Adolescent Residential
Young mothers and their children heal together here after trauma, with care that holds both.
Explore Adolescent Residential
We Start with Hope: To build health, healing, and wellness.
Supporting families in Somerset since 1998, from pregnancy through age five.
A room for every age
Children move up room by room as they grow, and each program meets them where they are.
Adult Residential
Mothers and children build resilience side by side, through recovery that includes the child in the room.
Explore Adult ResidentialKaty's Place
Children play and rest in childcare that supports their mother's recovery, close by and steady.
Explore Katy's PlacePermanent Supportive Housing
Families settle into stable housing, and children get a door that stays theirs, night after night.
Explore Permanent Supportive HousingHow we see children
Great Expectations partners with homeless women who are pregnant and parenting. The work builds a safe place, a safe presence, and a safe path. That partnership supports health for mothers and their children. The center began in 1998 in a two-bedroom house in Somerville.
Inside, rooms are set up for the ages they serve. A quiet corner holds books and soft cushions. Low shelves keep toys where small hands can reach. Teachers follow each child's own rhythm for eating, resting, and playing, and they share daily notes with parents about how the day went.
A visitor notices two things first. Caregivers narrate what they do, so a child hears the plan before it happens, and the same caregiver stays close when a child is upset. No one is hurried. A baby who arrives serious can take the time to smile, and a caregiver will notice the day she stands and bounces on a lap.
What a day looks like
A child arrives and finds the same caregiver, in the same room, with the same greeting. Some children walk in and go straight to a toy. Others need to stand at the door a minute, or sit on a lap before joining. A parent can stay a little while, hand over a comfort item, and say a real goodbye. The caregiver takes it from there.
The middle of the day holds the good, messy work. Children play with blocks, water, and books, often in small groups where a caregiver kneels at eye level. Meals come next, then a rest with lights low and a familiar blanket. Outdoor time or a walk follows, so children move their bodies and get fresh air before the afternoon turns quiet again.
Afternoon is calmer. Snack, then quiet play, then the small jobs of putting things away. A baby who has had a full day may be sleepy, or proud of something new, and the caregiver can tell you which. At pickup, you hear one real thing about your child's day, and you can ask about anything you did not see.
How we work with families
At pickup, a caregiver tells you what your child did and how the day went. If you have a question, ask it then, or leave a note for the next morning. Communication runs both ways in a partnership, so your knowledge of your child matters as much as ours. You can also call or email between pickups if something is on your mind.
First weeks go slowly, on purpose. A new child visits with a parent, stays for a short while, then lengthens the day as they get used to the room. You can bring a comfort item from home. If your child has a particular routine, tell us, and we will follow it as closely as we can.
How to join
Get in touch
Call 732-247-7014 or email mjdiroberto@cge-nj.org. Tell us your child's age and the days you need. Staff will help you find the next step.
Tour the room
See the classroom your child would join and meet the teachers who run it, then ask questions.
Enroll and settle in
Complete enrollment and plan a first week that suits your child's routine. Staff will help you decide drop-off times and what to pack.
Good questions to ask first
What ages do you take?
Children from gestation through age five.
Can we visit before deciding?
Yes. A tour is how most families decide, and children are welcome to come along.
What should my child bring on the first day?
A first day usually calls for a change of clothes, a comfort item from home, and anything your child needs for eating or sleeping. Label what comes in, so it finds its way back. Ask us if you are unsure what to pack.
Do you offer part-time or flexible schedules?
Schedules depend on your child's age group and what openings we have. Tell us the days you need, and we will tell you what is available.
What if there is no place right now?
Families can ask to be told when a place opens for their child's age. We will let you know as soon as we can, without promising a date.
Come and see a day here
Come see a day here, and bring your child along.