Up to Par Cleaning Helps Get Things Ready
“Each mama and their precious baby were made in God’s image for such a time as this. We feel so privileged to come alongside them in this season.”
These words guide everything we do at Imago Dei Ministry Homes, and they became even more meaningful when Up to Par Cleaning stepped forward to support our maternity home renovation with an incredible gift of service. Today, we want to share this story of community partnership and the transformative impact it has had on our mission to serve expecting mothers in Cowlitz County.
Our Mission: Providing Hope and Housing for Expecting Mothers
At Imago Dei Ministry Homes, we exist to empower mothers facing unexpected pregnancy by providing them with a loving family environment, safe housing, mentorship, and the resources they need to choose life with confidence and build a brighter future. As a faith-based maternity home in Longview, WA, we serve pregnant mothers and new moms throughout Cowlitz County who need more than just a place to stay—they need a supportive community that believes in their potential and walks alongside them during this critical season of life.
Our ministry was born from a calling that Brad and Patti Thorstenson received in 2020, when Patti was prophesied over that she would start not one, but several maternity homes for single mothers. After years of prayer and waiting on God’s timing, they launched Imago Dei in early 2025, choosing a name that means “made in the image of God”—a reminder that every mother and child who comes through our doors bears God’s image and deserves dignity, compassion, and support.
The Reality of Need in Our Community
For many women facing unexpected pregnancy in Cowlitz County, the challenges can feel overwhelming. Without stable housing, financial resources, or a support network, the prospect of bringing a new life into the world can seem impossible. These mothers need more than just shelter—they need a place where they can feel safe, valued, and equipped to embrace motherhood.
This is where Imago Dei Ministry Homes steps in. Our maternity home provides:
- Emotional Support: One-on-one mentorship where mothers can discuss their goals, options, and feelings in a judgment-free environment
- Physical Support: Nutritious meals, prenatal care coordination, transportation to all pregnancy-related appointments, labor and birth education, and newborn care classes
- Spiritual Support: Weekly Bible studies, church services, and discipleship opportunities that provide hope and grounding during uncertain times
- Practical Resources: Maternity clothes, connections to community resources, life skills training, and preparation for independent living
Our house parents, Jacob and Victoria Miller, live in the home alongside residents, creating a true family atmosphere where each mother’s individual needs are recognized and met with compassion.
Why Community Support Matters
As a nonprofit ministry, we rely entirely on the generosity of donors and community partners who share our belief that every mother deserves compassionate care and support. While we require residents to pay a modest monthly fee of $250 (with scholarships available), this covers only a fraction of the actual costs of running the maternity home. The rest comes from people who choose to invest in the lives of vulnerable mothers and their babies.
This is why partnerships with local businesses like Up to Par Cleaning are so vital to our mission. They allow us to stretch our limited resources further and ensure that the maternity home remains a safe, welcoming, and well-maintained environment for our residents.
A Gift That Made All the Difference
When we began planning the full renovation of our maternity home, we knew that preparing the space for expecting mothers would require extensive deep cleaning. The project was substantial, and like many nonprofits, we faced the reality of limited funding. That’s when Up to Par Cleaning reached out with an offer that touched our hearts: they wanted to donate a full day of labor to deep clean the entire home.
What happened next exceeded our expectations. The Up to Par Cleaning team arrived equipped with professional-grade supplies, equipment, and—most importantly—a servant’s heart. Their crew didn’t just clean; they poured care and attention into their work, understanding that they weren’t preparing an ordinary house but a sanctuary for mothers in crisis.The team spent hours meticulously cleaning surfaces, using eco-friendly products to ensure the home would be safe and healthy for pregnant mothers and newborns.
The Impact on Our Residents
The difference this donation has made cannot be overstated. Walking into a beautifully maintained home sends the message: “You deserve a safe, clean space. You deserve to raise your baby in an environment that reflects how valuable you are.”
The practical benefits of the deep cleaning are equally important. A thoroughly cleaned and sanitized home means:
- Healthier living conditions for pregnant mothers and newborns with developing immune systems
- Reduced stress for residents who can focus on their health and preparation for motherhood rather than worrying about cleanliness
- Better first impressions for potential residents who are deciding whether our program is right for them
- Extended longevity of our facilities, as professional deep cleaning helps protect surfaces and prevent deterioration.
"You matter. Your baby matters. You deserve a beautiful, safe place to prepare for motherhood."
Why This Partnership Exemplifies Community at Its Best
What makes this partnership with Up to Par Cleaning so special is that it represents the very best of what community collaboration can achieve. Founded in 2011 by young entrepreneur Krista, Up to Par Cleaning built their business on values of integrity, professionalism, and community involvement. When they learned about our maternity home and the need for deep cleaning, they didn’t hesitate to offer their expertise.
Their donation wasn’t just about providing a service—it was about investing in the lives of vulnerable mothers they may never meet. It was about recognizing that businesses have a responsibility to give back to the communities they serve. And it was about understanding that sometimes the most meaningful contributions come not from writing a check but from rolling up your sleeves and using your unique skills to make a difference.
Up to Par Cleaning has demonstrated this commitment to community in other ways too, including their participation in Cleaning for a Reason, which provides free cleaning services to cancer patients. Their willingness to support our maternity home fits perfectly with their established pattern of using their business as a force for good in Cowlitz County.
Supporting Pregnant Mothers in Longview, WA and Beyond
As the only maternity home in Longview, Washington offering this level of comprehensive support, we serve a critical need in our region. Expecting mothers from throughout Cowlitz County and surrounding areas come to us seeking affordable maternity housing where they won’t just survive but can truly thrive during pregnancy and early motherhood.
Our location in Longview allows us to connect residents with valuable community resources, including:
- Healthcare providers for prenatal and postnatal care
- Social services and government assistance programs
- Employment resources and job training opportunities
- Parenting education and support groups
- Childcare assistance for mothers who need to work or continue their education
We collaborate with local churches, businesses, and organizations to ensure that our residents have access to everything they need to build stable, independent lives for themselves and their babies.
Looking Ahead: Our Vision for the Future
Thanks to partnerships like the one with Up to Par Cleaning, our maternity home is now equipped to welcome more expecting mothers who need our support. But our vision extends beyond just this one home. As Brad and Patti were prophesied, we dream of opening additional maternity homes to serve even more vulnerable mothers throughout Washington state.
To make this vision a reality, we need continued support from our community. Every donation, every volunteer hour, and every in-kind contribution like the one from Up to Par Cleaning brings us closer to expanding our reach and impact.
How You Can Support Our Mission
If this story has touched your heart, we invite you to join us in supporting expecting mothers in our community. There are several meaningful ways you can help:
Financial Donations
As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, Imago Dei Ministry Homes depends on tax-deductible donations to sustain our operations. Your financial support helps us provide:
- Safe, comfortable housing
- Nutritious meals for residents
- Educational programs and resources
- Transportation to appointments
- Household supplies and maintenance
- One-on-one mentorship and support services
Visit our donation page to make a one-time gift or set up recurring monthly support.
Donate Needed Items
We always welcome in-kind donations of specific items, including:
- Gift cards to stores like Target, Walmart, Amazon, Fred Meyer, and Motherhood Maternity
- New infant and newborn clothing (sizes up to 24 months)
- Household supplies: cleaning products, paper products, garbage bags
- Bedding: sheets, towels, and blankets
- Transportation assistance: reliable vehicles, bus passes, or gas cards
Volunteer Your Time or Services
If you have a business or professional skills, consider following Up to Par Cleaning’s example by donating services or labor. We often need assistance with:
- Home maintenance and repairs
- Yard work and landscaping
- Transportation for residents
- Mentoring and life skills coaching
- Administrative support
Spread the Word
Help us reach mothers who need our services by sharing information about Imago Dei Ministry Homes. If you know someone facing an unexpected pregnancy who could benefit from our faith-based maternity home in Longview, encourage them to reach out. Our application process is simple, confidential, and designed to determine if our program is the right fit for their situation.
Contact us at (360) 261-2452 or visit our application page to learn more.
Prayer Support
As a faith-based ministry, we believe deeply in the power of prayer. We invite you to pray for:
- The mothers and babies in our care
- Our staff and house parents as they provide support and mentorship
- Wisdom and resources to expand our ministry
- Community partners who support our mission
- God’s continued guidance and provision
A Heart of Gratitude
We are profoundly grateful to Up to Par Cleaning for their generous donation of labor and expertise. Their contribution has had a ripple effect that will be felt for years to come, as mother after mother walks through our doors and into a clean, welcoming home that communicates their inherent worth and dignity.
This partnership exemplifies the kind of community collaboration that makes real transformation possible. When local businesses invest in nonprofits addressing critical needs, everyone benefits. Mothers find the support they need to choose life and build a future. Babies are born into environments of stability and care. Communities become stronger as we work together to support our most vulnerable members.
To the team at Up to Par Cleaning: thank you for seeing these mothers not as statistics or charity cases, but as women of infinite value who deserve the very best. Your gift has made an eternal difference in ways you may never fully know. We are honored to call you partners in this life-changing work.
To our community: we invite you to join us in supporting expecting mothers throughout Cowlitz County. Together, we can ensure that no mother faces pregnancy alone, and that every baby is welcomed into a world of hope, support, and unconditional love.
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*Imago Dei Ministry Homes is a faith-based nonprofit providing pregnancy housing and comprehensive support for expecting mothers in Longview, WA and throughout Cowlitz County. Our maternity home offers safe housing, mentorship, life skills training, and spiritual support to help mothers choose life with confidence. To learn more about our affordable maternity housing program or to support our mission, visit www.imagodeiministryhomes.com or call (360) 261-2452.*
*Interested in receiving support? Visit our application page to learn more about our program and how to apply.*
*Want to make a difference? Explore ways to give on our donation page or contact us about volunteer opportunities.*