Student dreams of helping unwed mothers

By Cindy Landrum  

APRIL 20, 2012 8:36 a.m. (9)

What started out as a response to a disturbing dream by a then sixth-grade student could turn into a home for unwed mothers in Greenville.

After Claire Capelle woke up crying from a dream about abortions being performed in her family’s basement, she decided to organize a walk to raise money for Birthright, a nonprofit independent interdenominational organization that helps women through unplanned pregnancies.

That year, she raised about $7,000 with her “Babies World Walk.”

The walk has continued, raising about $40,000 total through this year’s event, held last month at St. Mary’s Magdalene Catholic Church in Simpsonville.

But Capelle, now a senior at St. Joseph’s Catholic School, decided she wanted to do more. With the help of her mother, Kim, and some other adults, Capelle decided she could.

She intends to start a home for unwed mothers who want to keep their babies.

“I am one of 10 children,” Capelle said, “and I can’t imagine taking any one of them out of my family.”

The St. Clare’s Home of Joyful Hope would have room for 10 mothers who are 18 years or older and have up to two other children. The mothers and their children would be allowed to stay in the house for up to two years after having their babies, Capelle said.

While there, the mothers would be taught parenting and job skills so they can support their children, she said.

Capelle said the bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Charleston said the home, which has received an endorsement from Catholic Charities, could be a model for others across the state.

“The home will let them have their babies,” Capelle said. “Mothers shouldn’t have to resort to aborting their babies because of what they would be born into.”

Capelle said some unwed mothers get kicked out of the house when their parents find out they are pregnant and have nowhere to go.

Capelle said St. Clare’s Home of Joyful Hope has received nonprofit status and has a business plan in place. All it needs, Capelle said, is a facility and a staff to run it.

This year’s Babies World Walk raised about $4,500, all of which but $500 will go toward the home.

Capelle said she plans to major in nursing at the University of South Carolina and would like to come back to Greenville to work at the home.

“We’re just going to keep praying and keep working,” she said.

Her sister, Katie, a freshman at St. Joseph’s, will take over coordinating the walk while Claire is away at college.

“The next kid in line will take over,” she said. “We want to keep it going.”

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Linda   |2012-05-11 03:13:15 God Bless you I amtaking care of the elderly at this point and my mother and also I am disabled. If and when my mother goes to be with the lord I plan to bring in foster or unwed mothers to my home to help them. I was an un wed mother myself. It was very hard. With the love of God we made it, but when I was much younger I was forced to abort and I still celabrate the birthday every year and cannot wait to see my child in heaven. Reply

Christine Asaro  - Accountant   |2012-09-16 18:39:16 I have a home available. 4 bedroom two bath in southern California. it is good repair, safe neighborhood. My goal is to move out, I have no need of all this room. I would like this home to be used for women like myself when I was young, pregnant and alone. I could use some advise on how to make this happen. Please contact me Reply

Claire Capelle   |2012-11-06 20:33:58 I just became aware of this post! Please contact me and we can talk further about this home. We are hopefully going to expand this within the state and then possibly move out of the state. Thanks for answering! Reply

mo dilly   |2013-02-20 03:46:15 hi claire. my son, paul, and caroline are in the same class at POP. i recently read about St. Clare's Home in the SMMCC bulletin and found your site. can i help in any way? Reply

Kim Capelle  - Planning Committee Member - St. Clare's Home   |2013-02-20 08:36:11 Hi Mo, This is Kim. We are actually needing help setting up for a fund raiser on this Sunday at 12:00 noon at OLR Church. We are also doing Babies World Walk on Sunday March 17 from 1-3 at St. Mary Magdalene that we could use help or donations of baked items. Could you help with any of those? I'll also remember your artistic skills for future reference! Blessings, Kim Reply

Sue Langan   |2013-03-19 08:55:40 HiClaire/Kim. Our St Joe's household would be interested in helping out at St. Clare's in May for the St. Joseph's the Worker Day if you would have work for 18 boys? Please let me know who I should contact if you think this would be a good thing. Thank you. sue Reply

Kim Capelle  - reply   |2013-03-20 08:06:33 HI Sue, Thanks so much for your kind offer. Unfortunately, St. Clare's Home isn't built yet:) We are hoping to start construction in about 2 years or so. Right now we are in the fund raising stage. Check back in two years and we will happily accept your offer! Kim Reply

dawn   |2013-06-06 07:22:40 I want to do the same thing but dont know how to get started Reply

Claire Capelle   |2013-06-06 18:42:30 Hello Dawn! The first step when we saw how needed a home like this was for the community, was finding a committee that also had the same feelings. The ideas from those committee meetings really started the reality of the situation. I would love to talk further with you! If your interested, my email is capellec@email.sc.edu. Please feel free to email any questions you may have. Reply

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