Who We Are
Our Mission
PREPARES is a nurturing response of the Catholic community, open to all, to provide meaningful, local and unconditional support to Washington mothers, fathers, and families as they nurture their children through pregnancy and early childhood. Our vision is that a mom or family can come to any Catholic community in the state and be served.
Our History
PREPARES is a statewide initiative of the Catholic Bishops of Washington State which was launched in October of 2014 at the Cornerstone Conference sponsored by the Washington State Catholic Conference. The Bishops of the state announced that their new initiative would support church communities to reach out to and accompany pregnant women and families with children under the age of five. When PREPARES was created, the hope was that by building a collective network of support led by volunteers working in conjunction with Catholic Charities, PREPARES could reach more families who have been left on the margins. With each succeeding year, PREPARES has consistently expanded the network of active church communities and their outreach to families in need.
How we work
PREPARES offers a wide range of support to pregnant women and families with children up to the age of five. Our services are free of charge and are open to people of all faiths and backgrounds.
PREPARES is parish-based ministry, comprised of a collaborative network of volunteers. We address essential needs and develop supportive, nurturing relationships that walk the journey with families within our communities.
Our volunteers devote time in support of the families we serve. Some get involved indirectly by helping with diaper drives, collecting donations, and holding fundraisers. Some choose to have a more personal relationship with the families we serve and become trained companions.
Where We Are
PREPARES offers local, parish-based programs led by volunteers. At the start of 2023, we have a total of 169 engaged parishes statewide. The numbers on the map below indicate the number of PREPARES communities in each county.
Families may connect with their PREPARES in their area by contacting their regional PREPARES office. This will ensure that families are provided with the most updated contact information for their local PREPARES community.
FAQs
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We offer our services at no cost.
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You do not have to be Catholic to receive help from PREPARES. We are committed to providing support to all Washington mothers, fathers, and families through pregnancy and early childhood.
