color logo
In This Issue
Meet Clara
Soirée Success!
Announcing Baby Henry
Announcing Baby Alexander
Resident Profiles
Volunteer Corner - an interview with Amanda Winn
Thank you!
Meet Clara
an interview with one of our residents
 

 
Q: Tell me  a little bit about your background.

 
A:  I came to the United States from (name of country withheld) to work for a Diplomat family.  I cooked, cleaned, did laundry, took care of the kids, everything.  During Ramadan, I would be up in the night preparing their meal.  I had one day off every 2 weeks.  They would not teach me English, so I learned by watching TV.  It was very hard work, and after my contract was over, I quit.  After 3 months, I found work with an American family.  They treated me so well.  I felt very special with them.  I stayed with them for 8 years.

Q: Why did you quit working for them?

 
A: Eventually, they cut my pay, so I left.  I worked for a few other families before the pregnancy.  I knew I needed to move away from that area, so I told everyone I was having surgery and needed a break.

Q: Why did you need to move?

 
A: I don't want anyone to know that I am pregnant.  It is so embarrassing to be pregnant without being married.  The father of the baby wants nothing to do with me. He knew that I needed somewhere to live, and he would not let me live with him.  If I could have stayed with him, I could have returned to my country with the baby and not felt any shame.  But he would not do that for me.  He makes me feel like junk.  In my country, he would be dead for how he treated me.  If I could kill him, I would.  I have no money, no where to live, no way of supporting a baby.  I have to put the baby up for adoption.

Q: Did you consider having an abortion?

 
A:  I did not find out I was pregnant until I was 20 weeks.  I am 41 years old, so I thought I was going through menopause.  If I had known earlier, I would have had an abortion.  But at 20 weeks, I could feel the baby moving.  I  felt too guilty to have an abortion then.

Q: How do you feel about putting the baby up for adoption?

 
A:  I feel good about the adoption.  I am happy that I can help someone who does not have a baby. 

Q: Has your relationship with God changed?

 
A:  I still pray 5 times a day.  I kept praying, even when it was hard.  I would ask God, "Why did I meet that guy?  Why is this happening to me?" 

Q: How do feel about us sharing your story?

 
A: I think my story is sad, but it is the story of a strong woman.  I have not been able to work since coming to Mary's Shelter, but I have been able to help some of the other women.  I like to help where I can.  I have to keep working and helping - that is just me.  I would like you to put my baby's picture on the wall at Mary's Shelter to remember me by after I am gone.  I hope that you will tell my story to the young women who come to this shelter.  Maybe it can help them learn to change their lives.
 

 
Please visit Fiberfads!  for beautiful hand-knit and felted items.  All proceeds are donated to Mary's Shelter!

fiberfads pic
 


For unique, hand-crafted rosaries, please visit:
Beads for Mary
40-50% of your purchase will benefit Mary's Shelter


 
Want more information about Mary's Shelter?  Please visit our website:
Friend us on Facebook!
 Mary's Shelter January Newsletter
Vol. 3, No. 1
 
Happy New Year!

It's hard to believe 2010 is over.  What an amazing year for Mary's Shelter!  We hosted our first Summer Soir�e and were blessed to have Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli as our Guest Speaker and David Bereit of 40 Days for Life as our Master of Ceremony.  That's quite a line-up!   Our guests and donors were more generous in spirit and support then we ever expected.  This past year we gave refuge to 24 mothers and 18 children, more women and children than ever before.  And that's not including all the beautiful babies born and brought home to our shelters.  We had 12 children born at Mary's Shelter last year! 

We have expanded our ministry in many ways, including additional classes for our mothers, wonderful new volunteers and services, new additions to our board and staff, and a still in-progress, much needed office area.  More and more churches and community groups have supported our homes. All in all, it's been a really amazing year.  We are looking forward to seeing what God has in store for Mary's Shelter in 2011.  We know the calls are many and the needs are great.  We pray we can answer and assist all those women who have made the choice of life. Thank you to all who have been so loving and supportive of our ministry this last year. 

God Bless. 
Kathleen Wilson, Director
 
  Yesterday is gone. Tomorrow has not yet come. We have only today. Let us begin.
- Mother Teresa


 Soir�e Success!
 

Many thanks to everyone who helped make our Christmas Soire happen.  Thanks to you, we raised over $4500!

 

We are so grateful to:

 

Our hosts, Michael and Susan Wise

 
 

The Fredericksburg Soire Singers:

Julie Appleton, Catherine O'Connor, Constance Shofi, Melanie Butler, Rhonda Smetek, Paulius Sinkora, Geoff O'Brien, Kyle Fazzari, David Thielman

Conductrix - Eve Muggeridge

Accompanist - Dr. Vance Israel

 

and Children's Choir:

Dominique Chaves, Eula Chaves, Talitha Muggeridge, Genevieve O'Connor, Elizabeth Shofi, Deborah Thielman, Maria Thielman, John Wise

 

 The Cooks:

Kathleen Wilson, Sue Wise, Annette Ahart, Anne Carroll, Joanne Crane, Kyle Fazzari, Lena Foster, Eve Muggeridge, Caroline Stewart, Chris Taraschke
 

 
 

The Silent Auction Contributors:

Juan Chaves, Lisa and Tom Faleskie, Ginny Foreman,Tanya Guthrie, Sarah Harkins, Maura Harrison, Bridget O'Brien, "Bernadette",  Karen Scanlon, Mike Strain, Peggy Wickham, Dave and Kathleen Wilson

 
 

The Manual Labor:

John and Mark Turner, Patrick, Stephen, and Tula Wilson, Elizabeth, Anthony and Christopher Wise

  

The Sponsors:

Autumn's Gate Farm, Blue and Gray Brewery, Candles of Eve, Christ the King Bookstore, Giant Supermarket, The Griffin, Haute Momz, Irish Eyes,  Lori Elizabeth Photography, The Rocking Horse Gallery, Spa d'Aesthetique, Starbucks Coffee
 


 

 


Scenes from the Soire

 soiree margsoiree matt

soiree choir

soiree crowd

 
photos courtesy of Paul Turner
 

Goodbye, Meghan!

 
Mary's Shelter is  sad to part with our intern, Meghan Rubin, who was with us for a few brief months.   She is preparing for her next adventure - missionary work in Africa.  We wish her all the best.  Thank you for all your help, Meghan!

Announcing Baby Henry

 
tracy's
 


Born December 13th, weighing 7 lbs., 9 oz.

photo courtesy of Lori Elizabeth Photography

Announcing Baby Alexander

 
amanda's
 


Born December 31st, weighing 5 lbs., 10 oz.

photo courtesy of Lori Elizabeth Photography
Resident Profiles

 
The following are profiles of some of our current residents.  All names are fictitious. 
 
ANNE:   Anne delivered her baby boy, Alexander, on December 31st via c-section.  She has had a very difficult time ever since.  In our last newsletter, we told you about how Anne struggles with various mental illnesses and needs to be on the right combination of drugs in order to function properly.  The pain medication from the c-section combined with her regular medication definitely messed up her system.  To complicate matters further, she developed an infection in her incision.  She had to be readmitted to the hospital where she was put on more drugs that have made things even worse for her mentally.  She was not home for a week before she asked to be taken back to the ER.  She is currently staying at a local mental health facility where we hope she will regain some mental and physical stability.  We expect her back in another week, and pray that she will be in the right state of mind to care for herself and her baby.  In the meantime, her baby is being wonderfully cared for by another resident, Clara, whose interview you can read on the side column of this newsletter.
 
 

 

CLARA:  Clara is a true Godsend to our shelter.  At 41, she is the oldest resident we have ever housed, and by far the most mature.  She is impeccably clean, kind, and trust-worthy.  All the residents (and staff!) love her, and she loves to help them as much as she can.  When Anne came home from the hospital with baby Alexander, we knew she would not be able to take care of herself and the baby alone.  She was both physically and mentally unwell.  We asked Clara if she would consider moving into Anne's room to help her, and she readily agreed.  Then, as things went from bad to worse with Anne, Clara was there to pick up the pieces.  Had she not been there to care for Anne's baby, he would have ended up in foster care.  That would have broken poor Anne's heart.  Thanks to Clara, Anne still has a chance to prove she can care for herself and her baby.  Clara is the embodiment of self-sacrifice -  she is giving up her own baby for someone else who cannot have one of their own, and she is caring for Anne's son so that Anne will not lose him.  Please keep both Anne and Clara in your prayers. 

 

VERONICA:  Veronica is 20 yrs. old, and due any day with her 4th child.  Her other children are aged 3, 2, and 1.  Her boyfriend, who is the father of all 4 children, works as a dishwasher and can barely support himself with his income.  Veronica did not graduate from high school and has very little work experience.  Her children are beautiful and lively, and Veronica often finds it difficult to control them.  She fears she will be very overwhelmed with 4 babies under the age of 3.  Fortunately, she has several volunteers who are helping her with shopping, and offering her sage parenting advice.  She has a difficult road ahead of her, and we ask you to keep her in your prayers! 

   


In addition to the moms you have read about, Mary's Shelter provides homes to other mothers and children.  Please keep them ALL in your prayers.


Volunteer Corner - An Interview with Amanda Winn


 

amanda winn
 
Amanda began volunteering at Mary's Shelter in August, 2010.  She lives in Stafford with her husband and their two boys who are 3 and 4 years old.  Between keeping the kiddos, 2 horses, 2 dogs and barn cat fed and happy, Amanda also has a birth doula business assisting mothers outside of Mary's Shelter.  You can find out more information about her on her doula web site at

www.amandawinndoula.com  


 

Q: What sort of volunteer work do you do for Mary's Shelter? 
 

A: I volunteer as a birth doula for the moms at the shelter.  A birth doula is an individual who offers physical and emotional support to women in labor and their families. I stay with the moms through their entire labor offering support for them and taking pictures once the baby arrives. During the labor I answer any questions the moms have, explain what is going on and give them the information they need to be empowered throughout their births. I meet with the moms one or two times before their births to get to know them and learn how they want me to support them during the birth. During the birth I stay the entire time and leave once the mom and baby are settled. I have also taught a cooking class and helped the ladies run errands.        

Q: How did you first get involved with Mary's Shelter and begin volunteering?

 

A: I was given information about the shelter from another doula in the area. She mentioned they might find it helpful for their moms to have assistance during their labors. I came and did an information class on what a doula is and told any of the moms who were interested I'd love to assist them with their labors.    

Q: How do you find time to volunteer?
 

A: I don't think you ever "find" time for anything :) You have to build it into your schedule and make it a priority.  I talk to the residents quite a bit on the phone.  This lets me visit with them and check in regularly, but not actually come into the shelter. I also try to come on evenings for my prenatal and postpartum visits if possible when my husband is home to watch our kiddos.  We have also gone to see some of the residents in the hospital as a family.  Our boys love seeing the babies.      

Q: What is the best part of volunteering at Mary's Shelter? What have you learned or gained from your volunteer experience?
 

A: The best part of volunteering is feeling like you make a difference in the life of someone else. Women will remember the births of their children for the rest of their lives.  I'm honored to hopefully help these moms have good memories of their births and help strengthen the bonds they have with their babies.  Also I love seeing the new babies.  I don't think there is anything more beautiful then seeing a mom holding her new baby. 

 
Q. What do you feel you have to offer to the residents at Mary's Shelter? 
   

A: A listening ear, information on what is or is not normal during pregnancy and labor, love and support during and after labor.


Q: What would you recommend for others who want to get more involved in Mary's Shelter through volunteer work?
    

A: Just do it!  I would encourage you to find something you love doing and volunteer your time doing this. Also there is so much work that goes on to make the shelter work you don't have to actually be at the shelter working to be making a difference.


Q: What is the best thing about Mary's Shelter? 

  
 

A: I love that the shelter is not just encouraging women to keep their babies, but also providing the resources that empower them to do so.  I feel our shelter offers women the opportunities to better themselves and their families, hopefully breaking the cycle that so many of them are on.



 
Thank You!

*Thank you to St. Francis of Assisi Church in Triangle, VA for all the gifts and diapers you collected for our ladies.  Special thanks to Anne Tunney for her hard work in coordinating this wonderful effort by the St. Francis youth.

*Thank you to Leo Chavarria and the St. Mary Catholic Youth Ministry for including Mary's Shelter on their Giving Tree.  We were blown away by the number of gifts donated to our ladies.  Thank you!

*Thank you to Hishani Perera and Gerald Lowe, and everyone at AWHONN Rappahannock Chapter.  We really appreciate you visiting our shelter and bringing dinner for everyone, as well as donations of many needed baby items.

*A big, heartfelt thanks to Mr. and Mrs. Tom Faleskie for all the beautiful Christmas gifts for our residents.

*Thank you to St. Matthew Catholic Church for all the gift cards and donations, which added up to more than $5000!

*Thank you so much to "the ladybugs".  These wonderful ladies put together beautiful gift baskets for each of our residents.

*A special thank you to our volunteers Jean Lavelle and Gillian Stransky who very selflessly helped our women and children who were sick with the stomach flu!

*Thank you to Karen Clemente and Amanda Winn for hosting the ladies who had no family to visit during the holidays. 



A Final Thank You

We are very grateful to the wonderful volunteers, prayer warriors, and donors who are crucial to the survival of Mary's Shelter. With your ongoing support, we pray that this ministry will continue to foster a culture of life in our community for many years to come.

We hope you will consider supporting our "Fulfill the Promise" Campaign by becoming a monthly donor. With the help of our faithful benefactors, we really came a long way in 2010, but we still have many obstacles ahead of us.  Please help us by spreading the word!

For more information about our ongoing "Fulfill the Promise" Campaign, please visit our website at www.marysshelterva.org.
Thank you and may God Bless you!

Sincerely,
The Directors and Staff of Mary's Shelter