Jun 19, 2026
The first thing Devan Powell shows me is her sons clothes. A set of three Nike onesies she got for $12. And the sleep sack with a matching bib and hat that says, Welcome to the world.Like a lot of mothers, Powell bought gender n eutral outfits before she knew whether she was having a boy or a girl. Like a lot of mothers, she displays her ultrasound pictures proudly. And like a lot of mothers, she can already pick out which features look like hers. (The cheeks, she tells me.)But unlike a lot of mothers, Powell is attending drug court.WATCH: Inside a recovery center for pregnant women that they call Mama's house She lived in her car. Then, a pregnant woman found an unlikely home in Hamilton.Powell is 21.She tells me shes seen her mom overdose more times than she can count. Once, when she was 9, Powell says she had to call 911 because her mom wasnt breathing. Her mom is clean now, but a protection order keeps them from seeing each other.I never thought I was going to be able to get clean," Powell said. Its all I knew."Thats why she's here. At a place residents call Mamas House.If it wasnt for them, Powell said, I dont know where Id be.A decade ago, hardly any treatment centers offered special programs like this for pregnant or postpartum women. Even now, this is one of the only places like it in Butler County.Because theres such a stigma to be pregnant and have an addiction they live with enough, said Nikki Sams, a case manager for Sojourner Recovery Services.Sams is the person who goes to doctors appointments with these residents. She helps them with insurance, helps them with diapers and other baby supplies. She helps with childcare.She can help them with almost anything they need. And sometimes, that just means listening.I dont think theres anything to be guilty or ashamed of, Sams said. Theyve come for help. And theyre getting the help they need. This year, officials say all eight children at Mama's House have been born free of withdrawal symptoms. Something Powell didn't always think would be possible.I was in a terrible place," Powell said. "I was working at a strip club, living in my car with cat and my dog."She looks down at her belly and takes a deep breath.And now Im here. ...read more read less
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