awc summer 2011

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Summer Newsletter 2011

Local Couple Speak Candidly of Daughter’s Uniqueness

A A Woman’s Concern held its fifteenth annual fundraising dinnon April 28 at Calvary Church. Almost 400 people joined t

gether to hear the inspirational story of a local pro-life couple, Mike anTerry Tafelski, who faced a difficult situation sixteen years ago whethey learned their second daughter would be born with a major headefect. Although abortion was never truly an option in their minds, th

were encouraged by the medical community to choose abortion due Elizabeth’s defect. Their message of how they handled the challenges their daughter’s uniqueness with courage and faith touched everyone attendance.

A Woman’s Concern was blessed to have been showered with $61,00in income from the banquet. We want to thank our donors for theunwavering support of our organization. The support from individuachurches and businesses enables AWC to offer life-affirming services

clients entering through our doors. So many girls and women are abto choose LIFE for their unborn child because of the generous gifts from our donors.

If you gave a donation towards the banquetproceeds and received a letter after the ban-quet asking for a donation, please disregard theletter. Due to a computer glitch, some lettersmay have been mailed by mistake. Please ac-cept our apologies.

The inset contains a list of the 2011 FundraisingDinner Sponsors, whose donations helped tounderwrite some of the costs for the banquet.Please support these businesses and churches

as they have supported us.

Thank You to Our Dinner Sponsors DAS Distributors, Michael & Julie Abel, Barley Family @ Star Rock Farms, Dr. & Mrs. JohnEnglish, Mr. & Mrs. Michael Granby, HistoricSaint Mary’s Church, Mr. & Mrs. JosephHofmann, Knights of Columbus Council #6810,Lancaster Latin Mass Community, Mitch &

Michelle Long, Nikolaus & Hohenadel LLP,Oyster Point Family Health Center, Saint An-thony of Padua Church, Saint Leo the GreatChurch, Saint Peter Church (Columbia), Barry Bruce and Company, John & Carol Borst, Cer-tified Carpet, Joe & Amy Clupp, James & Col-leen Darby, Dressel Welding Supply, Dave & JillHartman, Knights of Columbus Council#12532, Paul & Sylvia Hollinger, Jones Buick GMC Honda Acura, Joe & Dotty Krall,Lancaster’s Furniture to Go, Dr. & Mrs. N. An-thony Mastropietro, Jim & Sally Morgan, Saint

Catherine Church, Saint James Church, Jim &Sheila Schoeplein, Peter & Linda Sydorko, TheDyer Company, Tomlinson Bomberger LawnCare & Landscape, and Steve & Sherry Troelsch

History of A Woman’s Concernby Lena C. Hohenadel

This is an edited version of the History of A Woman’s Concern. To read Lena’s entire article, please visit our

website, www.pregnancylancaster.com.

How did the group who founded Birthrightfirst mobilize?

In anticipation of a call to remove a state law banning abortion in Pennsylvania, a large group

of concerned people gathered at the home of Dolores Rutherford in the Fall of 1972. Herhusband was then District Attorney Henry Rutherford.

By the conclusion of that meeting, the grouphad divided into two action groups. The first

would work as Pennsylvanians for Human Life,addressing legislative issues and launching aspeakers group to educate the public to the re-ality of abortion. Dolores Rutherford and LenaHohenadel were named Co-Chairmen.

Virginia Duval shared information about Birth-

right, Inc., a Canadian based organization. Those

in attendance felt that any effort to combat thremoval of a ban on abortion should be coupl

with action to assist those who would contemplaterminating the life of their baby. It was agreethat any such service should be non-political, nosectarian and non-judgmental. To that end, the twgroups operated independently of one another.

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The Reason We Exist

W W hen Jody came to AWC for her appointment, the staff could tell she had been crying. She said she just could

not have another baby. She had a daughter now that she justloves so much and she could not imagine having another childthat she could love also. Her whole life revolved around herdaughter.

She recently lost her job and did not want to depend on herfamily or others for the things she needed. She had been deny-ing that she was pregnant and then felt the baby move. Thatreally scared her. She was considering an abortion and the fathersaid he would support whatever she decided. She knew there

were risks with having an abortion especially since she was farenough along to feel the baby’s movements. She did not want torisk her own life and not be here for her daughter.

We talked about the baby inside of her and how precious thatlife is and how she would be a wonderful mother for this baby also. This baby would be a blessing to her daughter.. She agreed,but she just could not imagine loving that baby the way she

loves her daughter.

We talked about adoption. She considered it. However, she quetioned if she could really do it. If she did decide to place thchild for adoption, she wanted to take care of the baby now he/she would be healthy. She had a pregnancy test so that shcould be referred for prenatal care. That way she could see ho

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Virginia, and young mothers and professional counselors, MaEllen Gallagher and Lena Hohenadel established Birthright Lancaster, Inc., creating a plan that included fund developmena volunteer training module, manual and organizationstructure. Some of those who volunteered assisted with the hoof details that this effort entailed, while others began their traiing as volunteer counselors in earnest. This latter group numbered about forty. Organized and prepared for the unknowthe office opened on East King Street on June 1, 1973.

What were the early days like?

We had a host of well educated volunteers, who gave their tim

Some Highlights From the Banquet . . .

History of AWC, continued from page 1.

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Donor Acknowledgement

TT hank you so much to those individuals, churches and organizations who made the work of AWC possible by making a donation during the months of Februar y through May 2011.

INDIVIDUALS

Ray Adelizzi, Dolores Allison, Paul & Delores Augustine, Joseph & Carol Aukamp, Anthony & Nina Auriti,Martha Barber, Pattye Barley, Anne Barnes, Larry & Stella Beat, Thomas Bertz, Robert & Zandra Blowers,Jeff & Lea Brenneman, Larry Bressler, Thomas & Joanne Castner, Henry & Edna Christ, Judith Cluck,

Joseph & Amy Clupp, Judy Cook, Joyce & Will iam Cornwell, Robert & Suzanne Cybulski, Jim & CollenDarby, Elmer & Carolyn Derstler, Benjamin & Anne Marie Dicarlo, James Dougherty, David & KarenDrevyanko, Carl & Kathleen Eddins, Brian Eltz, Jean Emplit, Daniel & Dorothy Fritsch, Jon & Janet Fritz,

Arthur Garzon, Francesco & Mary Ellen Genoese, Mrs. Henry Glah, Marie Grady, Michael & Amy Granby,Johanna Grossman, Helen Hahn, Michael Hargraves, Jennifer Henry, Jack & Lena Hohenadel, CurtHollenbaugh, Paul & Sylvia Hollinger, Charles & Therese Jackson, JM, Mary Lou Joseph, Sandra Keyes,Richard & Sandra Kline, CJ & Dorothy Krall, Janet Kreiner, Frank & Madeline Kuchinski, Jerome & RobertaKurland, Richard Lauriello, Benjamin & Kathleen Law, Kayla Lear, James & Joan Lehmier, Mitch & MichelleLong, Paul & Kelly Lynch, Richard & Virginia Maher, Joseph & Janet Mathiot, Joseph & Mary McCafferty,Mark & Nancy McGaha, John & Carole McHugh, Joe & Helen McMonagle, Emil Mitman, Joseph & AnnaMoloney, Arlene Mueller, Robert & Daphne Myers, Joseph & Barbara Nikolaus, Mark O’neill, Nicholas &Faith Peltzer, James & Anne Pierson, Jason Propst, Beth Resch, James & Sally Roche, Patricia Rodriguez,Sue Roehm, Lewis & Amelia Sabatine, Peter & Mary Scaccia, John & Jessie Scala, James & Sheila Schoeplein,Patricia Schreck, Richard & Phyllis Schwartz, Drs. Tom & Susanne Scott, Paul & Frances Sescilla, John &Kathleen Shaeffer, Mimi Sigworth, Vasa Simpson, Duane Sofia, George & Bernice Stadler, Mary Stehman,Paul & Sarah Thibault, Gerald & Algean Thompson, Steven & Sharon Troelsch, Eileen Tymon, Robert

Visniski, Fred & Janice Wagaman, Timothy & Sheila Weibel, Stephen Wenzel, Erick & Mary Wittemann,

Dolores Yecker CHURCHES AND ORGANIZATIONS

Barry Bruce & Company, Charles Snyder Funeral Homes, D.A.S Distributers, The Dyer Company, Ever-green Estates, The Hershey Company, Holy Trinity Church, Jones Family of Dealerships, Lancaster’s Furni-ture to Go, Mother & New Baby Care of York, Stadel Volvo, St. Anne Church, St. Anthony Church, StarRock Services, St. Catherine Church, St. James Church, St. John Neumann Church, St. Joseph Church, St.Leo Church, St. Mary Church, St. MaryChurch Tithing, St. Peter Church, William’s Apothecary

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CLIENT STATISTICS . . . for the months of January through May 2011

OFFICE VISITS .............................. 487

NEW CLIENTS............................... 158

Ages 11–14 ...................................... 4 Ages 15–19 .................................... 31 Ages 20–24 .................................... 57 Ages 25–29 .................................... 37 Ages 30+ ........................................ 29

PARENTING PROGRAM VISITS .. 280

PRACTICAL HELP VISITS ............ 235(Baby/maternity clothes, formula, etc.)

PREGNANCY TESTS ....................... 65Positive ........................................... 46Negative ......................................... 19

ULTRASOUNDS .............................. 13

Following is a breakdown of the client services we provided:

CLIENT NEEDS

Good Start formula, powder or cansof concentrate

Baby clothing, sizes newbornto 4T, new or like new only

Layette items (onesies, socks,sleepers, towels, wash cloths, bibs,bottles)

Disposable diapers, all sizes

Blankets, crib & receiving sizes

Maternity clothing, esp. larger sizes,new or like new

Strollers, car seats (only late year

models, new or like new) & cribs (slats2-3/8 in. apart), new or like new only

New baby items or gift cards toGiant or Weis for moms and babies inthe Parenting Program

OFFICE NEEDS In-kind or reduced printing services

Office volunteers willing to donate4 hours per week

Office cleaning volunteer

Facebook volunteer

Gift cards to Staples, OfficeMax or Walmart for office supplies

W W e so appreciate the donations of material goods that our donors

contribute to us. Please call the office at394-1561 or stop by during office hoursif you can donate any of the following

items.

Volunteer Vignettes

W W e recently had to say goodbye two longtime office voluntee

Heather Milligan and Susan TuckeHeather is relocating and Susan will devoting more time to her family and h

job. We will miss our Thursday evenincrew!

We are happy to welcome Yvonne NaPatricia Smith, and Corinne Ditzler to o

volunteer family. Yvonne and Corinne atraining to be volunteer counselors anPatricia is training to be a volunteer rceptionist. Welcome ladies!

We had to say goodbye to three boamembers in June. Lena Hohenadel, whhelped found the organization we now c

A Woman’s Concern, left the board aftmany years of devotion to the center. W

also said goodbye to long-time boamember, Dr. Anthony Mastropietro, ofirst medical director. Tom Bertz, tresurer, also stepped down to pursue othactivities. Thank you all for your ma

years of service!

History of AWC, continued from page 2.

at the office and on the 24 hour hotline. Gaps in prenatal services to single mothers were identified. Terri Schmitter created a Prenatal and Parenting program, the first of its kind to target single mothers-to-be. Others supplied maternity housing, pre-adop-tion counseling, and maternity clothing. Executive Director of Catholic Charities of Lancaster, Mark Gallagher and his Board, vacated their offices on Orange Street toenable Birthright of Lancaster to have a larger and more visible office. Services contin-ued to be added, including pre-adoptive care for infants and adoption counseling.

Word spread by word of mouth and advertisements in community and college newspa-pers, radio and TV appearances. Speakers entered schools, churches and social groupssuch as Rotary to educate the public to what was Birthright of Lancaster.

How did the community receive you?

Birthright of Lancaster operated as a professional agency from the start. The cadre of well trained volunteers and speakers was respected by this community. The quality of our work and the innovative outreach that was done spoke for itself. With time, aspeople’s perception of abortion changed, we began to be viewed differently. That be-came clear during a television interview that characterized us not as conservatives, butas the reactionaries.

How did you secure funding?

There was much to be done and we simply went forward. We trusted in God that what we needed would be available to us, and it was. Paul and Virginia Duval certainly easedthat burden in those early years. Catholic Charities also lent their support.

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616 N. Duke StreetLancaster, PA 17602(717-394-1561)

www.pregnancylancaster.com

ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

Non-Profit OrganizationU.S. Postage

PAID

Permit No. 1175Lancaster, PA 17604

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A W OMAN ’ S C ONCERN ,I NC .

Executive DirectorCathy L. Hendrixson

Client Services DirectorHolly Tanner

Nurse ManagerLinda Sydorko

Office ManagerCasey Thomas

Board of DirectorsPeter Sydorko, PresidentJill Hartman, Vice PresidentLinda Greineder, Secretary Mitch Long, TreasurerLisa CampbellColleen Darby Dr. John EnglishSheila SchoepleinJane Scott Skehan

Newsletter LayoutTerri Dill

“Like” Us on Facebook! A A Woman’s Concern is on Facebook.

Please check out our Facebook pageand “like” us. Search for “A Woman’s Con-cern Lancaster.” Check back often to see up-dates and interesting tidbits. Tell your friendsabout us too.

If you have a little extra time and would be willing to help us with monitoring ourFacebook page on a regular basis, please con-tact Cathy at 394.1136 as soon as possible.

Annual Flower Sale a Success

TT hanks to all the generous parishionersand helpers, the annual Mother’s Day

Flower Sale fundraiser was a great success.Local churches sold live carnations on Mother’sDay, with the proceeds going to the ongoing

work of A Woman’s Concern. Over $4500 wasraised from this event! That’s exciting!

far along she was. The counselor asked if shecould call her and she said, “Yes.” She left alittle happier than when she came. The coun-selor called her several times but could notreach her by phone, so the counselor emailedher hoping for some kind of response. There

was none.

Thinking that she would never see Jody againor know what happened with her pregnancy,the counselor continued to pray. Much to hersurprise, Jody made an appointment three

weeks later to come in for parenting classes.She was farther along in her pregnancy thanshe thought. When she told her mother, shesaid that God must have wanted her to haveanother child. She was quite supportive of Jody. She knew that Jody would be the goodmother as she had already shown herself tobe.

Jody seemed to have accepted the pregnancy and was ready to move forward with prepar-ing for the new little girl in her life and herdaughter was excited about having a baby sister.

The Reason We Exist, continued from page 2.

Garden of Delights

W W e are very grateful to the Knights of Columbus of Saint John Neumann for

beautifying the garden in front of our office.

They made the entrance way a pure delight.

awc summer 2011

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