La Maison de Tom Pouce was created in 1987. It aimed to offer any pregnant woman in distress a family to welcome her, to help her settle down, take time for herself, create a bond with her child, regain her independence, and move confidently towards active life.
It is a community welcome, where young women share with others all the small gestures of daily life, learning to change a diaper, prepare a bottle, soothe their baby, and offer games and stimulation.
Through this support, an educational network is woven with specialized educators and childcare assistants, so that these women can equip themselves to later be alone, but calmly, with their child.
French classes, professional coaching workshops are also organized to help them reposition themselves in the job market or return to school, special "pregnant woman" yoga classes to help them relax, and childbirth preparation classes as well. Adapted sports are also offered.
“We try to fill their daily lives so that they are always active, but at the same time in anticipation and preparation for the arrival of their baby and gradually building their project with the educational teams,” explains Urielle Ohoukou.
A cozy cocoon where the teams stand by their side to ensure all their appointments, answer all their questions, ease their anxieties, and allow them to calmly prepare for the arrival of their child, “and collective life, family life, community life allows for that.”
The welcome is personalized according to each situation and profile. Then, depending on the evolution of each young woman, they may be directed upon exit to other maternal centers in semi-autonomy or full autonomy.
On average, 80 mothers pass through La Maison de Tom Pouce each year, along with about forty babies. Since its opening, more than 3,000 mothers and nearly 2,000 babies have been welcomed.
“I believe that our role is truly fundamental in the sense that we help these young women grow, first as women, and also as mothers in parallel. And this creates young women who will be much more confident, much more balanced, and who will be able to raise children who will shape the society of tomorrow,” concludes Urielle Ohoukou.
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