Contributed by Rosemary Oglesby-Henry, Holloway House
The grand opening of Rosemary’s Babies Co. (RBC) new 6,900 square foot Holloway House & Resource Center for homelessness teen parents in Avondale on March 31 drew hundreds to celebrate the long-awaited unveiling of the new facility. From acquisition to renovation, the journey spanned 1,311 days, as noted by Rodsha Belser, Board Chair, who kicked off the morning’s private ribbon-cutting ceremony alongside partners, officials, supporters, and teen parents.
Named in honor of Rosa Lee Webster-Figgs, grandmother of founder and CEO Rosemary Oglesby-Henry, Holloway House stands as a testament to RBC’s unwavering commitment to empowering young families.
This project supported by The Port, City of Cincinnati, Cincinnati Zoo, and local leaders has been in process for three years.
Founded by former teen mom Rosemary Oglesby-Henry, the center was created in response to the alarming rate of homelessness among teen parents. With the support of local leaders and The Port Authority of Greater Cincinnati, a once-blighted mansion in Avondale has been revitalized into a multi-million dollar facility designed to serve 1,000 families annually in-person and virtually. The home features seven bedrooms, five bathrooms, a STEAM Lab, Media Gallery, library, spa, and exterior gardens designed by the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Gardens.
The center’s mission extends beyond housing, offering holistic health initiatives, financial literacy education in partnership with Angel Rich’s Wealthy Factory, and a welcoming space adorned with inspiring artwork, including the “Little Brown Boy” mural.
Transitional housing, opening late spring, will house seven families for up to 24 months. These families will receive workforce training, financial coaching, and emotional support to help teen parents achieve long-term stability. Oglesby-Henry, has developed a model and facility that is the only one of its kind; and founded by a Black leader who was a former teen mom.
Holloway House began operations on March 31, opening Monday through Thursday to provide vital resources for young families striving for independence.
The RBC Collective gathered, faces wet—not from the rain, but from heartfelt emotion. Stirring speeches from former teen parents and Dr. Rosemary Oglesby-Henry herself left the crowd feeling inspired, empowered, and unified. A former teen parent herself, she lovingly addressed her “babies,” saying:
“We believed for it, so you could believe in yourself… My only ask is that when I am gone, you reach back to help someone else.”
A powerful moment followed as she cut the ribbon alongside her teens, all raising their scissors in solidarity—a true victory celebration.
Despite the rain, Rosemary’s Babies Co. continued hosting tours throughout the day, shuttling guests from their former office—now transformed into Petals Playhouse, an activity center for children under six—to the newly opened Holloway House. Holloway House has seven bedrooms, library, and a state-of-the-art lab mimicking a trade room floor. Families will be able to stay for up to 24 months.
The day, though gloomy in weather, was filled with light and love. As Salma Gallegos, former program participant and now RBC Ambassador, expressed:
“Today, we celebrate a movement in Avondale, a vision in Avondale, and the countless generations whose trajectory will change in Greater Cincinnati.”
The event raised $10,000 in pledges toward RBC’s programming campaign, which will continue until the organization secures the remaining funds to open its transitional housing component this fall.
To learn more visit, www.rosemarysbabies.co or 3864 Reading Road. Cincinnati 45229
Seems like a celebration for teen pregnancy to me.
NOPE