Elise Jenkins' life changed when a new life entered it.
Months away from walking across the graduation stage at Auburn University, she found out she was pregnant with her first child at age 21. Suddenly, both present and future became far more complex.
Fortunately for Jenkins, she was surrounded by an abundance of support that helped her balance the uniquely blended challenges of pregnancy and pursuit of a higher education degree. But the experience also showed her that many others lacked the support that bolstered her as she walked the tightrope of collegiate motherhood, eventually moving her to serve those that weren’t so fortunate.
Learn how Elise Jenkins' story led her to serving pregnant and parenting college students to give them a brighter future:
Ella Rae Jenkins was born 10 days after her mother donned cap and gown to receive a diploma. Five years after that, Ella’s House was formed to help mothers and children alike achieve dreams of a better life.
“I started thinking, how can I give back to these moms that might be in my situation or in a different situation,” Jenkins explained. “Navigating college motherhood, feeling like maybe it’s not possible. I realized that we didn’t have any resources for these young moms who are wanting to continue to pursue their dreams wanting to make a better life.”
Many of the early days of the new Nashville nonprofit were spent digging deep into the problem itself, building out research-backed data that would inform a solution and develop an understanding of an issue more common than most might know.
More than five million undergraduate students are currently pregnant or parenting, making up more than 25% of the entire U.S. higher education student population. Less than 2% of teen moms earn a higher education degree by age 30.
“The minute we opened our doors to our physical house is when I realized that the need for housing and somebody to support and love and mentor these women was greater than I anticipated,” Jenkins recalled.
“In addition to that, we have found a lot of moms that have come out of the foster care system who don’t have much of a support system anyways, and so there’s an added layer that Ella’s House can step in and be that support system as they journey through this path.”
Jenkins described a plethora of paths that lead young mothers to the organization, all sharing the same hope of caring well for their child while setting both of their futures on an upward trajectory.
Ella’s House works as a “residential respite” that provides housing, childcare, and other material goods, as well as career and financial education resources, mentorship, and community with others in similar circumstances. The growing organization leverages holistic support and partnerships with other organizations to provide a comprehensive solution to mothers in need.
But before attending to the emotional, psychological, and relational demands of young motherhood as a student, the larger solution begins with basic needs like a reliable roof and food in the fridge.
“Mamas cannot even start thinking about (non-physical needs) until they know that baby and they have a safe place to lay their heads at night and where their next meal is coming from,” Jenkins said.
“Diapers, wipes, these are all things that Ella’s House supplies so that moms can take the next step to counseling services, mentorship, and being poured into with that emotional support piece as well. That’s the stuff that really sticks with you long term. You will forever have those relationships.”
Each aspect of support is in service of brightening tomorrow for mother and child.
While Jenkins agrees that a diploma is not a requirement for a productive or fulfilled life, a higher education degree can be the first step toward a different life for those that desire it.
An estimated $3.8 billion is lost in earnings each year for those that drop out of college. Possession of an associate degree boosts lifetime earning potential by approximately $329,000, while a bachelor’s degree can raise lifetime earnings by more than $600,000.
Women who have children are 65% more likely to drop out of college than those without children. And most student parents – 68% – live at or below the poverty line according to the NASFAA, making the road to commencement a steep climb.
But a refuge like Ella’s House is helping many avoid becoming another statistical notch in categories like these.
According to the organization’s 2025 mid-year report, each mother under the care of Ella’s House has undergone a healthy pregnancy, 100% of scholars have had a C average or higher in the last two semesters, and 92% of scholars have found employment in their field of choice. A growing army of 56 volunteers is serving young parents to bring about such success.
“We’re setting these moms up even when they’re pregnant and to be able to have great deliveries,” Jenkins said. “That’s really all it’s about, giving these moms a chance for their dreams that include baby and the diploma.”
Ella’s House is also working to educate both the public and those that student parents interact with every day, like professors, admissions counselors, and other faculty.
“Having colleges set up for parents and thinking about things that parents have to think about, whether that is a safe place for mom to nurse, professors being willing to work with moms who might need to take some time to deliver their baby, maternity leave – some of that comes with colleges being aware.”
Other educational efforts like the newly launched Dilemma simulation offer supporters and any curious party the chance to better understand the distinct trial that is motherhood in a college setting.
In the day-to-day of serving young parents and children with complex, unique issues, along with raising her own children, Jenkins holds a foundational hope that colors every moment.
“Zach and I have talked about when they leave our house, what’s important that they know. The first is that God loves them more than they could ever understand, and the second would be that we love them more than they could ever understand. That nothing they can do could ever, ever separate them from the love of Jesus, but also Zach and I’s love for them,” Jenkins said.
“What I would want moms to know is that they are loved, and they really, really can do it.”
For more information on Ella’s House, visit the official website.