Matthew 25:35-40
35 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’ 37 “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ 40 “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’
FR M THE HEART News from Choices of the Heart Network
CHOICES THRIFT BOUTIQUE
132 Ganttown Road Turnersville, NJ 08012 856-256-1234 Like us on
MISSION STATEMENT To protect the unborn by empowering individuals in the Delaware Valley to make healthy life choices
MEE
PRA
CTIT
RSE W NU R NE R! IONE
T OU
Welco
ming W
FALL
2020
anda!
Advancing a Culture of Truth 108 Greentree Road, Suite JKLM, Turnersville, NJ 08012
CHOICES OF THE HEART NETWORK
Merry
New Births!
Christmas & Happy
New o L y nn R
s
e
J
osie
L uc y
O phelia
2020
MAIN OFFICE
108 Greentree Road Suites JKLM Turnersville, NJ 08012 856-374-2833 ChoicesoftheHeart.com
I s a ia h
L
ay l a M arie
Year!
Fall Newslette�
There Was No Room for Them "It is better to take refuge in the Lord then to trust in man." PSALM 118:8
The most intriguing and moving part of our annual event this year was the client testimonies. Although both clients initially came to Choices over 10 years ago, both their stories are still impacting us today. Our donors could not stop commenting on how powerful the evening was. That is why I am going to encourage everyone reading this to view the ministry update and testimonies on choicesoftheheart.com. One of the clients whose story brought everyone to tears, spoke about her family’s rejection. They eliminated her from their insurance. They said this was all going to be on her. With no familial support, she had nowhere to go, until she called Choices. Her exact words were “they accepted me. They didn’t know me, and they took me in.” Yet, when we reflect on the first Christmas, the life of our Savior did not start out much differently. It is unimaginable to think that Mary and Joseph would be turned away from finding a warm place to deliver their baby but that’s exactly what happened. The attitude of indifference exhibited by those who had the ability to help, like maybe an innkeeper and or his guests, should not be shocking. Aren’t we all guilty of being insensitive at one time or another to the plight of someone else? People generally take the path of least resistance when making their own personal choices. Someone could have offered to give up their room. After all, this was not just any person seeking shelter, it was a woman who was about to deliver a baby! The situation needed a hero, someone who would be willing to sacrifice. None were found. Unfortunately, turning away a pregnant woman in need still happens every day. It happens in not only business establishments, workplaces and schools but also in circles of friends and within families. One place it will never happen is, Choices of the Heart. When considering your year-end giving, consider the plight of hundreds of young girls with nowhere to turn but here. Let us not take on the attitude of indifference, but rather make a choice to sacrifice a small thing for a greater miracle.
Rita Reyes Executive Director
2020
My Year-End Gift
Gala Thank You!
Name �����������������������������������������
NOTHING STOPS THE WAYMAKER!
Address ���������������������������������������
"I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland." Isaiah 43:19 Planning a fundraising event in a pandemic was a challenge. Our reserved gala venue was closed with no plans of opening. We usually have 500 guests, would they come? Where do we have it and how do we respect the safety of each guest? These were our hurdles, but The Waymaker was already working! Two of our supporting churches graciously offered their facilities and we planned on! Our 25th annual event was held on October 29, 2020 and God made a way for over 200
people to be there and over 150 live viewers from home. That night we were able to get a glimpse of the great things that God is doing through our ministry update, the client testimonies, and our vision for 2021. Our keynote speaker, Sarah Huckabee Sanders spoke about the trials of being a mother working while in the White House and answering the call of those in need.
City ������������������������������������������ State ����������������������������������������� Zip ������������������������������������������� Phone ����������������������������������������
Thank you to all who supported us at the event and those who continue to support the women at Choices of The Heart.
Email ����������������������������������������� q I am interested in making a one time gift of $_____
You can still view the event on choicesoftheheart.com
q I would like to become a monthly partner for $_____
Support our
2021 Ministry Goals
with your tax deductible year end gift.
1. Develop a mobile app for our clients.
Welcome! OUR NEW NURSE PRACTITIONER!
Wanda M. Williams, PhD, RN, WHNP-BC, she is a boardcertified Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner, with over 30 years working in the nursing profession. She is committed to providing quality, comprehensive care to women. She is also, an Associate Professor in Nursing at Rutgers University-Camden aspiring and teaching future nurses and nurse practitioners.
2. Hire additional medical personnel and a social worker.
3. Develop an Independent self-sustainable full-service medical clinic.
She is a proud mother of Michaela, a “Firstie” at West Point, and a step-daughter, Kaila completing her last year at Rutgers, New Brunswick. She is married to Kevin and enjoys sewing and quilting in her spare time.
Faith over Family by Theresa Mangano, Client Advocate
Tiffany came into our center in July, during the COVID-19 pandemic. At age 19, she lived with her mother and found herself pregnant for the first time. Tiffany was undecided about what to do about her pregnancy because she told me that the environment, she lived in was not a healthy one and she did not know if she wanted to bring a baby into it. It was revealed that Tiffany's mother had an abortion, as well as some other family members, and they of course, wanted her to follow suit. Tiffany believed in God but was not convinced she could handle being a mother in the presence of this kind of pressure. I asked, do you think God is big enough to provide for you and the life He created in you? We had housing referrals in place for her to contact. We offered a medical care referral that would accommodate her needs. You could see that she began to re-think the situation. Adoption options were discussed but she ruled that out. In the ultrasound room, Tiffany was surprised to learn that she was not just 8 weeks along, but 11 weeks. The baby was quite active on the screen and mother began to connect with her baby. At that point, she was smiling and excited. She decided she was going to parent and asked for information so she could make an appointment at Virtua. We shared in her excitement and gave her a baby blanket to take with her that day; something she probably would not have experienced elsewhere. Our pregnancy center is exactly what Tiffany needed to connect her with the resources she needed! Here, she found caring women who provided practical and spiritual support and hope for a positive future, which is everything to a woman who does not experience this kind of support at home. We allowed her time to talk about her situation with nonjudgmental listening and genuine empathy. We offered proof that God shows up when we include Him in our seemingly impossible situations! Tiffany awaits her due date in February of 2021. There are many more like Tiffany just waiting for someone to tell them and show them they can do what they think can't be done. They have options they haven't considered. Because our God is a God of CHOICE!
q I would like to make a 90 day pledge of $_____ COMMENTS:___________________________________ ______________________________________________ ______________________________________________ ��������������������������������������������� We will contact you to process your tax deductible year end contribution or you can donate online at choicesoftheheart.com. Submit your gift form and/or check in the enclosed envelope. Thank you for your faithful support.
Needed!
• Size 4 & 5 diapers.
• New girls clothing sized 6-9 months and 9-12 months • Neutral color crib blankets • Enfamil formula ONLY, especially Gentle Ease type • Baby bath items, powder, wash, towels, etc.