A Message from the Executive Director
|
Dear Friends,
We are already in the 3rd month of the year and so much is happening at CPC and Options@328. I wanted to take the time to update you about ongoing client success stories, current and future needs, and opportunities to gather.
Our development director, advocacy coordinator, and I will be attending the 2022 Heartbeat International Conference in Jacksonville, Florida, at the end of the month. Heartbeat International is the umbrella organization CPC is affiliated with. Heartbeat's mission is to develop leaders to supply a growing pregnancy help movement. Our ability to attend this training is funded by a grant from the Gift of Hope USA Foundation. We look forward to meeting other crisis pregnancy center peers and learning how to become better equipped to protect the physical, emotional, and spiritual lives of women and their unborn children. Thank you, Gift of Hope USA Foundation!
As Paula and I reviewed data trends, we discovered that, during 2021, Options@328 served almost 200 women who self-reported abuse or sought help from one of our resource partners who minister to victims of abuse. The abuse was physical, emotional, and/or sexual. That means one in five women served at Options@328 experiences abuse, plus they are pregnant! CPC continues to refer these women to specialized outside agencies so they can be safe from harm, heal, and continue their pregnancies, while living fulfilling lives. CPC continues to expand our resource partners so we can help more women in need.
Our search for a new material resource center in Baltimore City continues. Please continue to pray that CPC finds the best location for our clients.
I am so happy to report that CPC is moving forward with our first ever spring event, a Blue Jeans BBQ! Please save the date for Thursday, May 19th from 5:30pm - 8:00pm. We hope this event will be free or at a nominal cost to guests. A website about this event, access to tickets, and program sponsorship opportunities will be announced soon.
Finally, let us pray for peace in our clients' lives, for the babies in their wombs, for peace in Baltimore, in our country, and in our world.
Every good wish,
Gina Ruppert
Executive Director
|
|
|
CLIENT GROWTH AT OPTIONS@328
Last month we reported that our client appointments have increased over 500% in one year. An illustration of this growth is provided below. Please pray for our ability to continue this growth and for the funding we need to hire qualified staff who support our mission!
|
|
|
Sometimes, choosing life can be a family affair. Recently, a young couple, "Annie and Jamal", came to CPC to confirm a pregnancy. Annie was unsure about what to do. Jamal wanted to support Annie's decision.
Our client advocate, Susan, suggested that Annie tell a family member about her pregnancy before making any decisions. Kelly, our sonographer, pictured below, far left, met with Annie, and performed a sonogram which showed each part of her developing baby.
Annie returned to our office with Jamal and her family. Her family thanked CPC for encouraging her to tell someone about her pregnancy. They will be there to support Annie and her baby!
|
|
|
Another baby saved!
Recently, "Eva", who was 20 weeks pregnant, came to Options@328 for medical services and resources. Eva was considering an abortion.
Earlier, Eva had been to another medical provider who said they would perform an abortion on her up to 23 weeks gestation.
Eva had not told anyone else she was considering abortion until she met with our client advocate, Wendy, who listened to all her needs and circumstances. Wendy offered her our free services as well as friendship.
Our nurse, Kate, performed a sonogram on Eva and shared the steps that she would undergo in a surgical abortion at this gestational age. Kate also shared the possible effects of the surgery and encouraged Eva to look online to learn from other women who regretted their late term abortions.
After our staff provided her with information and resources to support the choice for life, our client left giggling, holding the ultrasound image of her baby, and is now under OB care getting ready to deliver a healthy baby boy!
|
|
Meet Liliana, CPC's part-time bi-lingual client advocate at Options@328.
Liliana joined CPC last summer. Her position is funded by a generous grant from the Oluv C. Joynor Foundation. Liliana lives in Reisterstown with her husband and three children. Outside of work, she and her husband operate a cleaning and construction business. She immigrated to the United States 22 years ago from Colombia, South America and will be applying for U.S. citizenship as soon as she is eligible, later this year. Her life experiences are well suited for her position as a client advocate. She can put our clients at ease, especially those who do not speak English. Liliana listens to understand a client's unique set of circumstances to offer her the resources she needs to support the choice for life. We are so glad you are a part of our family, Liliana!
|
|
|
Successful Facebook Fundraising
|
|
Thanks to all supporters who have created Facebook Fundraisers to benefit CPC.
Did you know that if you create a Facebook fundraiser to benefit CPC, 100% of your donation is directed to CPC? Birthday or Special Occasion Facebook Fundraisers are wonderful ways to educate family and friends about CPC. Essentially, you are asking your Facebook friends to learn about a cause that is meaningful to you.
We appreciate the supporters (below) who have taken the plunge and crowdfunded for donations to CPC. Since 2017, CPC has received $2,800 in donations through this giving platform.
If you are interested in starting a fundraiser on your personal Facebook page, click the blue button below. Select 'non-profit” and enter "Greater Baltimore Center for Pregnancy Concerns." We invite you to join in the fun to raise awareness and donations for CPC.
|
|
Fr. Austin Murphy
Kevin Bruffey
Paula Caponiti
Vince Clews
Tykeisha Queenie Finney
Cathy Gara
Linda Gossman
Kelly Wargo
|
|
Sincerely Sawyer
Michael Lewis
Jeff Quinton
Monica Rainey
Lindsay Rupprecht
Susan Smith
Marissa Sun
Catherine Vestal Forehand
|
|
|
Churches, Thank You For Your Financial Support!
|
It is through intentional, often-times sacrificial, financial support that CPC can serve pregnant women and their unborn children. Since 2021, church support has helped CPC provide thirty-two adoption referrals to women considering abortion. Also, CPC assisted thirty-three in-person Abortion Pill Reversal (APR) cases and 26 APR phone support calls. Thank you for your life-saving support!
We would like to acknowledge those churches publicly (in alphabetical order):
|
|
- Aisquith Presbyterian Church
- Am Yeshua Congregation, Inc.
- Archdiocese of Baltimore
- Bishop Cummins Memorial Church
- Brooklyn Bible Chapel
- Calvary Chapel Anne Arundel County
- Chapelgate Presbyterian Church
- Christ United Methodist Church
- Christian Fellowship Church of God
- Church of the Resurrection
- Cockeysville Baptist Church
- Cub Hill Bible Presbyterian Church
- East Baltimore Graffiti Church
- Eastern Assembly of God
- Edgemere Bible Church
- Faith Fellowship Church
- First Baptist Church of Pimlico
- Forge Road Bible Chapel
- Friendship Baptist Church
- Grace Community Church, Kingsville
- Huber Memorial Church
- Inverness Presbyterian Church
- Journey Church
- Liberty Church, PCA
- Linthicum Baptist Church
- Living Hope Ministries
- Loch Hill Ekklesia Christian Church
- Loch Raven Baptist Church
|
|
- Loch Raven Presbyterian Church
- Long Green Baptist Church
- Mars Hill Baptist Church, Essex
- New Antioch Baptist Church
- New Life Baptist Church
- Orems United Methodist Church
- Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church
- Our Lady of Hope Catholic Church
- Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church
- Perry Hall Baptist Church
- Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Glyndon
- St. Benedict Catholic Church
- St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church
- St. Clare Catholic Church,
- St. Clement Mary Hofbauer Catholic Church
- St. Ignatius Catholic Community Baltimore
- St. Joseph Catholic Church, Fullerton
- St. Luke Catholic Church
- St. Mark Catholic Church, Abingdon
- St. Stephen Catholic Church
- St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church
- St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church
- Valley Presbyterian Church
- Victory Villa Community Church
- White Marsh Baptist Church
|
|
|
If your church is not listed above, and you would like to make an email introduction to your pastor or local missions staff member, please contact Paula at 443-884-9208 or email Paula.
Of the 1,573 churches in our area, about 60 churches, or 3%, support CPC on a regular basis. Please pray that more Christian churches will partner with our life-saving ministry.
|
|
Gifts in Honor or Memory of a Loved One
|
|
|
We thank you for your generous gifts over the past year!
|
|
Gifts in Honor of
Jack Cockerill, Sr. from Dawn Cockerill
Annette Collins from Sheila Wharam
Brenda English from Bob Travers and the Mary Jean & Oliver Travers Foundation
John Ferber and Megan Butler's Wedding from Margaret Ferber
John and Meg Ferber from Mary Clare Luckjohn
Fr. Brendan Fitzgerald from Paula Caponiti
Church of the Nativity from Paula Caponiti
Sandy Salvo from Mark Salvo
CPC Client Advocates from Dominic Markwordt
CPC Staff from Brenda English
Jack Cockerill, Sr. from Dawn Cockerill
Rudy Lima from Anonymous
Sandra Nettina from Mr. & Mrs. Timothy Dygert, Jr
Gina Ruppert from Kathleen Ment
|
|
Gifts in Loving Memory of
Marian Creel from George Creel
John A. Ferger from Susan Ferger
Helen Holder from Susan Krabble
Richard J. Kinlein from John & Tina Kinlein
Wm. "Bill" Charles Kostkowski from Helen Holden
Christopher M. Powell from Paula Caponiti
Deacon R. William "Monti" Montalto from Dr. & Mrs. Louis Breschi
In Loving Memory of Carol Clews from:
William Benson
Patricia & Martin Blair
John Carlomano
Gretchen & Kevin Carney
Craig & Brenda English
Bishop & Mrs. John Guernsey
Kevin Kelly, M.D.
Mr. & Mrs. Skip Minakowski
Jim & Deb Tomney
Patricia Sommers
Josh Wessel
Pastor Tierney & White Marsh Baptist Church
|
Eternal rest grant unto them,
O Lord and let perpetual light shine upon them. May they rest in peace. In the name of Jesus, we pray. Amen.
|
|
|
Thank you for hosting Baby Bottle Campaigns
|
|
Thank you to the following churches for hosting a Baby Bottle Campaign or Baby Shower this year. We count on Church support to help run our ministry. We love and need you very much!
Church of the Resurrection, Lutherville (starts Mother's Day weekend) Baby Bottle Campaign
Faith Fellowship Church, Baby Bottle Campaign & Baby Shower
Faith Reformed Christian Church, Baby Bottle Campaign & Baby Shower
Orems United Methodist Church, Baby Bottle Campaign
St. Clare Catholic Church, Baby Bottle Campaign and Baby Shower
|
|
It is always a good time to host a Baby Bottle Campaign especially during Mother's Day or Father's Day. To learn more about hosting a baby bottle campaign, please click on "How to host a Baby Bottle Campaign"
or contact Paula at 443-884-9208.[
|
|
|
Our Mission
The Greater Baltimore Center for Pregnancy Concerns is a locally organized and funded volunteer ministry demonstrating the love of Jesus Christ by providing abortion alternatives to women who find themselves in the midst of an unplanned pregnancy. We service clients by addressing their physical, emotional, and spiritual needs. We also strive to provide accurate and complete information on prenatal development and abortion. We believe access to this information is needed in order to provide our clients with the facts, allowing them to make informed decisions. Ultimately, we desire to protect the physical, emotional, and spiritual health of our clients and their unborn children. We also provide emotional support and resources to any woman who comes to us having had an abortion. We believe our ministry to these and all women is to share the love of Jesus Christ.
|
|
Center for Pregnancy Concerns | 443-884-9201
328 N. Howard Street
Baltimore, MD 21201
443-884-9201
|
|
|
|
|
|
|