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Phoenix shelter provides fresh start for pregnant women, new mothers

Posted at 7:19 AM, May 15, 2017
and last updated 2017-05-15 10:19:16-04

For now, this is home for Celena Hubbard: Maggie's Place in Phoenix. It's an organization that provides housing and support for pregnant women and their newborn.

This is where life starts over.

"Getting pregnant with my daughter really gave me a reason to really look back at my life and say, 'Where do you want to go with it?'" says Hubbard.

Hubbard is a recovering drug addict and says her substance abuse was a bandage for life. 

"I didn't want to have to deal with the emotions and the pain and the heartache," she said.

But now, things are different. She's here with other women who are facing similar situations.

Maggie's Place opened 17 years ago this month. To date, the organization has helped about 800 women see life differently.

"We don't want them to feel isolated and we know that's a common problem with people facing poverty," says Julie Carlberg with Maggie's Place.

Typically, a new mom stays five to six months but can stay longer. They're given about every tool possible to start over and even when they leave, those resources are available to them for life.

The need though is so great Maggie's Place has to turn down 70 women a week.

Hubbard is just grateful she got this second chance.

"There is hope," Hubbard said.

Maggie's Place is hoping to expand in the Valley and open a home in Tucson.