Meet Lucia
an interview with one of our residents
Q: Tell me a little about your background.
A: I am originally from California. I grew up with my mother who was adopted from South Korea as a baby. My dad was never in the picture - he struggles with a drug habit. He has never been there for me.
Q: What happened when you moved to Virginia?
A: My mom and I moved here when I was 9. Everything changed. We had such a nice life before, then out of nowhere, she became abusive.
Q: Tell me about your first pregnancy.
A: I had my first child at 17 during my junior year. When I got pregnant with her, I left home. The abuse had gotten so bad. I moved in with my boyfriend. Shortly after my daughter was born, I got myself in trouble for hurting her. I was locked up for three years and lost custody of my child.
Q: Did your criminal record make it difficult to get back on your feet?
A: I always wanted to go back to school, but because of the felony, I had trouble getting hired at good jobs, so I was always working two bad jobs at a time to pay the bills. It was frustrating because I never had time to go to school. I was able to do some online classes and I got an adult education diploma.
Q: Tell me about your other pregnancies.
A: My first son was born two years ago. I had had a lot of medical problems and was told I could never get pregnant again. The pregnancy was a real shock. After he was born, the father tried to get custody of him. I freaked out and left. There was a lot of drama. In the end, he did end up with custody. I decided to stay with him since I had hardly any visitation.
When I got pregnant with this baby, I was sure I could not be. I wasn't even living with my boyfriend anymore. I thought about not telling him about it and just getting an abortion. I was not married and I didn't want another baby taken away from me. I had an appointment scheduled, but I kept seeing anti-abortion ads on tv, and I felt guilty.
Q: How did you end up at Mary's Shelter?
A: My boyfriend begged me to move back in with him after I told him about the pregnancy. I started a new job which was really great. But my boyfriend and I were arguing all the time. I kept wondering if he was going to try to get this baby too. I was so miserable and didn't trust him. Then one day during a fight, he kicked me in the stomach. That was a real shock to me. I decided that as soon as a door opened, I would leave. I found Mary's Shelter through Bethany Christian Services. When I was on the phone with Kathleen, I was just praying this door would open for me.
Q: What do you hope to accomplish?
A: I am hoping to find a job and pay off my court fees from 10 years ago so I can get my license. I have never had an opportunity to do that. I am grateful for the opportunity to be the parent that I need to be for Josiah. I have a lot of support here. I need time to show that I can take care of myself and my child. Maybe in time, God will reunite our family and help make amends.
Q: Tell me about your baby's name.
A: His name is Josiah Emmanuel. Emmanuel means "God is with us". I have been by myself my whole life, but God was there even when I didn't know it. He had his Hand in this situation the whole time. His name is a reminder that I am not by myself - God is with us.
Q: What do you think about Mary's Shelter?
A: I think this is a unique program. There can't be too many places that put so much energy into their program. Like having a doula at my birth and the professional photographer - I could never have afforded that. We don't want for anything here. We have food coming from the food pantry every month, volunteers who help us, weekly classes. I don't mind the rules. I want to do whatever it takes to stay in the program. The house is cozy and clean, convenient to the bus, the library, and downtown.
Q: How would you describe your relationship with God?
A: I have been frustrated since the baby was born. I have not been to church lately, or reading the bible, or listening to my spiritual music. I feel like I need more time with God. The thing that keeps me going is knowing that I would not be here if it weren't for Him. But when I slack off, I think he won't be there for me anymore. I really want to do more than just go to church on Sunday.
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Please visit Fiberfads! for beautiful hand-knit and felted items. All proceeds are donated to Mary's Shelter!
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For unique, hand-crafted rosaries and jewelery, please visit:Beads for Mary
40-50% of your purchase will benefit Mary's Shelter
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Want more information about Mary's Shelter? Please visit our website:
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Mary's Shelter May Newsletter
Vol. 3, No. 3
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Greetings!
Thank you all for your prayers and generosity. Our fourth home is open and providing shelter to three new mothers and their children. We could not have done this so quickly and painlessly without the outpouring of donations from so many of you. We were overwhelmed by the gifts we received at our Open House - enough to furnish the new house, and to replace worn-out items in our other houses. We did not have to spend any of our own money - you provided everything. We are currently in the process of renovating our older, 2 bedroom house which will become the Transition Home. This Transition Home will be used to provide mothers who have gone through our program with a longer-term, more independent living arrangement, as they progress to fully independent living, with their baby. At our Summer Soirée last August, we told you that our dream was to be able to offer a transition home to qualified residents. You made that dream a reality. We are so excited about the next Summer Soirée, coming up on August 13th. Please come and celebrate again with us this year! God Bless. Kathleen Wilson, Director Every time you smile at someone, it is an action of love, a gift to that person, a beautiful thing. - Mother Teresa |
SAVE THE DATE!
Mary's Shelter New Home Dedication
Saturday, June 25th, 2011
11 am
1403 Charles St.
Our new home will be dedicated in memory of Miss Dale Featherston, beloved parishioner of St. Mary Catholic Church and founder of the Germanna Nursing Program, whose lovely furniture has found new life in our shelter.
All are welcome to attend.
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SAVE THE DATE!
The Mary's Shelter 2nd Annual Summer
Soirée and Fundraiser
Saturday, August 13th, 2011
Special Guest Speaker:
Abby Johnson, former Planned Parenthood director turned Pro-life Advocate
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Resident Profiles
The following are profiles of some of our current residents. All names are fictitious.
VERONICA: Veronica has taken a huge step for herself and her four children - she is finishing high school! It has been a monumental effort, but we have helped Veronica secure rides and daycare for her children so she can travel to Germanna Community College for her classes. She is enjoying being back in school and is feeling encouraged that she is getting a little closer to leading an independent life. In case you missed our interview
with Veronica in our last newsletter, to say she has had a tragic life is putting it mildly. Finishing school is a huge achievement for her, and we are so proud. Please pray that she will persevere no matter what obstacles block her path.
AGNES: Agnes is a new resident who has experienced several frightening seizures since she arrived. She has been hospitalized several times in the last month, and we are all very concerned for her health and the safety of her unborn child. She is a sweet young lady, and is very hopeful about changing her life through our program. Please keep her and her baby in your prayers!
FELICITY: Felicity gave birth to her second little boy on May 2nd. She gave birth to her first son as a teenager and put him up for adoption. She found the experience very difficult, and when she discovered she was pregnant a second time, she was determined to raise the child herself. We are happy to report that at just three weeks post-partum, Felicity has found employment at a local restaurant. She begins graphic design classes at Germanna Community College in August. We are very proud of her efforts and pray that she can continue to make improvements in her life.
KATERI: Kateri is due with a baby girl in August. She is graduating from high school next month, and is working part-time at a local restaurant. At age 18, she is our youngest resident. She was adopted from overseas at the age of 9, but sadly ended up in the foster system a few years later. She is smart and motivated, and so far, has done everything we have asked her to do in our program. Her attitude can get her into trouble sometimes, and is an area she has promised to work on. She has experienced all sorts of heinous abuse from various people in her life, the father of the baby included. Our prayer for Kateri is that she will have the strength to continue making positive changes and not allow herself to slip back into her old way of life.
In addition to the ladies you have read about, Mary's Shelter provides homes to other mothers and children. Please keep them ALL in your prayers.
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Volunteer Corner - An Interview with Rebecca Boelsche 
Rebecca is 11 years old, finishing 5th grade and homeschools. She enjoys soccer, reading, playing
games and hanging out with her siblings and friends. She loves projects and is a great organizer!
Q: What sort of fund-raising work do you do for Mary's Shelter?
A: I make little things like key-chains, bracelets and rosaries, and sell them to raise money for Mary's Shelter.
Q: How did you get started?
A: Well, my friend, my brother and I were going to do a
lemonade stand. We agreed that we should give some of the profit to a charity. We decided on Mary's Shelter because it is a nice, local charity that serves a great Christian cause.
Q: How do you find time?
A: It is really a fun hobby for me. Sometimes I don't really look at it as work, more a fun project. I LOVE making bracelets and creating new things. Crafting is one of my favorite things to do in my spare time, and it's kind of a bonus that I can use that gift of creativity that God gave me to help someone else.
Q: Do you have friends to help you?
A: Yes. Genevieve O'Connor and Rebekah Haskell have helped me out a lot and have been a huge part of the success. They don't get that much credit, but they do so much, and they want to help Mary's Shelter just as much as I do.
Q: How much money have you raised?
A: I have estimated it to be between $60-$80. I know it's kind of a rough estimate but it gives you an idea. Everything costs $1.00 or less.
Q: What sells the best?
A: DEFINETLY KEYCHAINS. It seemed people didn't care much for bracelets, but I sold A LOT of keychains over the school year.
Q: What is the best part of helping out Mary's Shelter?
A. I guess knowing you're helping somebody out. Knowing you're making a difference. To think doing something I love can help people is a real blessing and joy.
Q. What have you learned?
A: I learned that it isn't always easy or simple for you, but it's that right thing to do, so you do it anyway. For instance, I spend some of the money I make selling things on more materials. Sometimes I would lose profit by giving a lot of it to Mary's Shelter, and would not make up the money I spent. But I knew it was the right thing to do, so I did it.
Q: How can people get in touch if they are interested in placing an order?
A: They can e-mail me at Boelsche@usa.net.
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Babysitters Needed!We are in great need of babysitters during our Monday night classes this summer. Classes are held every Monday evening from 7-8:15 pm. If you know a teenage girl who might be interested in service hours, please contact us at info@marysshelterva.org
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Thank You!*Thank you to Kelly Valco for leading a cooking class and talking to the ladies about making economical meals
and how to save money. We are also so appreciative of all the rides you provide to the grocery store!
*Thank you to Claire Curcio for showing our ladies how to make beautiful jewelery.
*Thank you to Leo Chavarria for coming and speaking to our ladies about the virtue of abstinence. Your talk was amazing, and we are looking forward to when you can come back!
*Thanks to Christina Banks for leading a talk on Natural Family Planning. Our ladies were totally unfamiliar with this concept and were very intrigued. We hope you can return for a follow-up discussion.
*Many thanks to Anne Tunney and St. Francis Catholic Church for the most beautiful Easter baskets we have ever seen.
*Thank you to Tom and Lisa Faleskie for making sure there was plenty of candy for an Easter Egg Hunt!
*Thank you to Melissa Hilton and Girl Scout Troop #3711 for all the cookies you donated! 75 boxes! We will be treating our volunteers and speakers very well for a long time. Thank you!
*Thanks to group of kids from the National Counseling Group for mowing our lawns, whacking our weeds, mulching our flower beds, and planting some new things.
*Thanks to Carlton Bullock and Randy Woods for all the handyman work around our houses.
*And last but not least, thank you to everyone who donated furniture, appliances, kitchen items, knick knacks and decorations for our new home. We are deeply grateful!
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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
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