Gianna’s Place, a faith-based nonprofit serving pregnant students in Gainesville, celebrated its official launch with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the Greater Gainesville Chamber of Commerce on Monday.

The organization provides housing and other support services to single pregnant women currently enrolled in an educational program.

It’s a “starter home,” as board chair and co-founder, Chris Montrowl, called it, and currently has space for three women. The program welcomed its first resident ahead of schedule, in late August, and continues to vet referrals from community partners to fill the two remaining spaces.

“Even though there are resources available in this community [for pregnant women], housing was not an option,” Montrowl said. “We’re not going to duplicate any services; we want to work with these agencies. For those who need a living environment, we want to create a family atmosphere for these women.”

But, he adds, the home’s bedroom count will always determine the number they can serve with living arrangements. Montrowl said an outreach arm hopes to reach other pregnant students who may benefit from the community of support and life skills classes, but who don’t need housing support or may be waiting for a bedroom to become available.

“We get to be a part of this journey with these women who have decided that they want to keep their baby and they want to complete their education,” Executive Director Cindy Hooker told the crowd of board members and community partners. “Gianna’s Place is all about providing housing and resources and support to these women, from whenever they need us until they graduate.”

While they expect most women to enter the program through referrals, those who believe they meet the demographic requirements can reach out to Hooker through the website, giannasplace.org. Those in the program must be 18 or older, pregnant with their first child, enrolled in any type of higher education, and they can’t struggle with mental health or substance abuse issues. All women are interviewed prior to acceptance into the program.

The idea for the home began in 2017, when Montrowl toured a maternity home in New York. It was still on his mind years later, during COVID-19, when he consulted with his pastor and expressed that he wished he could volunteer for such a home locally. “Well, why don’t you start one?” was the pastor’s reply.

The pastor connected Montrowl and his wife, Sheryl, to Joanne Robinson, who had already started down the path of research and making connections for such a center. Together, the three set about turning the idea into reality, from applying for 501(c)(3) status to creating a board and selecting its first home. The nonprofit is named for St. Gianna, the patron saint of mothers, physicians and the unborn.

Montrowl said he hopes to expand the program as they learn more about the community’s needs and how the organization can best serve the pregnant student population. This may include purchasing a large home, or several small homes, plus all the furniture and upkeep required.