About Us
OUR HISTORY
The first Mom’s House was founded in Johnstown in 1983 to provide single parents, particularly women facing abuse and unplanned pregnancies, with a compassionate, supportive, and practical alternative to abortion, poverty, and long-term welfare dependency. The organization was created on the belief that with support, education, and opportunity, single parents can overcome challenging circumstances and build brighter futures for themselves and their children.
The vision of helping single parents achieve independence while ensuring their children receive high-quality care has proven remarkably successful. What began as one local program has grown into an internationally recognized model, inspiring seven Mom’s Houses currently operating across four states, with additional locations in development. Mom’s House received a Registered Service Mark from the U.S. Patent Office, further establishing its unique identity and mission. In recognition of its outstanding service to others, George W. Bush named Mom’s House the 786th recipient of the prestigious Points of Light Award.
Mom’s House combines a strong network of family support services with a high-quality childcare and early education program. Parents entering the program commit to continuing their education as full-time high school students, post-secondary students, or participants in job training programs. Through a written agreement, each parent agrees to maintain passing grades and contribute three hours of service each week in exchange for free childcare, counseling, tutoring, advocacy, and ongoing encouragement from staff and community partners.
At its core, Mom’s House is dedicated to empowering parents to recognize their strengths, set realistic goals, and achieve lasting success. Through compassionate guidance and individualized support, staff members help parents develop self-discipline, resilience, and confidence both as individuals and as caregivers. This growth fosters greater self-esteem, stronger parenting skills, and increased independence. By nurturing both parent and child, Mom’s House creates opportunities for families to break cycles of hardship and build stable, hope-filled futures.
OUR ACCREDITATION
Recognizing a growing need for a compassionate and innovative nonprofit dedicated to supporting single parents as they work toward self-sufficiency and long-term success, Mom’s House, Inc. of Johnstown was established to provide practical solutions, meaningful support, and hope for families facing significant challenges. The organization was founded on the belief that single parents should not have to choose between caring for their children and pursuing education or job training. By removing barriers and offering comprehensive support, Mom’s House empowers parents to continue their education, build career pathways, and create brighter futures for themselves and their children.
Over the years, Mom’s House has continued to grow and strengthen its impact through the dedication of its Board of Directors, staff, volunteers, donors, and community partners. The organization’s success is rooted in a shared commitment to serving families with compassion, dignity, and respect. With the helping hands of an extraordinary community, Mom’s House has expanded its reach and enhanced its programs to meet the evolving needs of children and families throughout the region. Each success story reflects the power of community support and the life-changing opportunities created when families are given the resources to thrive.
Since 2009, Mom’s House has proudly maintained a STARS 4 rating through Pennsylvania Keystone STARS, the highest level in Pennsylvania’s Quality Rating and Improvement System. Achieving and sustaining this distinction demonstrates the organization’s unwavering dedication to continuous quality improvement and excellence in early childhood education. This accomplishment reflects the hard work, professionalism, and dedication of the Board of Directors, leadership team, staff, parents, and community supporters who work together to ensure children receive the highest quality care and learning experiences.
In 2021, Mom’s House achieved accreditation from the prestigious National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), one of the most respected organizations in the field of early childhood education. NAEYC promotes high-quality early learning for children from birth through age eight by connecting research, best practices, policy, and professional standards. Accreditation through NAEYC is a rigorous process requiring programs to demonstrate excellence across all areas of operation, including curriculum, teaching practices, family engagement, leadership, and health and safety.
Earning NAEYC accreditation places Mom’s House among the nation’s highest-quality early childhood programs and serves as a powerful symbol of excellence. This recognition confirms that the center provides exceptional educational experiences led by highly qualified professionals in a safe, nurturing, and developmentally appropriate environment. More importantly, it reflects Mom’s House’s commitment to fostering each child’s social-emotional, cognitive, and physical development while supporting the well-being and success of the entire family. Through quality education, compassionate care, and unwavering community support, Mom’s House continues to transform lives and build stronger families for generations to come.
OUR MISSION
Our Mission
Our mission is to empower single parents and their children by providing a safe, nurturing, and non-judgmental environment built on hope, dignity, support, and opportunity. We are committed to delivering high-quality childcare and early education for children from infancy through school age in a secure, loving, and developmentally appropriate setting. Through meaningful and engaging learning experiences, we foster each child’s social-emotional, physical, and cognitive growth while inspiring a lifelong love of learning. By supporting families with compassion, resources, and encouragement, we strengthen their ability to build brighter futures and cultivate a community grounded in caring, service, and selflessness.