Meet Elise Jenkins of Ella’s House

Today we’d like to introduce you to Elise Jenkins.

Elise, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
The story of Ella’s House starts in 2016 in my family’s powder room, the summer before my senior year of college. I never thought I would be 21 and pregnant. After being told for years the chemo and radiation I received as a child would leave me with zero chance of viable eggs, I believed it. I had to consider the two pink lines on my pregnancy test and took two more to be sure. As the news settled in, I was terrified that it couldn’t be done–that college degrees and motherhood were not synonymous and absolutely could not happen simultaneously. I proved myself wrong. My daughter, Ella Rae, was born eighteen days after completing my bachelor’s degree at Auburn University and is the inspiration for Ella’s House. One of my deepest beliefs is that things happen for a reason and that all experiences, even the scariest, most isolating ones, can be used for good. It’s with this belief that Ella’s House came about. A sanctuary for pregnant collegiate mothers, a community of women achieving similar goals, and a place where choosing education AND a baby is possible. I hope that women feel empowered and supported in their choice and that perhaps, even amidst fear and uncertainty—they don’t feel entirely so alone.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced?
As with any new endeavor, the road to starting Ella’s House has not been without challenges. I am beyond blessed to have a mom that not only supported me during my pregnancy but now acts as the Director of Operations for Ella’s House. With over 20 years of nonprofit experience, Susan has been invaluable in her knowledge of all things nonprofit. The pandemic certainly slowed a lot of our paperwork with the government. Nashville’s housing market made it nearly impossible to find a house that felt warm, cozy, safe, and close to campuses in Nashville. I was honestly terrified we would never find a resident director to live at Ella’s House. Again and again, things fell from the sky it seemed. Shelley, our fabulous resident director, reached out to me via a board member, our landlord is a wonderful man with many mutual friends, and the paperwork somehow sorted itself out. This experience has been one of the most exciting and nerve-wracking things I’ve done, but every time we hit a bump, we come out so much better for it.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us more about your business?
Ella’s House is a comprehensive residential respite designed to be a place of refuge during one of the most challenging times in a woman’s life. We believe the first step to helping someone is to surround them with love and dignity, and we strive each day to walk with women as they create a beautiful future for themselves and their children. As the only residential option for collegiate pregnant mother’s in Nashville, we are committed to providing housing, community, and wellness resources to the women we work with. At Ella’s House, we hope to foster a space where women can create friendships with other student moms through monthly community dinners, welcoming space to hang out and various other activities. Our goal is to offer resources and support for student-moms regardless of their needs so women can leave Ella’s House feeling hopeful, connected, and well-equipped.

Can you talk to us a bit about the role of luck?
I think most people would look at my life and see many terrible events. Cancer, being pregnant in college, and postpartum depression are a few that come to mind. I see precisely the opposite. Everything I’ve been through has prepared me for where I am today. My passion for supporting this community only exists because of the struggles I’ve seen firsthand. I am blessed to have a fantastic family, a supportive husband, two beautiful children, incredibly encouraging friends, and a business I am proud to be a part of. That’s incredible luck if you ask me!

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Website: www.ellashouse.org
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ellashouseorg/?hl=en
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ellashouseorg

Image Credits
Coley Spencer Video Jordyn Smalling