Baby Beverly's first Christmas - Vinekeepers
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Learn ways to cultivate LIFE for babies, families and communities. A PUBLICATION OF THRIVE WOMEN’S CLINIC • ISSUE 3 • WINTER 2019 PAGE 3 Baby Beverly’s first Christmas ALSO: PG. 4: Thrive baby enters college – at age 14! PG 6: Our budget news: We need YOU this Christmas. PG 8: How to engage your church for LIFE.
Letter from the Executive Director “I spy with my little eye…” Did you ever play that game as a child? Perhaps with your family on walks or on long car rides? Well, lately I’ve spied Jesus everywhere. You can too, if you look for Him. In our world today, we can become weary with tragic news in the media. But sometimes the tragic news stories reveal Jesus… I spied Jesus in Brandt Jean, when he hugged Amber Guyger and forgave her for the murder of his brother, Botham Jean. I spied Jesus in Judge Tammy Kemp, who gave Amber Guyger a hug and her Bible before Guyger went to prison. I spied Jesus in a 48 Hours television program there when a client lets us pray for her and when a recapping the 1976 school bus kidnapping in client in need tearfully receives a grocery gift card. Chowchilla. The driver and 26 children were buried He’s in the Christmas card that thanks us for saving a alive in a moving van but escaped. The trauma led granddaughter 18 years ago who is headed to college one of the boys into a life of addiction ruin. Then, he this fall. He is in a generous unexpected gift from a met Jesus. He confronted his kidnappers, forgave donor and in a pastor’s words of encouragement to them, and became a local pastor. our staff as we battle for life. I spied Jesus in an October Wall Street Journal article Thank you for allowing our clients to see Jesus on supermodel Naomi Campbell. She was raised by at Thrive Women’s Clinic. I pray you spy Him this a single mother in London. “I don’t have a squeaky Christmas! clean life,” she said. “I’m so grateful to God that I am a recovering addict and recovering alcoholic.” Every day, she kneels to say Psalm 91: “I will say of the Lord, ‘He To God be the glory, is my refuge…’” At Thrive you’ll spy Jesus in prayers whispered by our staff and volunteers throughout the day, and in the bells that ring across our intercom system to signal another baby saved from abortion. He’s in the Mary Jayne Fogerty joy of the client returning to show us her baby. He’s Executive Director, Thrive Women’s Clinic Jan-Nov New client Babies New 2019 visits: saved: believers: 2 Statistics 2,115 198 61
COVER STORY Meet Baby Beverly! BOARD OF DIRECTORS Clare Smitham, Chair Austin Starke “Tracy” Taylor III, Vice Chair Peyton Harris, Treasurer Andi Thacker, Secretary Patty Cerpa Leigh Hudson Robin Hogan Cindy Pardue THRIVE LEADERSHIP Dr. Steven Harris Medical Director Last holiday season, Moyotole and her husband were just Mary Jayne Fogerty starting out in the U.S. after leaving good jobs in Nigeria. The Executive Director news of pregnancy brought fear. How would they provide without Meredith Hall jobs, medical insurance, or family nearby? What should they do? Director of Clinic Services Someone told Moyo about Thrive. Earlene Jones “I went to Thrive and had a sonogram and saw her floating Director of Client Services and jumping up and down,” Moyo said. “That gave us such peace Kontessa Kiel moving ahead.” Director of Operations Moyo weekly attended educational classes at Thrive. With her Wade Souza “baby bucks,” she bought all her essential baby supplies. Baby Men’s Coordinator Beverly arrived in September, Beverly’s dad found a job as an engineer, and they are thriving. “You supported us financially, emotionally, mentally, even Vinekeepers are the spiritually,” Moyo said. “I want to thank you all! This will be a Merry supporters of Thrive Women’s Christmas!” Clinic, which has four locations in Dallas County that provide services at no cost for women and their partners experiencing unplanned pregnancy. Our non-profit outreach ministry extends Christ-like compassion that values the family and empowers them to choose life. For clients: ThriveWomensClinic.com : For supporters: Vinekeepers.org Facebook: FB.com/vinekeepers FB.com/thrivewomensclinic Instagram: /vinekeepers /thrivewomensclinic *Client names changed to protect privacy 3
MEET THE PEOPLE YOU’RE EMPOWERING Thrive baby enters college – at age 14! I n many ways, Noah Law is a typical 14-year-old. He loves reading books, computer animation, cooking, and his four little siblings. But in other is one of those situations where you can see where you’ve impacted someone’s life.” Over the years, Linda has brought her children ways, he is remarkable. to Thrive’s annual family events at Christmas and This summer, he saved up enough money to buy Mother’s Day. his own computer with a special graphics card. “An event like that lets a child know that people care,” How? He posted on the NextDoor neighborhood she said. “It has made all of my children feel valued. app offering his “pooper scooper” services. It is accountability for them when someone says: We “He did that in the heat all summer,” said his want you to succeed and make good choices.” mother, Linda Law. “He’s humble that way.” She says Noah wouldn’t have gotten into college That’s the same work ethic that has led to without his own hard work, but she makes sure he extraordinary academic success. His family moved knows: “It wouldn’t have happened without places to McKinney last year, but he was determined to like Thrive that have helped me be a better parent. finish his fast track to graduation and got up every Congratulations! We did it!” morning at 5:15 a.m. to ride the bus to his high school in Dallas. His hard work paid off this spring when he graduated high school at age 14. He is now enrolled in his first semester at Collin College. Linda says her early visits to Thrive Women’s Clinic played a role in his drive and strong sense of self-worth. “You really provided him with everything he needed for a good start in life,” she said. She came to our East Dallas clinic 15 years ago when she was unexpectedly pregnant with Noah. Thanks to Thrive supporters, she was blessed with free child-birthing classes, parenting classes, a crib, a full bedding set, and “spiritual encouragement I really needed at that time and place in my life,” she said. Years later, she came back to donate baby items to the clinic she loves. “We’re better because of Thrive,” she said. “You guys have been with us through good times and bad. This 4
You can have it all May I ask you a question? She remained quiet. Stoic. She was determined Jamie was considering abortion until she to terminate her pregnancy before she left to was presented with one of our most powerful study abroad and then finish her last semester tools at Thrive Women’s Clinic: A very simple of college. She left her appointment at Thrive brochure called May I Ask You a Question. quietly, taking the sonogram photos with her Jamie had been around church as a child, when that showed a baby 13 weeks along. She didn’t her advocate used the brochure to walk her return any follow-up calls. Then, she called through the steps of salvation, suddenly all of out of the blue while studying abroad. “I’m those Bible memories began to make sense. still pregnant,” she said. Jamie tearfully prayed to ask Christ to be her savior. Her advocate gave her a Bible and encouraged her to read it, pray, listen to God, and find a church home. Then, the advocate shared Psalm 139:13, “For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb.” Jamie realized the value of life. She said she would definitely have this baby and has returned for a follow-up sonogram with the glow of new life in “Can I come for another sonogram when I get Christ. back?” She returned to Thrive after her summer abroad, smiling, upbeat, and celebrating her pregnancy. We celebrated with her and helped her find a doctor close to her college while she completes her degree. A message to you – 10 years later Longtime Thrive Staffer Jan Cassidy was pleasantly surprised when a woman walked up to the receptionist desk with a big smile. “You are the one who talked to me and saved my baby!” She shared a photo of 10-year-old Hayden, who excels at soccer and math. She said she married Hayden’s father, they had 3 more children, and they attend church regularly. She later sent Jan a message: “It was an amazing feeling seeing you again after so long. Thank you for your prayer and your sweet words that day 10 years ago! God bless you!!” 5
OUR BUDGET UPDATE You are supporting these latest developments. T his past year, YOU have taken our ministry to exciting levels through new opportunities that have come our way. We are blessed we can respond when God calls because we have YOU, our faithful Vinekeepers, to provide the financial support we need. Some of our latest developments: 1 OhKnow explosion 2 Serving in Spanish Demand is rising for our OhKnow education New bilingual staff and a Spanish website led to program. Local public and private schools 75% more Spanish-speaking clients in 2019. have invited Thrive nurses to teach NEARLY 100 PRESENTATIONS THIS FALL on fetal development and sexual health. That’s a 455% increase from 2018! 3 Filling Irving’s need You opened a pregnancy clinic in a key area of Irving in November 2018. We’ve served 338 clients, had 11 new believers, and 29 babies have been saved from abortion! Our first Irving baby was born in September. 6
Will you make a generous year-end gift to Thrive? GIVE GIVE GIVE $1,200 $5,000 $10,000 to keep to teach to display 4D one of our students about sonograms clinics open LIFE in two for 40 clients for a week large Dallas considering in 2020. high schools. abortion. With these new endeavors, our annual budget increased 31 percent this year to $2.1 million. Today, we are $500,000 away from reaching that goal. Through careful consideration and financial forecasting, The U.S. abortion rate reached we knew these new initiatives would require more resources. We stepped a historic low in 2017. Number of abortions per 1,000 women aged 15-44 up to meet these needs in 35 faith that God will provide 29.3 30 through YOU. 25 Will you help us meet that goal by December 31st? 16.3 ABOVE 1973 LEVELS 15 Do you need proof your BELOW 1973 LEVELS 13.5 support works? The U.S. 10 abortion rate is down to its 5 lowest level in decades - down from 1.6 MILLION in 1991 to 1973 1977 1981 1985 1989 1993 1997 2001 2005 2009 2013 2017 about 860,000 in 2017! But our work is not done! Today 20 women had abortions in Dallas. Together, we can continue to save babies, equip families and transform our community for LIFE. Give at vinekeepers.org/donate or use the envelope in this magazine. 7
SANCTITY OF HUMAN LIFE SUNDAY – JANUARY 19, 2020 Is your church on board? Are you looking for a way for your faith community to join you in answering God’s call to protect LIFE? Sanctity of Human Life Sunday (SOHL) is held annually near the anniversary of Roe v. Wade, which legalized abortion in the United States. We will help you through every step, from contacting your pastor to considering different ways to celebrate life. What does it look like? The Heights Church in Richardson u One big Life Group of about 40 adults worked through our Vinekeepers conversation guide, which covers stats, scriptures, and ways to talk their kids about LIFE. u Client Kristal’s video was shown for the same group. She visited the class in person with her baby to thank them for their support. u Baby bottles were sent home with each family. In 2019, about 20 Dallas-area churches joined Vinekeepers to highlight the abortion issue and raise support for Thrive Women’s Clinic services. Here are some examples: Park Cities Baptist Church u Kate’s client video was shown during the main church service to highlight our ministry, and she visited in person to share a message with three different youth and adult Bible Study classes that same morning. u Baby bottles were sent home for families to fill with “Over the years, our class hadn’t deeply funds. They returned them a couple of weeks later. discussed this important issue before. Perhaps we feared such an uncomfortable topic, but we left inspired by Thrive’s work and empowered to u A booth in the lobby presented baby models, get involved.” — Emily Kuhnel, Heights member brochures, newsletters, and volunteer opportunities. 8
If January is too soon, MOTHER’S DAY is another wonderful time we can help you highlight the LIFE issue in your church. SOHL is important any time of year! Options we can offer: - Launch a LIFE conversation with our guide for small groups. (30-50 minutes) - OhKnow staff teach your youth group about fetal development. (45 minutes) - Baby bottle drive collects funds for Thrive. We provide bottles and count it for you. - Invite a client speaker experienced in sharing her testimony. (3-30 minutes). - Thrive staff can make a presentation in church or a Sunday school class (5-50 minutes). - Host a table at your church or event with materials we provide. - Show a video from our library of stories of lives saved. (3 min) Take the first step: Visit vinekeepers.org/sohl-Sunday 9
Celebration Dinner a soaring success T hank you for joining us for our Celebration and Fundraising Dinner at the Frontiers of Flight Museum Oct. 3. You gave $280,000 toward our $2.1 million after a full recovery! • Hopeful after learning you are reaching clients online, saving babies, and sharing the Gospel every annual budget to help us bring HOPE to the women in single day. Dallas who are considering abortion. Amazing! We especially thank Dinner Chairs Ben and We pray the event left you: Katherine Moffitt, longtime Thrive supporters and • Motivated by the riveting stories from combat former board members. Thank you all for coming veteran Damon Friedman. and playing a key part on the front lines of the LIFE • Inspired by client Kristal, who chose life in our movement. See more photos and Kristal’s testimony clinic after learning about her baby’s birth defect. at Facebook.com/vinekeepers. What a thrill to see one-year-old Ashton on stage 10
Golf Fore Life is at Maridoe! Are your ears ringing? Here’s why! March 24, 2020 Tee up at our new venue with your own caddie! We’re excited to announce our annual golf tournament is moving to the exclusive Maridoe Golf Club, a course so dynamic When a client changes her mind and that it partners with the GOLF Channel to televise collegiate chooses life for her baby in our clinic, competitions. This elite venue introduces exciting new features to we ring bells in our intercom system our event, including personal caddies for each team and a steak to alert all staff and volunteers. dinner from 44Farms. With this enhanced experience, golfers will We whoop and cheer in our offices! not be able to register individually. Rather, we are welcoming 20 Because of YOU, we have rung the foursomes who enter at the sponsorship level. bells 192 times this year, and the year isn’t over yet! Will you work with your employer or business partners to sponsor your team at our event? Find details and registration at You’re on a bigger team Vinekeepers.org/golf Festa della Donna – April 2, 2020 Women’s Brunch Dallas Abortetum and Botanical Garden Speaker Julia Sadler, author of Pray Big Things Vinekeepers.org/festa More than 20 leaders of pregnancy Mark your calendar! centers throughout the region met recently under the leadership of January 19 Thrive’s Executive Director, Mary Sanctity of Human Life Sunday Jayne Fogerty, who is serving February 18 & 22 as president of the North Texas Volunteer training Coalition of Pregnancy Centers. March 24 This group of prolife influencers Golf Fore Life tournament from as far away as Waco gathers April 2 periodically to share best practices Festa della Donna women’s brunch and discuss how to address growing May 2 trends on the frontlines of the Mother’s Day client party – volunteers needed abortion battle. Feb. 8 & Feb. 22 Volunteer training Learn more at Vinekeepers.org/events 11
Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Dallas, TX Permit No. 2879 Dallas Life, Inc. 6500 Greenville Ave. Suite 600 • Dallas, Texas 75206 ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED Vinekeepers.org Client website: ThriveWomensClinic.com SMARTER WAYS TO GIVE Genius tax breaks and benefits you may not know. STOCK Donate stock directly to Thrive, and never pay capital gains tax. How? Ask us for the Thrive form letter you can send your broker. IRA DISTRIBUTION If you are 70 ½ or older, donate directly from your IRA without paying federal income tax on the withdrawal. CORPORATE MATCHING Does your company match your nonprofit donations and/or volunteer hours? Search here: ww2.matchinggifts.com/search/unh We can walk you through it! Contact Mary Jayne Fogerty at (214) 343-9263 mfogerty@vinekeepers.org. LOCATIONS: Central Dallas Clinic East Dallas Clinic West Dallas Clinic Irving Clinic 6500 Greenville Avenue 12959 Jupiter Road 3901 Holystone St. 1111 W Airport Fwy Suite 600 Suite 260 Dallas, Texas 75212 Suite 229 Dallas, Texas 75206 Dallas, Texas 75238 Irving, Texas 75062 NOTE: This is our corporate and mailing address. FB.com/vinekeepers /vinekeepers Search “vinekeepers”
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