BARTOW, Fla. – An iconic Bartow home where the ’90s coming-of-age film “My Girl” was shot has a new name and a new mission.

Hope House celebrated a grand opening on Friday. The newly renovated six-bedroom home has been transformed into a sanctuary for first-time mothers.

Hope House is a 12-month residential program for single expectant mothers ages 18 to 26. Six mothers will move into the home during the first trimester. The nonprofit organization will cover all living expenses.

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“All of our moms will receive weekly individual therapy with a psychologist. We will do an intensive study on financial literacy. We will start with the basics of understanding money and finances and then build on budgeting skills,” said Tara Johnson, executive director of Hope House.

Resident and program director Debbie Kelly will be living on site. She was also once a single mother and knows how valuable a support system is.

“You get used to not getting much sleep and having to do a lot of things at once, but I know they’ll get through it. We’re confident that we’ll train them and encourage them, and they’ll be strong moms,” Kelly said.

The women must have a part-time job to save money for when they finish the program. It is the only maternity hospital in Polk County and there is already a waiting list.

“Many of the pregnancy clinics that work with us are eagerly awaiting our opening. Right now, mothers who want other options, who don’t want to have an abortion but are scared and don’t know what to do, have to be sent to Sarasota,” Kelly said.

The first mothers will move in in a few weeks.

Johnson said the purchase and renovation of the 7,508-square-foot home was funded by donations from the community.

If you would like to help expectant mothers have their first child and give them strength, you can donate here.