Yesterday I didn’t have time to blog because I was getting ready for a baby shower for six Caris clients! These young women had come to the nearby Caris clinic to have pregnancy tests, confirmed they were pregnant, went through counseling to help them decide what to do, and decided to parent their babies! The next step was to join a support group called “New Beginnings” where they met weekly for two months to get encouragement, support, and ideas. Our small group provided snacks for them while they met, and the culmination was the shower that we threw for them last night! I was worried about getting enough gifts for six girls, but everything really came together with other women in the church and even out-of-town moms who wanted to contribute–we were able to give them lots of diapers, formula for those who bottle feed, boppy and nursing cover sets for those who are going to breastfeed, and lots of little things. Eight other women from church came (including three other moms with their babies!) to make it feel like a real party.=) Two of my friends from church collected a ton of baby clothes and other gently used items from freecycle, and I added those to the gently used clothes I’ve been collecting to create a “baby boutique” of used clothes for them to “shop” from at the end of the shower. These girls have little or no support network at home, and it was such a blessing to be able to coordinate and show them that we at Holy Trinity are excited about their decision to parent and want to help with practical resources so that their burden is lessened these first few months of motherhood!
Amazing! What a blessing you are!!
Looks like fun!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
That’s such a cool ministry, Emily 🙂 How did you find out about it and get involved?
I always seek out crisis pregnancy centers when we move to a new place–Women’s Care Center in South Bend, Birthright in St Louis, and Caris here in Chicago. It’s one of the two areas that we feel really passionate about supporting (along with missions to unreached people groups)–Derek did CATS (abstinance education group for jr high) at Hillsdale, and my family has always been really involved in praying for/financially supporting CPCs back home. I remember going to Birthright with my mom as a young girl. It’s WELL worth getting involved in–whether it’s dropping off some diapers and cute newborn outfits at your local center or actively volunteering as a receptionist (which I did in St Louis) or a special job like the showers here!