Amanda Franks, Author at Care Net Peninsula

March 7, 2022July 19, 2022

Missed Period Pills

“This concept was developed as a way to provide early abortions to women who are uncomfortable with the idea of terminating a pregnancy.”

Ever heard of “Missed Period Pills”?

It’s a new option abortion providers are researching to use the same prescription medications from a medical abortion on a woman who has not even tested to know if she is pregnant or not. That’s right, if you’ve missed your monthly period and the stress of even taking a pregnancy test is more than you can bear, you can participate in another research study that uses medical abortion drugs to manipulate your body.

This concept was developed as a way to provide early abortions to women who are uncomfortable with the idea of terminating a pregnancy.

As early as 28 days from your last period and without taking a pregnancy test, these prescription abortifacients are being touted as safe and effective. Instead of questioning why your period might be late—stress, dietary changes, sexually transmitted infection, or pregnancy- they are even offering people discounts to participate in this study. Some women experience missed periods for reasons unrelated to pregnancy and should be further evaluated for their reproductive health.

Doesn’t it make more sense to get a free pregnancy test instead of just taking a missed period pill?

At Alcove Health, we believe knowledge is power. Why expose yourself to hormone disruptive drugs without obtaining a full picture of what’s going on with your body? Your personal reproductive health history is important enough to pursue without any fear of monetary gain from an industry not looking out for your best interest.

The ethical problems this raises by exposing women to drugs that have numerous side effects and adverse health reactions are overwhelming. The medications used, Mifepristone and Misoprostol, will empty the contents of the uterus and the bleeding experienced can “bring on the missed period”. Because a pregnancy test is never performed, it is unknown which function is completed. The patient’s right to understand the implications of these medications on her body is never fully revealed to her.

At Alcove Health Women’s Clinic in Newport News, we provide a safe space for you to process your options, along with the medically accurate information you need to make an informed decision. Call us today at 757-591-8141 to schedule your free appointment.

Meg Williams, RN, BSN

March 22, 2022

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March 5, 2022March 31, 2022

Meet Teresa Chalsma

Meet Our Board of Directors

Teresa Chalsma

At the end of 2021, we welcomed long-time Care Net Family member, Teresa Chalsma, onto our Board of Directors.

Teresa, alongside her husband Brian, has been a faithful supporter of the ministry since 2010. During that time, she has worn many hats in our ministry, and we have loved serving alongside her.

As a Client Intake Volunteer (CIV), Teresa was able to see first-hand the work being done in our clinic each week. She played a vital role in aiding our clinic team during her shift and ensured clients were provided a warm and welcoming atmosphere.

Her ability to connect with others and passion to share about the mission and work of our ministry made Teresa the first choice when setting up our Executive Leadership Team for our Peninsula4Life Dinners. In 2020 she took up the charge to chair the team and assisted us in navigating a fundraising dinner through a global pandemic.

Aside from being “boots on the ground” within the ministry, Teresa, along with her partners at The Roofing Company, generously sponsor our events each year to help ensure all funds raised go directly back into our clinic.

“I started volunteering and supporting Care Net Peninsula because I felt it was a positive way to serve moms and save babies. I love that all the services are free to women. The staff at the clinic is phenomenal!”

Teresa holds a bachelor’s degree from Radford University in business and marketing – we look forward to seeing how God can use her skills and knowledge in those areas in the years to come.

In her free time, Teresa enjoys being with her family. She has been married to her husband Brian for 31 years, and together they share 3 daughters. Teresa and Brian enjoy traveling in their RV, including a yearly trip with their entire family. The Chalsma family are members of Lifehouse Church and spend their time supporting not only local missions like Care Net, but they love to help spread the Gospel through mission trips abroad.

We know this new season and new role within Care Net for Teresa will continue to bless our moms and babies and help to spread the message of help and hope to so many women across the community who need it.

Teresa Chalsma and Family

Amanda Franks, Marketing Director

March 14, 2022

A Family YOU Helped This Year!

Here are some sweet pics of a family YOU provided help and hope to this past year!

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She’s been one of the driving forces behind a successful event season for our ministry, and we thought it was time we finally introduce you to our Development Coordinator, Emalee.

When Going Above and Beyond Makes a Difference - Care Net Peninsula - Newport News, Virginia (VA)

When Going Above and Beyond Makes All the Difference

Click to read our latest ministry update and how are team goes above and beyond for the women we serve.

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Click to read our latest ministry update and how TWO failed abortion attempts could equal life for a baby girl.

March 5, 2022March 9, 2022

Planned Parenthood’s Roo

What Can’t Roo Do?

You’ve got questions. Maybe you missed your period,and you are wondering if you should get a free pregnancy test? Maybe you are also worried you need a free STI test. Where can you go for both? Do you need both?

A friend suggested you ask Roo. Roo who? Roo is the sexual health chatbot from Planned Parenthood. According to their website Roo “answers all your awkward questions about sexual health, relationships, growing up, and more”. Sounds great, right?

If you’re facing an unplanned pregnancy, that might sound like a great place to start. After all, many unplanned pregnancies end in abortion and Planned Parenthood is the number one abortion provider in the nation. So getting information from the number one abortion provider might make sense.

Or does it? Perhaps what you need most is accurate medical information so you can process all of your options.

Here are just a few questions Roo can’t answer…

Is my pregnancy in the right place? Because if it’s not, that’s known as an ectopic pregnancy and it requires immediate medical attention.

Is there a heartbeat? If your pregnancy isn’t viable, you might end up paying for an abortion while you are actually in the process of a miscarriage. For women who know they are pregnant, statistics show 10 to 15% end in miscarriage. For those who don’t yet know, the number is estimated to be as high as 50%.

How far along am I really? While the last menstrual period is a good indication of how far along you might be, it is not always accurate. An ultrasound is the only way to be completely sure. Accurate dating is of vital importance no matter what option you might be considering.

At Alcove Health Women’s Clinic, we provide a safe space for you to process your options. In addition, our Registered Nurses can provide you with the valuable medical information you need to make an informed decision. And we can provide all of these services at no-cost to you. Give us a call today at 757-591-8141 and schedule an appointment.

Sherri Pigue, Client Relations Manager

March 8, 2022

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February 24, 2022March 3, 2022

Prayer and Praises – February 2022

February Prayer & Praises

“Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love.”
1 John 4:7-8

Why Be Gracious? Because of the immeasurable grace we have each received. When we recognize the grace and mercy that has been poured out on our lives through Jesus’ finished work on the cross, we are able to extend grace and kindness to others. His sacrifice was perfect in every way and able to present us blameless before a Holy and perfect God.

It seems unfathomable to know that God sees us with all of our sin and shame, and yet He still loves us and forgives us. Thanks be to God!

Let us encourage one another to be gracious to mothers who are trying to make the right choice for their babies. They need our compassion and for us to share the love of Christ with them by demonstrating it through our actions, prayers, and resources.

Please pray for them and everyone who interacts with them through the clinic, that the mothers would be well cared for and given the necessary tools and encouragement to protect the sanctity of their baby’s life.

"...and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God." - Ephesians 5:2

Prayer for health & strength for the Care Net staff as they continue to serve more women than ever in this ministry’s history.

“Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health, as it goes well with your soul.” – 3 John 1:2

Pray that more women than ever before will choose life for their unborn children and find salvation through Jesus Christ by visiting our center.

“Because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart, one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.” – Romans 10:9-10

Pray for healing for woman who have walked the path of abortion as we begin a new post-abortion support group this month.

“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” – Isaiah 41:10

Evelyn Amis, Volunteer Prayer Coordinator

February 25, 2022

February 17, 2022March 31, 2022

Meet Dyan Gurley

Meet Our Board of Directors

Dyan Gurley

Last year we added another wonderful community leader and long-time ministry supporter, Dyan Gurley, to our Board of Directors. God has been using her to spread his Word and stand for life on Peninsula for some time now and we are thankful to have her as part of the Care Net Family.

Dyan is a Certified Encouragement Consultant, Licensed Minister, and founder of Alabaster Women Ministries in Newport News. She has a passion for mentoring women of all ages, showing them grace and the love of Christ. Dyan is the wife of a military veteran and a proud Mom and Grandmom, who loves spending time with her family. In her free time, she enjoys sewing, crocheting, baking, and reading.

Already over the course of the year that Dyan has been on our Board of Directors, she has helped to bridge connections to local churches in our community that were unfamiliar with the work of Care Net Peninsula and our clinic – to spread the message of our ministry that we are here to provide the help and hope local women need to choose life for their babies. We look forward to serving alongside Dyan and are grateful for the many ways she serves our ministry and our moms and babies.