Our History

Inez Whitlow founded Chicks in Crisis, Inc. in 1997 out of her garage. Her intent was to help pregnant women and teens in crisis situations to find alternative safe choices regarding their pregnancy. In this pursuit, Inez discovered two of her greatest passions—finding good homes for unborn, unplanned and unwanted babies and helping women in crisis learn what it is to be a new mother or improve their parenting of existing children.

Inez knows firsthand what it’s like to be a “Chick in Crisis.” She’d been a young mother in a loveless marriage and struggled with many of the same issues that face the women she helps. After having three children, Inez finally gathered the courage to leave her situation and start over. Without a college education or any means of support, she was forced to go on welfare. Though the experience humiliated her, it motivated her to work three jobs to make ends meet. She now uses her own personal struggle to help women reclaim their lives and dreams. Currently, Inez assists approximately 200 teen moms, teen dads, birthmothers, girls and women per month who need emergency services and continues to facilitate over 30 open adoptions per year.

Inez has garnered community support for Chicks in Crisis from Sacramento-area service clubs, businesses, media and individuals. Most recently with her e:merge"Pillar of the Community" award given by Colin Powell on 9-22-2009. Inez extends her services as a member of the Family Life and Education Advisory committee for the Elk Grove School District. In addition, she was awarded the Women Helping Women Award by the Soroptimist of the Sierra Nevada Region in 2004. In April 2006 she received the First Women of the Year award from the Sacramento City Counsel, Beta Sigma Phi and in April 2007 she received the Heart of a Hero award through Campus Life Connection, a non-profit organization that works with at risk teens.

Inez is a graduate of Humphreys College where she earned a Bachelors of Science degree in Paralegal Studies. She also is a licensed adoption facilitator. She currently resides in Elk Grove, which includes parenting her foster son that she has cared for since birth and is continuing her work of making a difference in the world, one family at a time.