attention every child deserves.

There were days Brianna wanted to quit. Days when the weight of school, work, parenting, and house responsibilities felt too much. But she didn’t quit. Instead, she thrived. She didn’t just pass her classes—she excelled. She founded the New Comers Club at her school, creating a space where new students could find support, just as she had found at Good Counsel. She became its president, proving to herself and everyone around her that she was capable of more than she had ever imagined.

In 2019, Brianna graduated high school—with honors. The diploma in her hands was more than just a piece of paper; it was proof that she had rewritten her future.

Today, she lives independently, working and providing for Elisa, who now attends school near their home. The fear she once carried has been replaced by confidence. She often reflects on her time at Good Counsel, knowing that without the love, encouragement, and unwavering support she received, none of this would have been possible.

“Good Counsel gave me hope when I had none,” Brianna says. “They showed me I could succeed without fear of failure. And because of them, I did.”

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#GoodCounsel40Years #SupportingMothersSavingLives #40StoriesFor40Years

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