Catherine’s Story
When Catherine first visited First Coast Women’s Services, she was stuck and burdened by a weight too hard for her to carry alone. At the time, her boyfriend was unemployed, and they were both considering abortion. With a lack of a healthy support system and a lack of knowledge due to her youth, Catherine didn’t feel prepared to take on the responsibility of motherhood.
Through time, follow-up, loads of support, and repeat ultrasounds so they could both see the baby, Catherine chose life for her daughter. Not only was a physical life decision made, but also a spiritual life decision was made as Catherine rededicated her life to Christ. Her boyfriend is also making steps towards Christ. Catherine and Anthony are now engaged and actively attending a local church, all while raising their beautiful baby girl, Evangelina.
Evangelina means “Messenger of Good News” and this beautiful baby girl is already living up to her name.
Many of our clients have a myriad of issues that push them toward considering an abortion. Thankfully, Catherine and Anthony found the support they needed to not only choose life for Evangelina, but spiritual life for themselves. They both attended parenting classes to equip them to be the parents that Evangelina needs and are learning those parenting skills from a positive support system at First Coast Women’s Services.
A Message from John Huggins
PGA Tour Senior Vice President
You Can Help Change the Culture for Your Grandchildren
Your current giving helps to shape the culture in which we live. Legacy Giving will help to shape the culture of your grandchildren and even great grandchildren.
John Huggins
“My wife, Mona, and I support First Coast Women’s Services. Serving as a member of the FCWS Board of Directors has only strengthened my confidence in the mission, leadership and strong financial future of this 501(c)(3) ministry. While Mona and I have made plans to wisely steward the financial resources the Lord has given us, we were not aware of the need to consider Legacy Giving to those causes in which we believe. We encourage you, in your financial planning, to seriously consider a Legacy Gift to First Coast Women’s Services. Working with our Financial Planner, we learned that it is a simple procedure. To discuss this further, contact FCWS Development Director Jen Pace at 904-549-6106.”
UPCOMING EVENTS
Letter from the CEO
April 13th marked the beginning of a new area for LIFE in Florida with Governor DeSantis’s signing of the Heartbeat Protection Act.
While we celebrate this victory for life, we also know there is work yet to be done. We still pray for the day when abortion will become not just totally illegal but also unthinkable, requiring heart-change on top of cultural change.
With abortion becoming a more limited option, more women and families will need support throughout their pregnancies and beyond. With that in mind, we wanted to share a vision with you on what all this means for FCWS moving forward. We are grateful to God for His guidance as we prepare for this new season ahead. In fact, He had already laid the decision to expand hours of operation on the hearts of our board members even before the abortion ban was being considered. Additionally, we have increased our investment in client marketing, as we are going to need to be more strategic than ever in reaching women before they make a decision. The ban simply reinforces these decisions as we know we will need this growth to meet the growing needs in our community.
With this in mind, our plan to address the growing needs in our community includes:
- Expanding our hours of operation, staff, and volunteers at all our Centers to support the increasing number of clients we are seeing.
- Increasing & diversifying our client marketing investment to reach women before they make a decision.
- Increasing material resources and support for mothers from the time they get a positive pregnancy test to birth and beyond. (See graphic)
Ultimately, we desire for our clients what Jesus desired for all of us: “that they might have life, AND that they might have it more abundantly” (John 10:10). Together, we pray that our support empowers women not only to choose life for their babies but also to walk in the abundant life God has given for them.
These goals are estimated to increase our budget $102,000 annually as a conservative figure. Will you prayerfully consider how you can continue to walk with us in this new era for LIFE? We are in need of additional volunteers at all our locations (especially Northside, Kernan and Clay) to serve during our expanded hours. This is an opportunity to truly be the hands and feet
of Jesus. We believe together God has called us for such a time as this.
Ever Grateful,
Judy Weber, CEO
