Tag Archives: Director’s Report

Communications from our Executive Director

Our 17th Annual Banquet was held at the Doubletree on October 24th

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I met with our ushers in the boardroom. Denise happened by and took our picture. I commented that these are all future board members. We had 223 people register for the banquet. The evening went smoothly.

Users for our 17th Annual Banquet

Our theme for this special night was “Do Everything in Love”
1 Corinthians 16:14
Pastor Ruben Cabrera from Bethany Baptist in Gardner opened with prayer.

Our Pro-Life Achievement Award went to Dan Beauregard

Dan has been our IT guy since 2009. He served on the board from 2009 thru 2015. He was the one who took care of all the details when we had to put all our possessions in storage while we built up our new space. He oversees our two websites, our office computers and our telephone system. He attends Faith Evangelical Free Church in Acton MA.

Dan Beauregard

Pro-Abundant Life Video featuring Roland Warren

We followed the presentation with a Pro-Abundant Life Video featuring Roland Warren, President of Care Net National. Roland was previously involved with launching the Fatherhood Initiative in Washington, DC. He is passionate about the pro-life cause. As a young college student he and his girlfriend faced an unplanned pregnancy. They were counseled to abort but instead chose life.

Keynote Speaker, Bruce Binney

We had planned on three testimonies for our evening. Sophia, from Fitchburg State was going to be our videographer. God had other plans. We asked Bruce Binney if he would be our keynote speaker. He agreed.

He spoke about God’s plan that we do everything in love, he shared his story about being adopted and later learning that he was conceived in rape. He ended his talk with: “Do all things in love.” We here as Christians, believers in the great work of the cross, should be agents of God’s love and stand up for the children, those whose lives are endangered by our cultural standards and laws. We should be agents of God’s love to the hurting mothers who have been abandoned by the fathers of these children and see no other alternative except abortion. We should be agents of God’s love to those who have aborted their children, no, matter what the circumstances, showing compassion and care by bringing them the mercy. But we should never be complacent, we should never pretend that this holocaust isn’t happening and hide our heads in the sand, while so many are perishing. This is what I love about Care Net.

Keynote Speaker, Bruce Binney

Bruce lives in Gardner with his wife Karen. He is the father of two daughters and has four grandchildren. He started his involvement in the ministry of rescuing babies in the eighties as he stood outside an abortion center in Brookline, MA offering sidewalk counsel to women who considered abortion. He has a heart for God. Filled with a passion for life he went on to street evangelizing and went into shelters to help the men there. He currently serves as president of the board at our center. Bruce speaks to many of our local churches about our desire to do everything in love, being adopted he knows the loving choice that adoption is.

Thank you for your financial support

Wendy Mattis, our Director of Development appealed to our gathering for their financial support as we look forward to another year of serving our Lord by doing everything in love.

You may still make a donation at www.friendsofcarenetfitchburg.org

Respectfully,
Gail Gardner
Executive Director

In Every Thing Give Thanks

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On October 22nd , the women from the Apostolic Lutheran Church in Ashburnham held a baby shower for us.

  • Apostolic Lutheran Church in Ashburnham held a baby shower

Our Pregnancy Resource center in Fitchburg has a mission of help and hope to those facing an unplanned pregnancy. Our free ultrasounds enable women, men, and families facing an unplanned pregnancy see life inside the womb.

And our services do not end there, we have certified childbirth educators able and willing to do classes in childbirth. We have trained volunteers facilitating parenting classes, and we have a list of resources to share with our clients that need help.

Diapers are truly appreciated.

Diapers are truly appreciated

In addition, we have an “Earn while you Learn” program that allows our moms and dads to earn “Baby Bucks” as they do their classes. The credits earned are used to purchase new baby items in our boutique.

Earn while you Learn

Visit our website: www.carenetfitchburg.net Hours of operation are Monday – Friday 10:00 – 4:00

Baby Shower Lunenburg’s Woman’s Club

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Facing an unplanned pregnancy?  Making decisions can be difficult.  You need to know all of your options. Empowerment comes when you find the strength and resources necessary to make your best choice.  All our services are free of charge.  Services Provided:  Pregnancy Testing, Ultrasound, Options Counseling, Pregnancy & Childbirth Education, and  Parenting Classes.           

Our classes provide essential tools and foundations to build upon as you begin your parenting journey. 

Through the generous gifts of concerned friends of the center we have a baby boutique filled with new items for those who participate in our classes. Find out more when you enroll in one of our classes and get a chance to earn while you learn.

On March 1st, the Woman’s Club in Lunenburg held a baby shower for us.  We were blessed to bring the many items they donated to our boutique.  We are grateful for their support as we continue to serve the communities in our area.

Christmas Message from our Director

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As we approach Christmas we count our blessings.  May His blessings be yours now and forevermore. 

And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for he will save His people from their sins. Matthew 1:21

We were blessed to be invited to the Annual Christmas Gathering held by the Women’s Ministries of Fitchburg’s church of the Nazarene. And they blessed us with many gifts for our boutique.

Baby shows gifts from our friends at Fitchburg’s church of the Nazarene

Nancy LeShane had a wonderful program prepared for us.  It is powerful to spend an evening with our sisters in Christ.  The Nazarene women have stated that the purpose of their Women’s Ministries is to know God personally, grow in Christlikeness, discover and use spiritual gifts, love and serve others, and in all reflect the beauty of the Lord Jesus Christ.

“Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace, good will toward men”

And even more gifts from our sisters in Christ at Highland Baptist Church in Fitchburg.  Kristen Lyons organized the members of their women’s ministry team to honor CareNet PRC with a baby shower. 

Baby show gifts from our friends at Christ at Highland Baptist Church in Fitchburg

Wendy Mattis, our Director of Development and Paula Butler, our Nurse manager presented our story and Mindy’s story.  You can watch Mindy’s Story.  Go to www.friendsofcarenetfitchburg.org click on video’s then 2017 banquet.  David Benson’s story is on the website also.  And soon to be posted will be the video of Lorraines Story. 

Lorraine’s Story

Lorraine was diagnosed with breast cancer in June of 2017.  The diagnosis came just two days before her thirty first birthday.  She was told that she had to go on a hormone blocker and would probably never be able to have children.  It would be another month before she realized she was pregnant.  Her oncologist told her that pregnant women have had chemotherapy before and were able to have beautiful healthy babies.  It had its risks and not every doctor on her cancer team felt this way.  She said, “It became quite clear to me that my baby was my silver lining.  My little angel to get me through cancer.”  Being told that one of the risks with both the mastectomy and chemotherapy was preterm labor and lower birth weights, and since this was her first pregnancy she was desperate for knowledge to prepare myself for any outcome.  She said, “I googled pregnancy classes in Fitchburg and found CareNet Pregnancy Resource Center.  Each week I came in and received my own pregnancy class with two nurses.  They taught me the signs and symptoms of labor and what to expect in a preterm situation.  While going through the hardest time in my life, I was grateful to have them as a resource because they provided me with so much comfort and peace in unknown territory.”

Thank you and Merry Christmas to all our friends of Care Net Fitchburg.
Gail Gardner, Executive Director

Thank You to all our Friends of CareNet PRC – 2018 Banquet Director’s Report

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CARENET PRC Annual Banquet

“He hath made everything beautiful in His time.”  (Ecclesiastes 3:11)

Liz Jacoby, wife of Pastor David Jacoby from Messiah Lutheran Church ushered in our 16th Annual Banquet on October 18th by playing the violin as guests arrived.

After everyone was settled in our Board President Bruce Binney, who attends Mission of Grace Church in Gardner, opened with prayer and blessings for our food and for our rescue mission.

We sat down to a wonderful meal of roasted chicken breast with green beans and mushrooms and a healthy helping of mashed potatoes.  And a great big piece of carrot cake for dessert.

Next came our Executive Director, Gail Gardner who invited us to open the gift box on the table which contained two pre-born baby fetal models.

She then told the story of a wonderful gift the center received from the Knights of Columbus.  A gift of a new Ultrasound Machine that allows us to show Moms, Dads, Grandparents, and family a picture of the womb. 

Each year we present our Pro-Life Achievement Award to a member of our community that honors life and our work.  This year our award went to Dr. Mark Conrad, founder of the Northeast Pregnancy Resource Center Coalition.  Started in 2006, the Coalition has brought powerful training programs to us.  The most recent was John Ensor author of “Answering the Call” and president of PassionLife Ministries.  Mark was born and raised on the South Shore and retired from the US Navy in 2003.

Lorraine’s Story

Lorraine was diagnosed with breast cancer in June of 2017.  The diagnosis came just two days before her thirty first birthday.  She was told that she had to go on a hormone blocker and would probably never be able to have children.  It would be another month before she realized she was pregnant.  Her oncologist told her that pregnant women have had chemotherapy before and were able to have beautiful healthy babies.  It had its risks and not every doctor on her cancer team felt this way.  She said, “It became quite clear to me that my baby was my silver lining.  My little angel to get me through cancer.”  Being told that one of the risks with both the mastectomy and chemotherapy was preterm labor and lower birth weights, and since this was her first pregnancy she was desperate for knowledge to prepare myself for any outcome.  She said, “I googled pregnancy classes in Fitchburg and found CareNet Pregnancy Resource Center.  Each week I came in and received my own pregnancy class with two nurses.  They taught me the signs and symptoms of labor and what to expect in a preterm situation.  While going through the hardest time in my life, I was grateful to have them as a resource because they provided me with so much comfort and peace in unknown territory.”

After surviving a left sided mastectomy and a 16 week cycle of chemotherapy, her son Liam was born on Valentine’s Day, 2018.  How fitting that he would be born on a day of extra love.  “He is truly my little miracle and we made it through with help from family and from my friends at CareNet Pregnancy Resource Center.”

Our evening continued as Father Len Cowan, a priest serving in the Anglican Diocese of New England brought us a pro-life message.  He reminded us that God indeed makes everything beautiful in His time.  Cancer is hard and not a beautiful thing but a son is precious and beautiful.

“Let it be said of us, while we walked among the living, Let it be said of us, by the ones  we leave behind, Let it be said of us, that we lived to be a blessing for life.”

Our own board member Jackie Edme sings John Wallers song “The Blessing.”

“This day, you set life, you set death right before us, This day, every blessing and curse is a choice now, And we will choose to be a blessing for life.”

Great job Fitchburg Knights of Columbus

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Harry Hakala, Dan Cucchiara and Cheryl Jarvis Cucchiara dropped of all the diapers, wipes and clothes they had collected the month of May.   A check is also in the mail from the 50/50 Raffle they did at the club for the Mother’s Day Breakfast. Thank you Joshua Champagne for your help selling tickets. The Fitchburg Council #99 also donated a $1,000 towards a new Ultra Sound Machine for the center this past year.

The Choose Life License Plate supports pregnancy resource centers and maternity homes.  You can purchase your own Choose Life License plate by visiting your local Registry of Motor Vehicles or on-line at ChooseLifeMassachusetts.org

2018 Coalition Training

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It is an exciting time when we are able to gather with our co-workers from all over New England for a training.  Pictured are Rose and Laurie, Client Advocates, Gail, Executive Director, Aimee, LPN and Paula, Nurse Manager.  Wendy, our Director of Development took the picture.  We all met at Freedom Worship Center in West Boylston on May 30th.  Our teacher was Cynthia Hopkins, VP of Center Services and Client Care, Care Net headquarters in Virginia.  She gave us an introduction on how to be a “Pregnancy Decision Coach.”

“Jesus is our perfect example of qualities we want to emulate as we serve in the pregnancy center ministry.  His earthly ministry was characterized by many traits, including authenticity, acceptance, humility, and empathy.”  At the training we explored what each of these traits meant to us and how we would use them to bring compassion, hope and help to men and women facing unplanned pregnancy.

Choose Life Plate

Mark Conrad, facilitator, proudly wore his choose life plate t-shirt.  This training is underwritten by a grant from them.  If you don’t have a “Choose Life” plate it may be time for you to consider obtaining one.  It is a wonderful way to raise public awareness and  needed funding to support positive choices of Life, Adoption and Safe Havens for men and women facing unplanned pregnancies.

Spare some change to make a change

If you haven’t picked up a baby bottle to fill with change at your church, stop by the center and we’ll gladly give you one.

Annual Community Baby Shower

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Aimee Martinez, Wendy Mattis and Paula Butler

The Annual Community Baby Shower Hosted by WIC and MOC was held at the Elks in Leominster on Wed. May 9.  There was a great turnout with many local organizations represented at tables.  Many wonderful gifts were raffled off throughout the afternoon.  At the CareNet PRC table we gave away beautiful hand-knit infant sweater sets to pregnant women.  Many guests to our table enjoyed taking pictures with our baby models.  Guests would hold the baby model that is the same size as their expected baby and take a picture holding the baby model in front of their stomach.  As always, we felt very welcome at this event and were happy to see familiar faces!  (picture includes Aimee Martinez, Wendy Mattis and Paula Butler).

Aldersgate Methodist Church Women’s Group gives Baby Shower

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The Aldersgate Methodist Church Women’s Group gives a Baby Shower for Care Net PRC Fitchburg, MA.

What a joy it was to be with the Women’s Group at Aldersgate Methodist Church in Chelmsford, Massachusetts!  On April 21st the Aldersgate Women’s group gathered and hosted a baby shower for our CareNet Baby Boutique.  After a lovely luncheon and time of fellowship we gathered for a few minutes to hear all about CareNet PRC and how their wonderful gifts of baby items will help to stock our boutique at 515 Main St. in Fitchburg, Ma.  After taking pregnancy, childbirth or parenting classes, parents earn Boutique Bucks and are invited to shop in the CareNet Boutique for their new baby. Here at CareNet we are so happy to have this new relationship with the beautiful people at the Aldersgate Methodist Church in Chelmsford and are thankful for their generosity through this shower!

Newly Acquired Ultrasound Machine is our Gift for Christmas

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Left to right. Paula Butler, Mike Malanson, Gail Gardner, and Fr. Dolan

God works in mysterious ways.  His ways are not ours.  In 2006 we were able to purchase a Toshiba ultrasound machine with a grant from Focus on the Family.  That machine is now over 12 years old.  It was time for us to consider replacing the one we have.  Pictured above is our newly acquired Esaote Ultrasound machine.  On the left is Paula Butler our Nurse Manager and sonographer.  Behind her is Mike Malanson of the Knights of Columbus St. Anthony of Padua council.  The lady in red is Gail Gardner, Executive Director and behind her is Fr. Dolan, rector of St. Bernards.

Our mission is to offer life-affirming alternatives to abortion and compassionate counsel to those who face pregnancy and abortion related issues.  The ability to take a picture of the baby in the womb helps.  So let me share with you the story of how this gift made its way to our clinic.

The reason I selected the scripture, “Follow me and I will make you fishers of men” is because my tale begins at SS Lobster.  Every Tuesday my friend Sharon and I go to SS for dinner.  This one particular Tuesday, just before Thanksgiving, a couple of gentlemen stood behind us to place their order.  I couldn’t help but notice that their name badges had “Knights of Columbus” on them so I said, “I see you guys are from the Knights.”  They replied, “Yes, is there anything we can do for you?”  I said, you can get us a new ultrasound machine.  We went to our table and they took the table behind us.  I told them I was director of a center in Fitchburg and the ultrasound we have is over 12 years old.  We talked a while and he handed me his card.  I learned that he lived and grew up in Fitchburg.  The next day at work I sent him an email inviting him to stop by for a tour of the center.  That was November 15th.  On December 5th I get a call from Mike Malanson telling me that Mark Suomala, the Knight I had spoken to at SS Lobster had been in touch with him.  Through a series of events, there was a unit available.  A center in Revere had recently purchased a portable unit and no longer needed their Esaote machine.  On December 11th Mike and Paula’s husband Mark traveled to Revere to pick up the unit and bring it to us.  Mike asked Fr. Dolan to come in and bless the unit, and he did. 

The psalmist tells us that God, “formed our inward parts; and knitted us together in our mother’s womb.”  (Psalm 139:13)

Through the technology of ultrasounds we get to see babies in the womb.  God’s gift.  What a way to affirm life.  We are ever grateful and amazed at how God works.

Merry Christmas