Two Men and a Truck’s Movers for Moms is a nationwide campaign that impacts local communities.

“We as individual franchises get to pick the charity that we want to benefit from the campaign,” said Alyssa Watts of Fraser and coordinator for Two Men and a Truck Macomb.

She and her team have been collecting donations for Gianna House in Eastpointe since March. By the time the campaign ends on May 5, they expect to have a truckload of items for the facility that provides shelter and support for at-risk pregnant young mothers-to-be and mothers with newborn children who are experiencing homelessness, domestic violence, trauma and poverty.

Watts said they chose Gianna House because they empower single mothers and their children to transition from crisis to self-sufficiency through resident housing and community outreach.

“Their story and how they’re helping single mothers was touching,” Watts said. “They’re not giving them handouts but teaching them valuable life skills so they can help themselves.”

Gianna House was a dream come true for Sister Diane Masson, who worked with architects, contractors and those interested in helping to secure the funding required for the massive renovations of St. Veronica Parish Convent that once served as a residence for the Sisters of St. Joseph.

No one was more passionate about the project than Sister Diane.

She saw the need to provide a home for pregnant youth who were choosing life but lacked the resources and support needed to bring their child to birth and in the summer of 2015 founded Gianna House.

It started out as a community outreach program for low-income mothers of any age.

Imagine expecting your first child and having nothing ready for the baby’s arrival. No clothes. No diapers. No car seat or stroller and no celebration heralding the baby’s arrival in the world.

Gianna House filled that void with joy, baby showers and whatever was needed.

Over time, the program steadily grew and after four years of attaining the necessary paperwork, permits, licenses, staff and board of directors, Gianna House’s pregnancy and parenting residency officially opened its doors.

“Currently, we have four moms and two babies residing at Gianna House and soon we will be able to provide housing for up to nine moms and nine babies,” said Joella Bush, executive director of Gianna House. “Each of them is on a unique journey, but all are working toward a brighter, more stable future for themselves and their babies. Our home is filled with laughter, learning and love. Our staff and volunteers walk alongside every mom with compassion and care.”

The young women, between the ages of 18 and 25, who have their own room and an adjoining room for their child, receive mentoring for up to one year upon transition into independent living.

During their stay they are provided with a variety of services during their stay including access to online education to complete high school or other training and transportation to local community resources, medical appointments, field trips and spiritual services of their choosing.

In addition to the residential program there’s the Community Outreach Program offering help to mothers in the surrounding communities through parenting workshops, support groups, job readiness and special programs. Moms who attend workshops and parenting classes for example get Baby Bucks, which they can redeem for essential items such as diapers, wipes, formula, car seats, clothing and even essentials for themselves.

“We believe in helping our moms learn the value of responsibility, effort and dignity. It’s about shifting the mindset from simply receiving to earning while learning,” Bush said, noting every mom they serve, whether through residency or outreach, is reminded that she is worthy, capable and not alone.

“When our community joins us and works together to invest in these phenomenal women we all rise together,” added Bush, who is honored and thrilled that Two Men and a Truck Macomb chose Gianna House as its charity of choice. “This partnership is incredibly special to us because it beautifully aligns with the heart of our mission and it reflects the very heart of what we do — empowering women in challenging circumstances with the support and resources they need to rise.”

All of the donations made to the Two Men and a Truck Make Your Mother Proud campaign go directly to help the moms and babies at Gianna House.

So far, dozens of businesses have set aside space for the donation of items.

Among the items needed are:

• Clothing for newborns to 12 months

• Diapers

• Pull Ups (2T-6T)

• Laundry detergent (Free n Clean)

• Towels, washcloths and sponges

• Women and children’s hygiene products and socks

• Similac Advanced Baby Formula

• Gift cards (Kroger and Amazon).

Gianna House also has a salon that provides a service and training for residents who might wish to become hair stylists, so some people are donating items just for that.

“The response from the community has been amazing,” said Watts.

Sister Diane, who died in 2017, had pretty high expectations for Gianna House. Her dream was not only to create a place where young women facing crisis pregnancies and homelessness could find shelter but also healing, guidance, acceptance and hope for a better future. Bush believes her heart would be full to see her vision is alive and thriving.

“I imagine she would smile and say, ‘This is exactly what I prayed for,’” said Bush. “She would be deeply moved to know that the heart of Gianna House has never changed, we are still at our core a place of love, respect and transformation.”