Because of Hope 2022

Our Mission

Our Vision

Passion

Miracles Do Happen!

expectant moms, dads, and families. In addition to childbirth preparation and breastfeeding support, we are eager to add life-skills classes requested by our expectant parents, including career planning and money management.

In the few months since the Dobbs decision, which paved the way for Georgia’s Heartbeat Bill, we have seen an increase in resource needs and referrals. In response to these needs, we plan to add a Social Work Specialist to the team in 2023. Real help and real hope, thanks to your support!

Our God is a miracle-working God. The fact that a new life is created when egg and sperm unite is nothing short of miraculous. The fact that He knew us before He formed us in the womb is astounding.

And the fact that a majority of our Supreme Court justices overturned Roe v. Wade, after 50 years as federal law, proves that He answers prayer!

He knows the plans He has for us – for every person created in His image – and those plans include our welfare, plans to prosper and not harm us, plans to give us hope and a future. He wants our deep assurance to be in Him, and He wants us to share His great hope with others.

He gave The HOPE Center its name for a purpose, and together we are fulfilling His call to provide hope!

We are so excited about the future the Lord is opening before us. Yet another expansion is underway at our facility on Molly Lane. The additional space will provide us opportunities to expand our resource offerings and help build community among our

Life is hard, as anyone who has lived long enough can attest. But even though the Lord does not offer us an easy life, He does offer us an abundant life filled with joy and peace. We experience this abundant life when we use our gifts to serve others; when we respond to, and offer to others, His invitation in Matthew 11:28-30: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

There has never been a better time for the Church, the body of Christ, to share the abundant life He offers.

How will you engage? As a volunteer, a financial supporter, a prayer partner, a church or community partner? How will the Lord use you to help fulfill the vision of The HOPE Center? A community where every life is valued, and families thrive in the love of Christ.

Because of Hope!

Cindy O’Leary Executive Director

Overview of The HOPE Center

Serving abortion-vulnerable women for over 30 years, The HOPE Center has always existed to equip pregnant women to choose life. Since 1990, our ministry has expanded greatly, offering services to women, men, and the community under the umbrella of The HOPE Center through Options Medical Clinic, Image Clear Ultrasound Atlanta, Men of Hope, the Earn While You Learn program, and Seeds Thrift Boutique.

Through Options Medical Clinic and our ICU Mobile Unit, we offer free medical services and options counseling while meeting spiritual and practical needs through baby clothes, formula, diapers, parenting classes, medical ultrasounds, and more.

Through Men of Hope, we mentor men to be strong spiritual leaders of their families, and help couples strengthen their relationships through Christian principles.

Through our Earn While You Learn program, we provide practical assistance, one-on-one mentorship, and education for parents from pregnancy through a child’s second birthday.

Through Seeds Thrift Boutique, the sale of quality donated clothing, baby items, furniture, and home décor contributes greatly to The HOPE Center ministry. Although open to the general public, our Earn While You Learn participants benefit from their ability to earn significant discounts on needed resources at Seeds.

Instead of succumbing to the feeling that abortion is their only option, many women and their partners realize they’ll have support and resources if they choose to parent or make an adoption plan.

All of our services are provided free of charge thanks to your support! The HOPE Center does not receive any government funding and relies solely on the tax-deductible donations of our generous supporters and partners.

To donate, visit SupportHopeCenter.com/Donate or scan the QR Code.

Moving From Inconvenience to Blessing

The HOPE Center was not on Keyunna Lovelace’s radar. She and her husband, Chris, were young, free, and enjoying their lives together – just the two of them. She was not supposed to get pregnant so soon. She scheduled an abortion so they could move on without the inconvenience of the pregnancy.

Before her abortion, Keyunna and Chris decided to find out how far along she was. When they arrived at The HOPE Center, they were expecting a quick ultrasound and chat with a nurse, but they got so much more.

During the ultrasound, the sonographer began to gently ask them about their plans for the baby and why they were considering termination. These

questions made Keyunna and her husband think. They were in a good situation – married and making good money. Why did they need to get an abortion? The HOPE Center provided the perfect environment for them to pause and take a deep breath before making such a huge decision.

After their visit to The HOPE Center, the Lovelaces chose life for their baby. They both came from Christian backgrounds and knew it was the right decision.

During her visit to The HOPE Center, Keyunna was gifted a $25 gift card to Seeds Thrift Boutique, an arm of The HOPE Center ministry, which she kept in her wallet. After Julien was born, their financial situation started to look better, but Keyunna still had that gift card in her wallet. One day at a local restaurant, she was able to gift that card to their pregnant waitress. “I was able to pass along the gift that The HOPE Center gave me,” she said as she described the encounter.

Keyunna and her family are a beautiful picture of life, a life chosen even though it seemed inconvenient at the time. Because of The HOPE Center and because of their decision, Keyunna and Chris are now the joyful parents of two beautiful children.

Pregnancy Center Myths vs. Facts

Myth: “You can’t help women choose life. There’s no choice anymore.”

Fact: The overturning of Roe v. Wade did not ban abortion, it gave the authority to regulate abortion to the people and their elected representatives. Every state has the right to make abortion legal up until birth, if that’s what the people vote in on a state level. Currently in Georgia, since the implementation of the L.I.F.E. Act in July 2022, abortion is illegal after a heartbeat becomes detectable (around 5½ to 7 weeks gestation).

Myth: “Pregnancy resource centers don’t even have staff with actual medical training.”

Fact: The HOPE Center is a medical clinic, operating under a Medical Director. We employ trained and licensed medical professionals who provide our medical services.

Myth: “You’re pro-birth. You don’t care about the mom.”

Fact: The lives of both mom AND baby are equally valued. Our mission is to equip pregnant women to choose life. One of the ways we do this is by providing practical resources and support for moms (and dads) through our Earn While You Learn program. Learn more at SupportHopeCenter.com/How-We-Help

Myth: “Your center is funded by taxpayer money that was intended for welfare.”

Fact: The HOPE Center is funded by generous monthly supporters, individual donors, annual fundraising events, and church support. We do not receive any government funding.

To donate or learn more about The HOPE Center and how we come alongside women (and families), scan the QR code or visit SupportHopeCenter.com.

The

Love

Chromosome

Are Babies With Down syndrome Really a Blessing? Ask Derrick Tennant

When expectant parents are informed that their unborn baby has Down syndrome, many wonder whether they should continue the pregnancy. They often fear the future, and what kind of life they and their child may experience. Abortion is often recommended to families grappling with such fears. But

Derrick and Julie Tennant know better. Julie was born with Down syndrome. And her brother Derrick, who has his own disability, has a unique way of fighting for the lives of these precious people.

Derrick simply asks the question: “Do you want your kids to be happy?” Most parents — even those who initially name success, fortune, or good health as their dreams for their children — would concede that at the end of the day, they most want their kids to be happy. That can be a challenge. In fact, a survey from The Harris Poll found only 31% of American adults report being happy. But what if there was a way to practically guarantee happiness — for your kids and for yourself?

Derrick believes there are three ways to almost guarantee happiness. The first, he admits, is difficult. It’s to be a dog. Dogs are always happy. But that’s probably not in the cards for any of us. The second,

Derrick says, is to be born with Down syndrome. When parents ask: “What kind of life will they be condemning their child to?” Derrick’s response is surprising.

It will most likely be the life parents desire for their children: a deeply happy and joyful one!

And research backs him up. In fact, Derrick frequently cites a study similar to The Harris Poll’s with a startingly different result. In this second survey, a whopping 99% of participants reported that they were happy. What was the difference between the two groups? You guessed it: The members of the second

group all had Down syndrome. And Derrick doesn’t just base his assertion that having Down syndrome is a great way to be happy on statistics. He’s seen joy personified in the form of his sister, Julie.

Doctors say that Julie was born with an extra chromosome. But Julie’s grandfather disagreed. He thought Julie had the perfect number of chromosomes. The rest of us are short one. Derrick likes to refer to Julie’s extra genetic material as the “Love Chromosome.” Julie herself wishes everyone could have one. Her extra chromosome has filled her life with hope, joy, and love that spill over to everyone she meets. That includes Derrick. And he’s not alone.

That same study of people with Down syndrome also interviewed their siblings who were age 12 or older. The researchers found that 88% believed they were better people because of their sibling with Down syndrome. Derrick certainly considers himself part of that group! Of course, not everyone will be blessed with a child or a sibling with Down

syndrome — or win the chromosome happiness lottery themselves. Luckily, Derrick believes there’s a third way to ensure a happy life.

That third way is to choose generosity. Derrick believes that by sharing what you have, you receive many benefits in return. He likens being generous to having a magical bank account. Suppose, he says, every time you spend $100 to bless someone else, $400 is deposited into your account. You wouldn’t be able to give money away fast enough! That bank account might not exist, but Derrick believes love works the same way.

Derrick has learned this principle from watching Julie, who, he says, “loves organically.” Julie has been doing this ever since she was very young. At just five years old, Julie wandered away from her mother in the grocery store. This was terrifying enough. Then imagine her mother’s horror when she saw Julie throw herself into the arms of a strange man. And not just any strange man. A greasy, dirty, unwashed man who

smelled even worse than he looked. Julie’s mother rushed up to retrieve her child. But to her shock, she saw that the man was crying. “Lady,” he told her as he hugged Julie, “I can’t tell you the last time somebody wanted to hold me.” Julie had simply sensed his need for love and hurried to meet it.

Derrick says that the generous love of God, his family and his friends gave him the hope he needed to keep going after a random brain bleed left him with left-sided paralysis. With their support, he was able to believe that his life was still valuable. He saw the incredible value in Julie’s life. And he knew his could be similar—if he chose to live with love and generosity. Now, Derrick shares his message of selfish generosity around the world. He’s inspired thousands of people to make themselves happier by making others happy. And when you give generously to people in need, you can give them the hope they need to keep going, too.

Many parents choose to end pregnancies because they’re worried that disabilities will keep their children from having happy lives. Derrick and Julie are both living proof that that simply isn’t true. But there have been times that they’ve both needed hope to keep going. They’re extremely grateful for the people who have supported them along the way so they can spread happiness to others.

If you’re reading this, you probably aren’t a dog. You may not have Down syndrome. But you may be a parent yourself, or care deeply about the experiences of other parents. And the best way to help the kids in your life be happy is to be happy yourself. When you model generosity to your kids and the kids around you, you set an example that can set them up for lifetimes of happiness. And what parent doesn’t want that?

Integrity & Quality

Two main things our company is built on.

We are a full-service residential and commercial HVAC company, specializing in service and repair in Northwest Atlanta.

BRODY HVAC IS A FAMILY FIRST AND A BUSINESS SECOND.

Our company has been intentionally named after my son, Brody, to be an example to him based on our two company principles: Integrity & Quality.

These are virtues that I do my best to instill in him everyday and are the cornerstones of our business. We specialize in improvement in airflow and efficiency. We can analyze your current system and determine where we can help save you money on your electric bill. If you have a suspicion that your system is not operating to its best ability, or don’t know if your previous installation experience is one you want to repeat, please give us a call.

HOPE Is Mobile

A unique benefit The HOPE Center is able to offer to women is its Image Clear Ultrasound (ICU) mobile unit. As the name suggests, this RV-style medical center on wheels allows The HOPE Center to bring services directly to pregnant women in the metro Atlanta area.

The mobile project began back in 2013, soon after The HOPE Center’s Executive Director and Nurse Manager boarded an Image Clear Ultrasound Mobile unit at the national Care Net conference, and right after Nina Dofflemyer graduated from college. Nina had completed two internships with The HOPE Center, and she was ready to step into a new role as the Mobile Coordinator.

The ICU Mobile headquarters in Akron, Ohio offered great support. They did collaborative site planning, identifying local areas with the highest numbers of abortions and finding nearby parking lots where they could set up the unit. Once site planning was

complete, the team went to Ohio for more in-depth training and to collect their mobile unit. They drove it all the way back to Atlanta, and were thrilled to finally see it parked behind the center. They couldn’t wait to get rolling.

The HOPE Center’s mobile team kept track not only of how many women they were reaching, but also how vulnerable these women were to considering abortion. They continued to refine the site selection process to reach the most underserved areas. Currently, the mobile unit is primarily active in Fulton County, Georgia. In 2020, the county’s overall abortion rate was 16.7%. But in the particular zip codes that the mobile unit serves, it’s 33%. This figure is tragically high, but it has allowed the team to see where their services are needed most.

Alicia Davis took over as Mobile Unit Operations Coordinator in 2019, after being one of the original client advocates on the mobile unit. Alicia loves

(L-R) Sonographers Katie Dunman and Torie Roberts alongside Alicia Davis, Mobile Unit Operations Coordinator, outside of The HOPE Center’s ICU Mobile unit.

overseeing the mobile ministry, which continues to offer the same services that Options Medical Clinic provides, but brings the services directly to the women of metro Atlanta who otherwise wouldn’t be able to visit The HOPE Center in Woodstock.

In addition to pregnancy testing, the mobile unit team offers ultrasounds to help determine if a pregnancy is viable and to date the pregnancy. They also offer options information, decision support, and resources. Women who access these services are typically surprised and grateful to learn that these services are free. The free services pave the way for the client advocates to build relationships built on trust. In fact, Alicia says, “We know that we’re serving and loving well when we have women come back to us even if they chose to have the abortion. They know we are championing them to choose life, but also know that we will still welcome them with open arms if they choose to abort.”

The team continues to offer post-abortive women emotional and spiritual resources, and support to encourage their healing. And of course, they offer needed support to women who choose life. They have begun to offer virtual parenting classes similar to what is available at the brick and mortar office in Woodstock.

These virtual “Earn While You Learn” visits are being faithfully overseen by Sylvia Comer, a former mobile unit advocate, who is currently engaged in higher education for Christian counseling. Sylvia has steeped herself in prayer and in the Word, and as a result brings a calming effect along with a distinctly Biblical perspective into every conversation she has with the mobile clients. Visits with Sylvia are available to Earn While You Learn clients up until the baby’s second

birthday. Each visit brings the opportunity to earn diapers, wipes, and other needed items.

In addition, the mobile team is also on the lookout for local churches to partner in a variety of ways including: mentors for new moms, women’s groups to throw baby showers, post-partum support, and physical space in which groups can meet. Alicia hopes to see local mom groups form that will give women community and support right where they live, as well as provide volunteer opportunities for many of the clients who have expressed an interest in giving back to the community.

The mobile unit team typically looks for areas they can return to week after week. This lets them build relationships within the communities they serve, and be a predictable presence whenever women need them. A new and exciting opportunity for the mobile team is its partnership with student-led ministries and organizations on Kennesaw State University’s campus.

Through these partnerships, the mobile unit serves the campus one day a week. Alicia concludes, “I still feel really humbled and honored when people allow us to share space with them in those really hard moments of their lives. To me, that’s what Jesus is all about. He came to us. He came to our space and occupied the space with us. That’s what I love about the Mobile going to women.”

To learn more about how you can support the ICU Mobile Unit, visit SupportHopeCenter.com or reach out directly to Alicia Davis, Mobile Unit Operations Coordinator (aliciadavis@hopectr.com).

Much Good Can Come From Great Difficulty

When Erin was just 16 years old, one choice changed her life. A high school junior, Erin wasn’t preoccupied with prom or the PSAT. Those concerns faded into the background when she learned was pregnant.

Erin knew this decision was hers alone. Her parents, overwhelmed by the crisis, offered support but had no reference in how to help her navigate this unplanned pregnancy. She was alone and needed guidance and support. But she’d seen the power of one previous choice. And she was determined to make a better one for her baby.

Erin prayed about her decision and felt drawn to adoption. She told her older brother, who encouraged her to pursue that option. She believed it was the right choice, but knew it wasn’t going to be easy. She wasn’t sure where to start to find the right place for her baby.

Thankfully, about two months into her pregnancy, Erin discovered The HOPE Center. There, Erin found the support she’d been missing. The center’s director, Deborah, welcomed her like a daughter. Through weekly counseling sessions, volunteers walked Erin through every step of her pregnancy as she journeyed toward adoption. The atmosphere was one of pure encouragement. Erin recalls, “I never felt judged, ever. Just loved and supported.”

There was one slight problem, though. Erin had seen the effects of lowering her standards. She wasn’t about to do the same for her son. She developed a questionnaire for potential parents — which ran almost 100 questions long! With two months to go until her due date, she still hadn’t found the perfect fit.

In the midst of this gut-wrenching search, Erin was also trying to finish high school. One day after school, her

homeroom teacher sought her out. The teacher’s sister had recently endured a miscarriage and was considering adoption instead. Would Erin be willing to talk to her?

Erin agreed. She had her questionnaire ready. But it only took one question — what do you believe about God? — for Erin to know she’d found her son’s parents. Peace and relief flooded her.

She had decided just in time. Baby Jordan arrived two weeks early. Erin’s deepest desire for her delivery was that Jordan’s new mom be in the room when Jordan was born. Jeanne was a plane ride away, but dropped everything when she heard that Erin was in labor. She walked in thirty minutes before Jordan made his debut.

As soon as Jordan was born, Erin asked the doctor to give him to his new mommy. She wanted Jeanne to be the first to hold him. Erin recalls, “I’ll never forget her face and her tears and the joy that was in the room. It was a beautiful moment. I’ve never regretted it one day in my life.”

Erin knew she’d made the right choice for her son. And she wanted Jordan to know that his parents had chosen him. She never thought his adoption should be a surprise or a secret. Instead, she says, “I wanted him to know that he was chosen by love and that it was a godly decision.”

Jordan’s parents honored her wishes and her story. They always spoke highly of Erin and the courage of her choice. They sent her pictures and updates as Jordan grew. When Jordan turned 16, they gave him the letter 16-year-old Erin had written to her baby boy. She shared her story and her hopes for her son — hopes that have since been met and exceeded.

When Jordan was 23, he decided he was ready to meet Erin. The reunion took place at the home of his aunt — Erin’s former teacher. The honor and respect Jordan’s parents gave Erin laid the groundwork for a natural

relationship. If anything, Erin says, Jordan had to learn that she wasn’t Superwoman!

Now 29, Jordan lives nearby and leads worship at a local church. He’s always felt chosen — by Erin, by his parents, and by God. He recognizes the love that permeates his story.

Jordan isn’t the only one at peace with his story. Erin is, too — and now she’s using it to help others.

In February, Erin returned to The HOPE Center, this time as an advocate. The Holy Spirit had been nudging her in that direction, and when Jordan suggested it as well, she knew it was time to jump in. In August, Erin became a member of the staff, and she serves as an advocate on board the Mobile and in the Center.

Now, Erin shares her story with young women who need the same support she did. She celebrates the beauty of adoption and how the Lord can use it. She knows it’s not a popular route and that it can be extremely difficult. But she also sees the good that can come of it — she and her son have experienced it. So, she simply tells her story. “Living through it,” she says, “has helped the testimony land. I’m speaking from my heart.”

Scan the QR Code to watch a video about Erin, Jordan, Jeanne and Scott.

Saying Yes to God’s Leading

The last few years have brought significant changes to many of God’s servants. Heather Goodbread is no exception. Three years ago, she didn’t know much at all about The HOPE Center. But when a deacon at her church invited her to a banquet celebrating the center, she wanted to learn more. Now, she’s serving as the Center Director.

Her journey with The HOPE Center began shortly after the banquet – she wanted to consider volunteering. With over 10 years of experience working with new mothers as a lactation consultant, Heather thought her skills might be useful. Her expertise included breastfeeding, infant feeding, sleep education, supporting mothers, and working with mothers in the home.

Maria Douglas, the Volunteer and Education Manager, was eager to bring Heather on board. Maria encouraged Heather, alleviated any concerns she had, and gave her practical advice for moving forward.

Early in 2020, Heather began volunteering as an advocate. Advocates are the front-lines volunteers who typically meet one-on-one with Options Medical Clinic and HOPE Center clients.

Heather started to hit her stride and feel comfortable and confident working with women and families. When COVID hit, Heather felt as though the rug had been pulled out from under her. She was overjoyed when they were finally able to bring women back into the center.

Despite this joy, changes in her personal life and work were affecting her availability for volunteering. So she went back to Maria to discuss her options. And, once again, Maria encouraged and challenged her—this time to step into a whole new role. She reminded Heather that the Center Director position was open, and asked Heather to send in her resume.

Heather hadn’t considered employment with the Center could be the solution to balancing her work needs and her desire to volunteer with a ministry she

was so passionate about, but she prayed about the opportunity. She felt the Lord saying, “This is where I want you.” Everything fell into place from there. Heather has a vision for building community and offering resources. She hopes to support advocates as they direct resources to families in need. She also wants to connect with more churches and bring community support to the families.

In her previous roles, Heather primarily worked with women from immediately after their baby’s birth to when their children were around age three. This gave her a front-row seat to the “loss of community” many parents experience after the birth of a child. Heather knew COVID had only made that isolation worse. She regularly saw mental health struggles and parenting strains affecting new parents.

With The HOPE Center’s doors open again, Heather wants to make it a place of community that assures parents they aren’t alone. She hopes it can provide community internally with the advocates, as well

Peace of Mind

My high-risk pregnancy could have turned out much di erently. Without the experience and care I received at Cherokee Women’s Health, my little boy would not be the thriving little bundle of joy he is right now!

Sarah L.

as connect parents to the larger church and local community. She even hopes to facilitate relationships between parents in similar circumstances who can journey side by side.

Before stepping into the Center Director role, Heather led breastfeeding classes at The HOPE Center. She loved seeing the women in the classes engage with each other and share stories. They took comfort in having similar questions and experiences. Heather believes classes like this can be a key part of building community. Currently, the Center is offering monthly birthing classes. Local doulas lead these classes, and attendees regularly give glowing feedback. The moms are gaining resources and information, learning how to advocate for themselves in the hospital, and creating a natural foundation for community by doing it alongside other moms.

The HOPE Center recently sent out surveys to families they serve asking about their specific needs and interests. Topics like budgeting, job preparation,

At Cherokee Women’s, we celebrate the miracle of LIFE by safely delivering thousands of babies. You can count on us throughout your pregnancy journey.

CHEROKEE

Health

Proud supporter of the HOPE Center

and parenting topped the list. These topics lend themselves well to a class format, and Heather hopes to bring in local professionals to offer training and support.

Of course, Heather isn’t doing all of this alone. She leads the advocates, who in turn support the clients. Maria is still offering support and encouragement to volunteers, just like she did for Heather. And Sandi Welborn, The HOPE Center’s Community Care Coordinator, is the point person when a family has a need, whether it’s connecting them with a church, a housing resource, or a reliable auto repair company. Whenever possible, Sandi gets families the help they need within a few days of their request.

Life has certainly changed for Heather in the past three years, but she’s found an incredible community among her fellow staff members and volunteers. Now she’s helping create community for families who find themselves facing life changes of their own.

MARIETTA 40 DAYS FOR LIFE 365

ODell Agency

proud to partner with The HOPE Center as they faithfully and diligently serve our community. It is a blessing to be able to see the lives

they are touching

the impact that they are making! We are honored

be a part of this life changing

A New Hope for Life

Supreme Court Decision Changes the

Focus of the Pro-Life Movement

~ By Dr. William Lile

Former Notre Dame football coach Lou Holtz once said, “If what you did yesterday seems big, you haven’t done anything today.” This is the attitude the pro-life movement needs now!

The recent US Supreme Court decision to overturn Roe v. Wade was a huge victory for the cause of life. We need to celebrate this victory and rejoice. A lot of people worked very hard to see this day in our nation. They deserve our honor and respect. But if

the decision to overturn Roe was big, what we need to do now is even bigger. The political battle has now shifted from one court in Washington, DC to 50 different state courts, legislatures, and governors.

However, there’s an even bigger and more important battle — it’s in every pregnancy resource center in the country, particularly in states that will increase the restrictions on abortion. In these states, we’ll see a much higher number of women who will, praise

God, be delivering their babies. We were already seeing an increase in the number of women carrying their babies to term as states implemented more restrictions on abortion. But now the number will go up significantly. This is what we wanted. This is what we fought for.

We can’t abandon these women and children. We have to be prepared to help them in their time of need, and stick with them as they go through their pregnancies and births, and as they raise their children. If we want to see this nation turn to the Lord, we have an opportunity before us that will help us do just that.

You see, pregnancy resource centers are on the front lines of the Gospel. Every woman who comes into a pregnancy resource center needs Jesus. Her husband or boyfriend and her babies need Jesus. And there is no one who has a better opportunity to share Jesus with them than the people who work and volunteer at these centers. If we could lead all of these women and those connected to them to a right relationship with their Creator, we would see this nation turn toward Christ.

Remember, we are all created in the image of God — not at the time of our birth, but at the time of our conception. At the moment of conception, each baby is genetically unique from the mother and also from the father. In fact, each child is genetically unique from the other seven billion people on the planet. He or she is a whole person from the very start.

From our conception, we bear the image of God. And this spiritual dimension frames the entire issue, for abortion is fundamentally an attack against God. In Genesis 1:26, the triune God said “Let us make man in our image.” Abortion is an attack against that image, and thus a war against God leveled at the evidence of Him that we can see and touch.

This is why your local pregnancy resource center deserves the time and support of the church. Church

leaders need to understand how many people come to know Jesus in these centers. They are a Gospelcentered ministry that sees lives saved spiritually and physically every day. Few local ministries come close to this kind of impact.

Turning women away from abortion and toward Christ is an effort that is much bigger than defeating Roe v. Wade. It requires all of us to be involved — now! Consider engaging with The HOPE Center, or a pregnancy center in your local area. Let them know that you will be praying for them, and ask how you can partner with them in saving lives and strengthening families.

Visit SupportHopeCenter.com to donate and get involved.

Dr. William Lile, DO, FACOG, “The ProLifeDoc,” is Board Certified in Obstetrics and Gynecology. He is licensed to practice medicine in both Florida and Alabama. He has been an instructor for both the University of Florida and Florida State University, OB/GYN residency programs. He is the former chairman of the department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola, FL. He has an active practice in Pensacola, FL.

Baby Bottle Boomerang

Change for Life

You may have seen the “God’s Gift” baby bottles The HOPE Center distributes to churches and other organizations. They seem small and insignificant. You may even ask, “Do these baby bottle drives really work?” After all, how much difference could a few quarters in a baby bottle possibly make?

Well, Mike Northway from Transfiguration Catholic Church in Marietta, GA would argue that the checks, bills and coins deposited in a baby bottle can easily add up. In fact, his church raised over $22,000 for The HOPE Center in its 2022 Baby Bottle Boomerang.

Mike has been a leader of his church’s baby bottle drive for the last sixteen years. But his involvement in these Baby Bottle Boomerang fundraisers was unplanned. After a Floridian friend sent him a bottle from one of their own bottle drives to benefit a pregnancy resource center, Mike proposed the idea to his Parish Priest. Although the Monsignor applauded the idea as an intriguing fundraising tool, his valid concern was the lack of a beneficiary.

Fortunately, God is always working. During a drive down Canton Highway the next week, Mike found what he was looking for – a sign for The HOPE Center. He immediately pulled into the parking lot, entered the building, and asked to see the boss. A short time later, he exited with a beneficiary.

Today, sixteen years later, his church is still doing these bottle drives for The HOPE Center, donating thousands of dollars to the Center every year. Under the leadership of Father Larry Niese, St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church has also partnered with The HOPE Center, and the ministry celebrated their fourteenth annual Baby Bottle Boomerang in 2022. More than a dozen other churches and groups

partner with The HOPE Center through Baby Bottle campaigns. The multiple campaigns over sixteen years have brought in over $500,000 in life-saving support to The HOPE Center.

While these results speak for themselves about the effectiveness of bottle drives, another common misconception about baby bottle drives is that they are a hassle to host and therefore not worth the effort. Mike emphatically disagrees with this assumption. He describes his experience with the Center saying, “Whether it’s a weekend or a month-long thing, the flexibility is there, and The HOPE Center is fantastic in working with you. They are very helpful and do a lot of the work, so it’s really easy to execute once you make the decision to do it.”

The process is simple. Just talk to The HOPE Center personnel to plan the drive and discuss how to do it. After the dates are set in place, The HOPE Center will make sure you have enough bottles. Then make the announcement to your church or civic group. Ask your church members to return the bottles by the designated date, giving them plenty of time to fill their bottles. At the end of the campaign, the bottles are returned to The HOPE Center, and the grand total is shared once the total contributions are tallied. It’s that simple. And celebratory!

Aside from raising money for The HOPE Center, Mike and his team encourage their congregation to volunteer their time and service as

well. His church’s faithfulness in filling baby bottles has resulted in abundant blessings for The HOPE Center and the community. Rest assured, the checks, bill and coins dropped into a baby bottle make a huge difference for the women and families served by The HOPE Center.

If your church or group is interested in learning more about saving lives through a Baby Bottle Boomerang campaign, please contact The HOPE Center at 770924-7990 and ask for Laura Haigler.

Little Is Much When God Is In It

The HOPE Center relies on the support of both donors and volunteers to accomplish its lifesaving work. Many people want to engage in the prolife cause but aren’t sure they have the time or resources to make a difference. Cathy, who has been a faithful volunteer for over five years, is living proof that a little time can have a big impact.

Once a year, Cathy’s church talks about the Right to Life. On that special Sunday a few years ago, Cathy listened to the sermon and felt a pull on her heart to get more involved in the pro-life movement. As God had arranged, she was sitting right next to Cindy O’Leary, the Executive Director of The HOPE Center. Cindy explained how The HOPE Center offers ongoing support to mothers and families. Cathy

recalls, “I thought that was wonderful because I felt like that was the one thing that was missing. When you ask someone to choose life, they need to be supported. They need to have help.”

Cathy was so drawn to The HOPE Center’s approach that she set up a meeting to tour the facility and find out how she could help. When she saw Seeds Thrift Boutique, she knew she’d found the right place, as she’d done similar work before.

Cathy filled out an application and went through training. Now, she typically serves on Saturdays. And because she’s developed such an expertise in the shop and its systems, she’s able to multiply her efforts. Saturday is typically the day when larger groups of volunteers, often from a church, come in for a one-time day of service. With her knowledge

of the boutique, Cathy is able to put them to work quickly and efficiently, sorting and sizing clothes.

Cathy also helps ensure that items are tagged properly so that nothing sit on the sales floor too long. If something isn’t selling, Seeds donates it to organizations that can put it to good use. Cathy helps keep this process running smoothly.

After seeing all the good that came out of Seeds Thrift Boutique, Cathy chose to become a Life Champion monthly financial supporter as well. She’s honored to serve The HOPE Center with her time and her talents, knowing her efforts can offer support to a family in need.

Interested in volunteering? Contact Maria Douglas, Volunteer and Education Manager at 770-924-7990 or mariadouglas@hopectr.com.

Proudly

Contributing to Make Life Beautiful

What is the first thing you think about when you think of The HOPE Center? If you’re like most people, your answer is probably babies. Ministries like the Baby Bottle Boomerang, diaper drives, and the Earn While You Learn program encourage that assumption, and successfully promote the preservation of life.

While these are certainly valuable programs, children and babies make up only about a third of the demographic that The HOPE Center helps. Who is it that calls the center in distress when they’ve found out they’re pregnant? Or who arrives at the center in a bind because their family has kicked them out after discovering they’re

pregnant? The mothers and fathers that come to The HOPE Center are the foundation of the ministry, without whom there would be no babies to nurture or families to provide healing for.

Although parents are deeply loved and cared for by The HOPE Center, and other pregnancy centers around the country, there are organizations that try to deny that fact. Planned Parenthood says on its website that, “people who oppose abortion often call themselves prolife. However, the only life many of them are concerned with is the life of the fertilized egg, embryo, or fetus. They are much less concerned about the life of women who have unintended

pregnancies or the welfare of children after they’re born.”

Stacy Walls, a long-time supporter of The HOPE Center, would strongly disagree. As Stacy has witnessed, the resources and support found at The HOPE Center extend far past the pregnancy test and the sonogram, well into the lives of parents and their children after they’re born. The HOPE Center’s goal is to make sure women are equipped, educated and empowered with the information and resources they need to make fully-informed decisions about their unplanned pregnancy. Regardless of their decision, The HOPE Center stands ready to offer love and support. The loving team at The HOPE Center recognizes the bravery of every woman who chooses to parent her child or to place her child for adoption, despite her circumstances. They come alongside each mother to help her, love her,

encourage her, and give her the resources she needs to thrive as a parent.

Stacy has been attending the annual HOPE Center banquet for 15 years, and has participated in the annual Walk for Life for nearly as long. When asked what she loves about The HOPE Center, she responded, “I love everything about The HOPE Center. I love that everyone I have encountered at The HOPE Center is genuine. They just shine so brightly. They are where they need to be, where God chose every one of them to be. Their love and compassion are so genuine.”

The life-saving support of The HOPE Center’s ministry to both children and their parents is why Stacy remains a devoted partner. Her continued support has been a blessing to the center and the families they serve.

Support The HOPE Center by Shopping(or Donating) at Seeds Thrift Boutique Shopping for a Cause

You’ve probably been to a thrift store. But have you ever been to a thrift boutique? Seeds Thrift Boutique lives up to its name by offering high-quality gently used and new furniture, home décor and clothing items at a variety of price points.

Seeds began as a baby store, a way to support mothers and families going through The HOPE Center’s Earn While You Learn Program. It has since grown leaps and bounds by offering products and a shopping experience that caters not just to moms but to the general public. In fact, many of the items available are high-end, brand-new, and still have tags attached. There’s even brand-new furniture available!

As a thrift boutique, Seeds does offer some items with higher prices than you may be used to seeing

at typical thrift stores, but they’re still incredible bargains compared to buying the items at retail stores. And when you spend $50 on a piece of furniture, you enable our Earn While You Learn families to purchase their needed items at true thrift store prices. That $50 chair means Seeds can sell bibs to new moms for 50¢.

You might think that by shopping at Seeds, you’re just saving money on great items you would buy anyway. But you’re also investing. It’s not every day you can claim that a pair of shoes is an investment! Your purchase truly does invest in the ministry, as all proceeds support The HOPE Center. Your purchase may very well influence an expectant couple’s life decision for their baby.

If you’re looking for a way to support The HOPE Center without shopping, Seeds happily accepts new and gently used donations. Clothing, home goods, holiday and seasonal items are particularly welcome.

Donation hours are Wednesday through Friday, 10 AM to 4:30 PM, and Saturday from 10 AM to 1 PM. No appointment is necessary; simply drop your items off in the back. As the name suggests, these small investments plant seeds that yield a bountiful harvest over time. “They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor.” Isaiah 61:4 Learn more at SeedsThriftStore.com

Handmade Blessings for Heaven’s Blessings

At 93 years old, Martha Fowler has a unique way of giving to The HOPE Center. She has made more than 185 baby blankets and burp cloths for our Blessing Bags in the last seven months alone! Blessing Bags are provided to new moms, just after the birth of their babies, by the volunteer advocates who have worked with them throughout their pregnancy.

Martha’s mom was a seamstress, and taught her to sew at an early age. “I just grew up with it. Making the blankets was just a natural thing for me to do.”

Her generosity began far before she got connected with The HOPE Center. When several friends from her church began having babies, she made blankets for them. Then she started making them for the local hospital. About ten years ago, her son and daughterin-law got involved with The HOPE Center, and

suggested she make the blankets for our clients. She’s been making them ever since.

To make the blankets, Martha buys flannel material and cuts it into the sizes she wants. Then she crochets the edges together. Martha says, “I really enjoy it, and I want to give them to people who really appreciate them.”

Since she started making them for The HOPE Center, her blankets have been an answered prayer for moms in need. “That tickles me more than anything,” she says when talking about blessing these young moms.

The HOPE Center is so thankful for the love, dedication, and hard work Martha puts into each of her blankets and burp cloths. The clients love to receive them, and knowing they’re handmade makes them even more special. Her heartfelt effort brings to mind 1 Peter 4:10 – “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.” Thank you, Martha, for all you do to serve the Lord!

Sources of Support

Over half our funding came from our Monthly Life Champion Supporters and General Solicitations from individual donors. Our annual fundraising events, Banquet, Baby Bottle Boomerangs, the Walk for Life, and support from our local church partners were the next largest contributors to our sources of support.

In addition to monetary support, The HOPE Center is also blessed with faithful volunteers and a frequent outpouring of diapers and wipes from several churches and community groups who are eager to be a part of the ongoing support provided to moms, babies and families.

Walk for Life on Mother’s Day Weekend

It was an honor to witness God at work during the 2022 Walk for Life on Mother’s Day weekend! The event exceeded our fundraising goal, raising more than $90,000 to help us continue to equip pregnant women to choose life.

the QR code to relive the fun! Please save the date to join us for our 2023 Walk for Life on Saturday, May 13th in Downtown Woodstock.

General Solicitations/Individual Donations

Champion Monthly Donor

Support

Campaign

Bottle Boomerang

Become a Volunteer

volunteers are the heart and hands of our ministry.

prayerfully strive to give them a positive volunteer

place where they feel the love of God at work and know their contributions are making a huge difference.

Volunteer Opportunities

God equips us for the task He has called us to do.

He equip you with everything good for doing His will, and may He work in us what is pleasing to Him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever.” - Hebrews 13:21

The HOPE Center

Client Advocate

Greeter

Greeter

Seeds Thrift Boutique

Seeds Thrift Boutique, a part of The HOPE Center ministry, is located adjacent to our Center and is such a fun place to serve. Our volunteers enjoy their time there and always feel warm and welcomed.

are various positions you can serve in, and training is always provided. Seeds is a wonderful resource for our clients and the community. All the proceeds go directly to support The HOPE Center.

Donations Processing Team

Quality Control Sorter

Price Specialist

Tagging Team

Specialist

contact Maria Douglas

770-924-7990 to further explore volunteer opportunities with The HOPE Center and Seeds Thrift Boutique.

“Perhaps this is the moment for which you have been created.” Esther 4:14

Thrift Boutique sells quality donated clothing, furniture and home decor in order to generate funding to support the HOPE Center. When you shop at Seeds, you are plating a role in our ultimate mission, which is to equip pregnant women to choose Life!

SEEDS THRIFT BOUTIQUE SELLS QUALITY DONATED CLOTHING, FURNITURE AND HOME DECOR

SHOP

A ROLE IN

Lane,

ULTIMATE

Hours