(Life News) Abortion mills are open in some states, but life-saving maternity homes, like Good Counsel are open too. Pro-lifers need to spread the word online and off that around the U.S.A. maternity homes are open because pregnant women in need have to know, always, that there is real hope and concrete help for any pregnant mother in need.
Even at the epicenter of the coronavirus crisis, in and around New York City, which is also the infamous abortion capital of the country, Good Counsel, homes for mothers and babies, has its doors open.
Good Counsel’s four homes, two in New York City itself, and two others not far away, are the safe harbors for homeless pregnant women. Guidelines are in place to protect current and new resident mothers and children, but one only has to call 1.800.723.8331 or go online to www.GoodCounselHomes.org
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The need is even more dire at this time, and Good Counsel never turns away a homeless pregnant mother, and the children she brings with her. Even when all the bedrooms are occupied, no pregnant mom will be turned away. Sometimes staff set the mom up in the chapel, or even on the couch in one of the offices.
“We will not shut out women in need during this most critical time,” said Sandra Jones, Good Counsel’s CEO, who’s been working in this part of the Lord’s vineyard for 25 years. “As people are staying home, tensions will heat up. For those who are now unemployed, depression and anxiety will rise. Domestic violence will escalate the longer this goes on. Good Counsel will respond with immediate help for women who need us.”
Kellin could turn to no one when the father of her baby rejected her. No one would support her. She had to give up her job, school, everything she had.
Desperately seeking where a pregnant, homeless mom could find a home, on the internet, at a library, she found Good Counsel maternity homes.
“But this is my first baby. What’s going to happen to me?” She thought. Covid-19 is all around her.
Hospitals are not allowing anyone to go in, not even husbands with wives in labor.
When labor came upon Kellin, Good Counsel’s House Manager, Dominique Coston, pleasantly, persistently pushed her way into the hospital to be close to her. It was Palm Sunday morning.
Every time Dominique wanted to leave Kellin’s bedside, to make a call in the hall, even to go to the bathroom, “Will you leave me? Will you come right back?” Kellin pleaded.
Nearly 24 hours in labor and both Dominique and Kellin were exhausted. Another woman in labor down the hall, in a critical situation, left Dominique with Kellin at the moment she was to give birth. Dominique called, pressed the button, but the baby presented himself. A young mother herself, but no nurse, she took the child and guided him out. Yet the cord was around his head. “Stop pushing!” Dominique cried as she gently unwrapped the cord from his tiny neck. “Now go.”
All 8 pounds and 14 ounces came forth. The doctor and nurses arrived to see the boy who would be named after a prophet, Nathan, breathing safe and sound.
You can hear the psalmist sing:
Posterity will serve him;
future generations will be told about the Lord.
They will proclaim his righteousness,
declaring to a people yet unborn:
He has done it! — Psalm 22
Now we see a resurrection in the life of Kellin and in all our lives in spite of the Covid catastrophe around us. Fortunately, not one Good Counsel mother or baby has been infected by the coronavirus. Yet we mourn the loss of loved ones, and all who have died. We pray fervently for those infected and for those working to help them. We see and believe in the Resurrection which the Lord has called you and me to. We pray we’ll all meet on that Great Resurrection Day which we celebrate especially during this Easter season.
Let us continue to proclaim that life is stronger than death.
In Good Counsel’s four homes, women will also find a safe and secure learning environment. Women who come to us homeless, pregnant, without a high school diploma will receive help returning to school and finding a job. In fact any mother, whether she has other born children, whether she’s struggling with addiction or mental health issues, regardless of where she is from, will receive assistance.
Good Counsel’s mission to serve homeless single pregnant women and their children has continued since 1985, reaching thousands of mothers and babies. Co-founded in 1985 by me and the Rev. Benedict Groeschel, CFR, a noted preacher, and psychologist, Good Counsel has served more than 7,800 mothers and children, providing more than 758,400 nights of shelter.
Ideally, mothers stay in the program for up to a year, in order to reap the maximum benefits of our Life Skills Program. Staff and volunteers teach these program courses, which focus on nutrition, spirituality, health and chastity, social skills, computer education and more. Assistance is given in parenting, job skills, career placement and personal budgeting.
Last year more than 4,000 calls and online requests for help came from pregnant women and families. More than 40,000 people have been assisted through this helpline since it began during April, 1996. Good Counsel networks with other maternity homes around the nation as well in order to assist women.
Good Counsel has helped to open 11 similar homes in nine states, and continues to offer guidance and other assistance for people interested in opening maternity homes based on the Good Counsel model.
No matter what, Good Counsel will assist any woman who is pregnant and in need, with the help of God.
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Editor's note: Christopher Bell is executive director of Good Counsel Homes. This article was published at Life News and is reprinted with permission.
