Who We Are

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. We strive each day to walk with women as they create a beautiful future for themselves and their child.

At Ella’s House, we uphold our core values of providing holistic help to balance education, health, and family.

Elise Jenkins, Executive Director

I never thought I would be 21 and pregnant. The fear of judgment and uncertainty for my future engulfed me as I clutched my positive pregnancy test in my family’s powder bathroom. This is where Ella’s House started—with me crying on the bathroom floor, terrified that it couldn’t be done. That college degrees and motherhood were not synonymous and absolutely could not happen at the same time. 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. Sweet Ella Rae was born eighteen days after I completed my bachelor’s degree at Auburn University and is the inspiration for Ella’s House. A sanctuary for pregnant collegiate mothers, a community of women achieving similar goals, and a place where choosing education AND a baby is possible. My hope is that women feel empowered and supported in their choice and that perhaps, even amidst fear and uncertainty—they don’t feel quite so alone.

Susan Reinfeldt, Director of Operations

Nelson Mandela once said, “May your choices reflect your hopes, not your fears.” Throughout my life I have encountered many young women who have courageously faced a crossroad in their lives: Pursue an education or become a mother? My prayer has always been that with the right resources in place they could choose out of hope, not fear.

This is why I am passionate about the gift Ella’s House provides—a place for women who desire an academic degree and the opportunity to raise a child. I watched my own daughter navigate this difficult path, and with community support she earned her degree and gave birth to a spunky, healthy baby girl.

Ella’s House offers women hope and a future, and I’m honored to play a small part in their journey.

Emilie Morgan, Logistics Coordinator

I’ve always envisioned myself working in an environment where I’m empowered, encouraged, and invited to invest in meaningful work. Ella’s House is exactly what I’ve prayed for. Being driven by passion and justice, I find myself at home in the work of our organization. It is a gift to participate in such honoring work that uplifts so many women in our community. I am currently a senior at Belmont University majoring in Social Entrepreneurship. In my last year of school and my first year of work at Ella’s House, I will strive to be marked by empathy and diligence as I develop my professional, educational, and personal skills.

Asianea Jackson, Social Work Intern

Resilience runs deep in my veins. Raised by a lineage of strong women, I learned the profound impact of helping others from a young age. My own experience navigating women’s shelters as a child ignited a fire within me – a burning desire to build a future where communities have the support they deserve.

Today, I stand tall as a first-generation college student soon to be graduate, but the most fulfilling title I wear is Advocate for Social Justice. My role at Ella’s House isn’t just a job; it’s the embodiment of a lifelong purpose. Witnessing the transformative power of their resources firsthand fuels my passion to empower others and pave the way for a brighter future.

Beyond professional titles and achievements, I wear many hats: a loyal friend, a supportive sister, a devoted aunt, and a loving daughter. But above all, I am a voice for those who need it most, a champion for equality, and a relentless force for positive change.