East Dundee fire department builds ties with new maternity home

East Dundee Fire Protection District Fire Inspector Kanen Terry and Fire Marshal Marc Quattrocchi recently paid a visit to East Dundee’s Redeeming Life maternity house with tool kit in hand to install a Knox Box.

This small metal box holds a key to the home and is accessible to emergency personnel to gain entry to the home more quickly and with minimal damage when time is of the essence.

Redeeming Life, a maternity home for pregnant and postpartum women, offers a home, help and hope with stable housing and targeted programming to help women build independent lives.

Staff at the new nonprofit were grateful for the help from East Dundee Fire Protection District. Residential manager Edna Parker was there as Quattrocchi and Terry not only brought the device but also took the time to install it.

Quattrocchi became acquainted with the maternity home in 2024 during its renovation and visited several times to help staff make sure the home was as safe as possible.

In his role with the fire protection district, Quattrocchi’s duties include inspections of various types of buildings, giving him insight into potential dangers that the average citizen might not foresee.

“In my job, I see potential dangers and work to minimize them as much as possible to keep our residents and businesses safe,” Quattrocchi said. “We are a smaller district, and we are pleased to be involved with local organizations on the front end. We would rather get to know them well and work together to safeguard them from fire emergencies than to meet them with sirens blaring and hoses spraying.”

“I’m not from East Dundee, but I love this small-town feel where the fire department makes time to come over and meet with us,” Parker said. “Not only did they install this box that will give them quicker access if there is an emergency, they also talked through some of our emergency plans and made some great suggestions.”

Inspector Terry was visiting the home for the first time but was encouraged to hear the organization serves women who need assistance.

“East Dundee is a great town and I hope this maternity home feels welcome. Our fire district is happy to install this Knox Box and keep everyone as safe as we can,” Terry shared.

Redeeming Life’s local program manager Sarah Rusche agreed with Parker. “I am completely new to this area and love getting to know people in East Dundee and surrounding areas. We have met so many great people who want to partner with us to help women in need.”

The maternity home calls nearby Immanuel Lutheran Church of East Dundee its close partner, but has also met people in the community who want to help. One local grandmother heard about the mission and called to offer many baby items, while others have stepped up to do lawn mowing and snow removal.

Director of Mission Advancement Julia Heinz is not surprised by this local support.

“I have lived in East Dundee for 26 years. Our village has that small hometown feel and everyone with the village has been helpful — the fire department, the police department and the folks who work in the village hall too. We are excited to be open to serve women in the Chicagoland area and want to be a resource in the community. We’re so thankful to be located in East Dundee.”

To learn more about Redeeming Life’s maternity home or to apply for housing, visit www.rlom.org or call (407) 790-9745.

Redeeming Life Outreach Ministries offers maternity homes and transition home programs for pregnant women who have chosen to carry their babies to term. The residential programs offer more than just housing, with the inclusion of a life skills curriculum, support for education and job skill training, a family-like setting, and the personal and spiritual support to build a successful and independent life.

Founded and headquartered in Sanford, Florida, since 2013, Redeeming Life has expanded with an additional maternity home in East Dundee.

As a registered 501(c)3 organization, Redeeming Life offers a home, help and hope to women in need at no cost and depends on the support of individuals and organizations to afford this care to its residents. For more information about the ministry, visit rlom.org or email info@rlom.