SMPC Newsletter Summer 2023

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Summer ‘23

Where Life Is Beautiful!

Priscilla & Baby Sacramento, Jr.

From Jennifer Carey,

Sarasota Medical Pregnancy Center’s CEO

Hello, friends and donors,

I’m delighted to tell you our Center expects to reach 1,200 new clients in 2023! Did you know SMPC has a full eighteen months of cost-free services accessible to thousands of women and their families?

One current client shared,

“We didn’t have a gynecologist or other parenthood support networks. SMPC has an amazing social services navigation team that connected us with Healthy Start and a whole plethora of knowledge and access to everything we needed. We are grateful for the Center and its provision for us when we needed help the most.”

One method that helps sustain SMPC’s momentum is Monthly Giving. Each donor determines a monthly commitment they can cheerfully give.

You can scan the QR code and be directed to our secure online giving page. You can mail in a check. You can reach out to us to discuss your specific giving approach. We’re happy to help find a giving method that works for you.

Call or email the Center for information on planning and making your one-time gift or to set up your monthly reoccurring gift.

941-264-1407 or Finance@SarasotaPregnancy.com

Our Center belongs to the community, and we welcome you to visit us. You will be amazed at the depth of the love and services we provide to our community every day, and you too will be proud of our clients, staff and volunteers for their inspiring commitment to life.

For life and with joyful appreciation,

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pregnancy in 2021 and they knew I would need a little extra support with this pregnancy,” shares Priscilla, a SMPC client.

At the time, Priscilla was already a mom of three beautiful children ages 6, 8, and 10. She and her partner, Sacramento, were excited about having a child together.

“I’m an older mom; I was 40 when I was expecting my fourth child. Our whole family was so excited about this new baby who would be joining our family.”

When Sacramento, Jr. was born the doctors were concerned about some medical issues. It took weeks to confirm Sacramento, Jr.,’s Down Syndrome diagnosis.

“I didn’t know what to expect when I learned my baby had Down Syndrome. For a little bit I was devasted—I just thought the worst. But my mom said, ‘No worry, Priscilla, this baby will bring you much joy.’ She was so right.”

Priscilla engaged with SMPC’s Earn While You Learn programming and earned Junior’s diapers and wipes, a Pack ‘n Play sleep set, and benefitted from Miss Martha as her EWYL peer advocate.

“Miss Martha was incredible. She and my mom so encouraged and soothed my heart when Junior was diagnosed. She helped me with the right videos to watch and learn—especially the one on the differences in my baby’s cries. That was so helpful for me during Junior’s first year.”

“My children are all precious to me and they are precious to one another. I’m so grateful for the kindness and generosity of SMPC during this time in our lives.”

*All photos are of actual SMPC clients.

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Meet Tamara and baby Dexter

Tamara needed to confirm her unplanned pregnancy—that’s how she found Sarasota Medical Pregnancy Center.

Tamara is a single mom; she has a five-year old son and is currently parenting her one-year-old niece. When she learned of her unplanned pregnancy her first thought was “How am I going to feed all of us? I can hardly do this now, and here I am expecting again.”

Almost immediately after confirming her pregnancy at SMPC, Tamara visited with one of the Center’s behavioral health counselors. “I was really in a crossroads between choices. I did not want to be judged; I was struggling with my situation and was upset and desperate. My wonderful counselor listened to me without judging me. She helped me to see how I could keep my baby and overcome the challenges I faced. She helped me to feel comfortable about speaking up for myself.”

Early in Tamara’s pregnancy she had a cost-free ultrasound at SMPC. “That ultrasound was so amazing. I saw my son’s features—he was a person, just a really tiny one. And now that he’s born, my favorite thing about Dexter is his beautiful unique features. I saw those while he was still growing inside of me!”

After Dexter’s delivery, the behavioral health counselor checked in with Tamara. “She kept me connected to the Center. I trust her because she always let me make my own decisions without any pressure. I made the choice to keep my baby boy and to parent him. The Center is there to help me with so many things to help me get a strong start.”

Being able to afford another child was part of Tamara’s early indecision. The social services navigation team provides invaluable referrals and the Earn While You Learn programming provided continuing education and credits to “buy” diapers and wipes in the SMPC boutique.

“Having access to all of SMPC’s resources throughout my pregnancy and now in my son’s first year, truly saved his life and mine. I’m so blessed to be Dexter’s mother.”

Thank you, Donors

“I can hardly tell the donors how much me and my family appreciate their support of Sarasota Medical Pregnancy Center.

I can hardly believe their love. They thought of me and my baby and all the other moms and theirs too.

No matter how big or small a donor’s support is, it tremendously blesses me and so many others.

“I just don’t know who I would be today if I weren’t Dexter’s mom.”

Their support changed my life and made a life possible for my son.”

Love, Tamara and Dexter

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*All photos are of actual SMPC clients.
SMPC’s Annual GOLF & GIVE event supporting Men’s & Couples’ Coaching Save the Date for SMPC’s 2024 Life Is Beautiful! Benefit Dinner & Silent Auction Plan your calendar now for the 2024 Life Is Beautiful! benefit event. March 20th and March 21st for dinner and March 21st for luncheon at Michael’s On East Registration details coming soon. Celebration Time! Join us for Sarasota Medical Pregnancy Center’s Campus Expansion Open House Wednesday 20 September 2023 9:00 a.m.–11:00 a.m.
coffee & pastries
Upcoming Events
Gourmet

Meet Jon

from SMPC’s Men’s Coaching program

Jon, a client and new dad, shared “I value the conversations we’ve had in Men’s Coaching about building and leaving a legacy for my son.

I know our culture is making things difficult for parents who are trying to raise wholesome families, but I still believe that being a dad is the most rewarding and honorable thing I can do as a man.”

Wow!

How inspiring our clients are to us all….

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Jon with Brad Mason, SMPC Men’s Coach *All photos are of actual SMPC clients.
A copy of the official registration and financial information may be obtained from the division of consumer services website at www.800helpfla.com or by calling toll-free 1-800-435-7352 within the state. Registration does not imply endorsement, approval or recommendation by the state. Registration number: CH23368. 100% of each contribution is received by Sarasota Medical Pregnancy Center. 1762 Hawthorne Street, Suite 5 Sarasota, FL 34239 941-264-1403 contact@sarasotapregnancy.com www.sarasotapregnancy.com Sarasota Medical Pregnancy Center provides medical services, reproductive health education and support at no cost, empowering our community to make healthy life choices—physically, emotionally and spiritually—in a confidential and caring environment. Mission Scan to SupportSMPC!

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