HOPE is a pregnancy resource center that provides service including ultrasounds, well women care, and mentoring, among others. HOPE also provides roughly 50 to 60 baby showers every single year. These showers are a consistent highlight to our year as we get to experience the love of a mother for her child, the outpouring of support from our community, and the impact love has on broken situations.
Local groups show up, decorate, and prepare food as we celebrate the gift of life. It’s truly an amazing time as we share wonderful moments with our patients. One of our patients, however, was unable to make it to her shower last year because her water broke. This patient actually took the time to call us in the middle of going into labor to let us know that she would not be able to make it.
The news did not stop our staff. One of our Nurse Practitioners, Christy, loaded up her car and took the gifts to the hospital so this patient could experience her baby shower. Upon arriving at the hospital, Christy noticed that the patient was all alone and realized that her work wasn’t done. She wasn’t going to just quickly stop by and drop off gifts. She was prepared to be there for this young mom and her baby.
Your prayers, gifts, and volunteer hours at pregnancy resource centers continue to transform and save lives.
Christy did, in fact, stay for the delivery, but she wasn’t the only HOPE representative in the room. This baby was actually delivered by one of our Medical Executive Committee members.
Some of the nurses at the hospital were unaware of HOPE and the work we do. They didn’t understand who these strangers were caring for this patient in her time of need. This gave Christy an opportunity to share our story and love for our patients. When one of the nurses asked this new mom if she had a car seat, Christy was able to speak up and say, “We have that taken care of along with a pack-n-play, a stocked diaper bag, and some clothes!”
This makeshift baby shower inside the delivery room was made possible because of churches and organizations made up of people like you. This young mom felt love during a very stressful time. She felt encouraged and supported because we took the time to notice her—not just her baby, but her. She is just as much an image-bearer as her baby.
HOPE’s story was further advanced in that hospital room later on. We had a patient in need, and we, just like we have for 20 years, desired to meet that need. This young mom was scared and alone, but someone showed up in that darkness and fear to bring HOPE. This was made possible by the thousands of people that stand with us. This young mom might have only seen the faces of a few, but the reality is far greater than that. Thousands of strangers stood with her on that day and continue to stand with her today.
Your prayers, gifts, and volunteer hours at pregnancy resource centers continue to transform and save lives. I mean that from the deepest parts of my heart. Partnering with you to serve this city, in particular, brings us to tears on a regular basis. It’s the love and support of people like you that allows us—and other resource centers—to see the light in some of the darkest places. There are families here today because of you.
This post originally appeared on HOPE’s site. You can hear about another story of hope by watching this video.
