One woman's harrowing story highlights the positive impact of Missouri's women's shelter tax credit system.

Over half a million dollars are being saved by taxpayers annually through a tax credit program in Missouri, which supports pregnant women across the state, according to a report.

The Maternity Home Tax Credit program in Missouri offers donors 70% tax credits, allowing them to reduce their state tax obligations when donating to qualifying agencies such as maternity homes or pregnancy resource centers. This credit system provides a significant return on investment for both donors and the community, as reported by Planet Chronicle Digital.

For every $100 donated, the donor receives $70 in tax credits, reducing their net out-of-pocket donation to $30.

By assisting women in becoming more self-sufficient, maternity homes are reducing expenses for state-funded and state-run social support systems, according to the report.

The community benefits because the state doesn't need to provide women with resources such as shelter, food services, medical treatment, and other programs.

"The report states that each person receiving maternity home services saves or avoids approximately $28,750 annually. If an average program supports 20 women annually, the total impact is $575,000 per year."

The report states that the annual societal savings or avoided cost for each infant born to mothers receiving maternity home services is approximately $74,559. Over the course of the child's first 10 years of life, the impact of preventing prematurity and homelessness could result in savings of up to $869,570.

The tax credit program has greatly benefited St. Raymond’s Society, which offers financial and emotional support to new and expectant mothers through coaching and mentoring to help them navigate motherhood.

"Co-founder Steve Smith stated that the credit they receive goes directly against what they owe on their state income tax bottom line, while the other 30% they don't receive a credit on can be deducted both state and federal."

Smith has become an advocate for the tax credit program and hopes other states will follow suit, but he acknowledges that each state has its own unique approach to implementing tax credits.

"Missouri was among the initial three states, and at least eight other states have proposed it, with more likely to be added," he stated.

"In the end, the women and children who are being served are the true winners."

Alexandria Allen's life was transformed with the help of St. Raymond's Society, resulting in a generational benefit for her and her family, as it broke the cycle of poverty, addiction, and homelessness.

A 2017 study found that a chronically homeless individual will incur approximately $35,578 in societal costs annually due to their use of shelters, food services, medical treatment, and other programs.

In 2017, supportive housing saved the government and its taxpayers approximately $4,800 per year per person, which is 49.5% less than the cost of providing support without housing. When adjusted for inflation, the study concluded that in 2023, supportive housing is likely to save the government and its taxpayers $6,191 per person per year.

Allen, who had recently overcome her addiction to heroin and meth, arrived at St. Raymond's Society's doorstep while pregnant and homeless. With the help of her mentors at the society, she was able to regain her footing.

Her experiences with sexual abuse in foster care led her to St. Raymond's. At 16, she became pregnant with her son and by 19, she and her mother were cooking meth together, both struggling with addiction.

""I dedicated my whole life to getting high and getting off dopesick, which led me to accumulate a significant criminal record," she said to Planet Chronicle Digital."

"Meth stole my soul," she said. "It completely devoid of empathy."

While struggling with addiction, she lost custody of her son at the age of 19. While begging for money at Walmart, she encountered a man who offered her drugs.

Allen forced her to commit crimes for drug money and held her captive in his home for six months.

""He wouldn't let me leave and would beat me severely if I tried," she stated."

In 2012, she was attacked by him, resulting in a concussion, fractured nose, and skull. Following the incident, she sought treatment at a rehab facility and has remained sober since then.

St. Raymond's Society helped Allen regain control of her life, and now she is a mother of three with a husband she met after rehab.

Immediately, Allen was welcomed into the women's home at St. Raymond's when she applied for pregnancy Medicaid due to her and her boyfriend, now husband, being homeless.

"For the first time in a while, I was able to take a shower, wash my clothes, and brush my teeth, things that people often overlook," she said to Planet Chronicle Digital. "After that, they advised me to rest for a few days before starting the entire program."

Allen was assigned a mentor who discussed with her the importance of goal setting, planning, freedom, and purpose. Her objectives were to remain sober and gain back custody of her son, who was still in foster care.

At St. Raymond's Society, Allen learned how to be an adult by learning how to cook, clean, and take care of herself. She also got a job that gave her an income and a sense of purpose. Four months after having her daughter, she regained custody of her son.

At a young age, she dropped out of school and never thought she would be able to obtain her GED. However, once she acquired the necessary skills, her mentor encouraged her to pursue it.

Despite being a new mom and working towards her GED, she managed to earn her Bachelor's Degree with a double major in 2019. In 2020, she graduated as the valedictorian of her MBA program.

St. Raymond's played a significant role in Allen's success, as she now lives in Missouri with her husband and three children.

"St. Raymond's love and support remain like a family even after you leave the house," Allen stated.