2023 Spring Newsletter

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CHOICES THRIFT BOUTIQUE

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FROM THE HEART

NEWS FROM CHOICES OF THE HEART

MOBILIZE;WE'VE ONLY JUST BEGUN

It was an exciting night on March 30th, when we hosted our first annual Mobilize event. The event had over 50 churches represented with 268 people present, many were senior pastors or church staff and their families. Seth Gruber was our keynote speaker, and he delivered a fantastic message about making sure that our pulpits made the unborn a priority. We were also able to update the pastors on the current proposed legislation in NJ impacting pregnancy centers and their advertising. Lucien's provided a beautiful venue and our worship team lead by Jake Hoopes and Justina DiFeterici were fabulous.

MISSION STATEMENT

To protect the unborn by empowering individuals in Southern New Jersey to make healthy life choices

Happy Mother's Day & Father's Day!

We were very excited to have in the audience, several physicians, both retired and active, along with other medical personnel . I cannot overstate the importance of pregnancy centers having the ability to network with the medical community. It was just over a month ago that our prior medical director resigned due to the consumer alert that was issued by the State. Upon our physician's sudden departure God provided another physician, Dr. Gerard Ventrella who became our new Medical Director. Ultrasound cannot be provided to clients in our office without a physician's oversight. This is very hard to come by in a state where abortion on demand is part of a doctor's regular training. It's pivotal that pro-life doctors understand their need on the front lines of this battle.

Everyone left the evening equipped with information about Choices of the Heart and a sample letter to write to their legislators regarding the current bill on the docket. We encouraged every pastor to present to their congregation the facts about what is going on in New Jersey. We pray that every church who was present makes that sample letter available to their congregants so they can each write to their specific legislator to affirm life and oppose the bill.

I think that I personally stated over 100 times that this was not a fundraising event. This event was bigger than that. It's impact we may not know for months. This we do know. We obeyed God. We spoke for those who cannot speak for themselves. We presented the case for life, and prayed that all left different than they came. Thank you to everyone who was a part of this gathering.

This is certain; Mobilize is not over. In fact, I think we have only just begun.

Rita Reyes

Executive Director

A FRIEND IN NEED

She was panic stricken and completely shocked. Her name was Dina. She had taken a pregnancy test and it was positive but how could this be, when she had not had any sexual interaction in roughly 8 months? If she was in fact pregnant, in her mind she needed an abortion as soon as possible.

When she called us, we asked her to take a deep breath and allow us to help her through this very scary time. First, we needed to know if she confirmed this pregnancy with an ultrasound and if she was feeling movement. We asked if she was showing, her response was no to every question.

To our ears, none of this made sense. Dina agreed to come in for an ultrasound. Days before her appointment with us, she called and said she scheduled an abortion. Her main reason was that she feared delivering. Her gynecologist found a place that would perform a full-term abortion and referred her there.

Dina still had not gotten an ultrasound, so we asked if she understood the abortion procedure that she was about to undergo. Dina had no idea. We explained in depth, which included informing her that if she was as far long as we thought she would still have to go through labor and delivery. She was completely blindsided.

Dina cancelled that abortion appointment. She reconfirmed her ultrasound scan with us. She came in accompanied by her close friend who was helping her get through this challenging time. Our scan revealed what we suspected; a 34-week pregnancy! Her baby was full term! Dina had felt no movement and not a single symptom of pregnancy up to this point.

In my experience, I had never witnessed a case like this. Dina decided to parent the baby. Her friend assured her repeatedly that she could get through this and that she would be there for her, every step of the way.

Today, Dina has a beautiful healthy baby girl. She is in absolute awe of her daughter. Mom and baby are both doing great and the baby’s middle name is after Dina’s close friend, who was there with her through it all!

A friend loves at all times...

- Proverbs 17:17

Courtney Garaguso Client Advocate

MY ABILITY TO BRING NEW LIFE INTO THE WORLD HAS BEEN A GIFT

Antoinette Garcia Special to the USA TODAY Network

TO MY LIFE

This editorial was published by northjersey.com on April 20th 2023. We are honored for our center to have been chosen and highlighted publicly through this client’s story. (Tissues recommended).

For most people, the summer after graduating from high school is a time to enjoy with family, pick out dorm room decorations and patiently wait for the excitement that comes with starting college. Rather than preparing for move-in day with my parents, I was telling them I was unexpectedly pregnant.

They told me that at such a young age I would never be able to raise a child and that if I followed through with the pregnancy, my life would be over. They scheduled an abortion for me, believing that my success depended upon attending college that fall.

I arrived at the clinic with uncertainty and great doubt.

I can remember sitting on the table as the woman started the ultrasound to determine my baby’s positioning. While I was overcome with emotion and fear, I noticed a small flash on the screen out of the corner of my eye. My baby’s heart. As I turned to face the screen, my baby turned with me and I was able to see her spine. I asked the woman performing the ultrasound what I was seeing and was told that they were "just buds."

I knew however, that what I saw before me was my growing daughter. I saw her arms and her legs and her tiny beating heart, despite the woman’s attempts to distract me from them. Not only could I see life, but I could hear it

WELCOME OUR NEW STAFF!

Wendy Dressler Abby Simmons Office Administrator Registered Diagnostic Medical Sonographer & Client Advocate

DESTINATION CHOICE

Look for our mobile unit at a location near you Volunteers needed!

Antoinette Garcia & daughter

WE NEED YOUR SUPPORT!

For emails to your legislative representative Assembly Bill 2145

Use the QR code at the bottom.

(Sample text)

Dear Senator/Assemblyman_______________

I am a constituent who is requesting your support of our local pregnancy center ________________. Pregnancy centers are heavily supported by local churches and many individuals like me in the community. The recent consumer alert and current bill A2145 are items we vehemently oppose. The centers in my community take great pride in providing truth in love to all. Deceptive advertising and practices should be of grave concern to NJ residents, but these are NOT the methods of the center(s) I support. In fact, I too share deep concerns about deception but as it relates to the practices of abortion providers. This bill does not address an equal representation for those concerns. Pregnancy centers provide a multitude of resources to the underserved in our community. They don’t rely on state funding for those services and everything they do is free to everyone. Their funding comes from donors like me who believe in the life affirming work they provide. Say no to bill A2145.

Scan the QR code to email your legislatior and vote NO to Bill A2145

Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute

Proverbs 31:8

WAYS TO CONNECT

VOLUNTEERING

Join our mission! Volunteers are needed for many roles in our ministry. Volunteer orientations are on the last Thursday of every month 11 am via zoom. Email outreach@choicesoftheheart.com to request an invite.