Bonita and Everett

Bonita and Everett

As we flipped our CNP calendars to April this month, we realized we never showed you all the sweet photos from this session of Bonita and Baby Everett. And while not pictured, Grandma was there too, and it was so sweet seeing these three generations together. Thank you friends for all you do to provide help and hope to local women in our community, you help to make these moments possible. 

Photos By: Amanda Franks, Marketing Director

The Twins Are ONE!

The Twins are ONE!

These sweet girls recently celebrated their FIRST birthday, and we can’t help but think about how sweet it has been to watch them grow this last year because of YOU and the support you provide our clinic.

Other Sessions: Christmas and 6 Months | Newborn

Photos By: Amanda Franks, Marketing Director

A Beautiful Celebration of Family

A Beautiful Celebration of Family

Isn’t this little family the cutest? Thank you for the help and hope you provide for our moms, babies, and families! You can also check out their maternity session here.

Photos By: Cindy Matthews, Volunteer Photographer

Meet Denise – A Nurse on a Mission to Serve Moms and Save Babies

Meet Denise

A Nurse on A Mission to Serve Moms & Save Babies

We’re thrilled to welcome Denise Espada, RN, BSN to the Care Net Peninsula team!

Denise first joined us in January 2024 as a per diem nurse, and this fall, she transitioned into a part-time role, bringing not just clinical expertise but a heart deeply committed to the mission of life.

As a Registered Nurse trained in limited ultrasounds, Denise works directly with the women who come through our doors, offering both medical care and compassionate support as they navigate big decisions. Her calm spirit and genuine love for people have already made her a blessing to our team and the moms we serve.

Denise’s heart for this ministry runs deep. She had been serving at another pregnancy center in Virginia, but when a position opened up at CNP, she knew God was opening a door that was closer to home and would give her the opportunity to dedicate more time to the mission.

Born and raised in Long Island, New York, Denise holds a BSN from Adelphi University. She’s lived in Virginia for the past 12 years and currently serves in both the women’s and children’s ministries at Calvary Chapel of Gloucester. And when she’s not serving at church or in the clinic, she’s most likely spending time with her big, beautiful family—her husband of 28 years, their five children, and two (almost three!) grandchildren.

She’s also bilingual and grew up in a Spanish-speaking home—something that has been a gift to many of the moms we serve.

When asked what she’s most looking forward to, Denise didn’t hesitate:
“Continuing to show women LIFE and LOVE.”

We couldn’t be more grateful to have Denise on our team, and we know you’ll love her just as much as we do. Next time you’re at the clinic, be sure to say hello and help us welcome her to the CNP Family!

Read More News Updates

Support Through Pregnancy and Beyond

A common question that pregnancy centers often face—whether from supporters or critics of the pro-life movement—is how we continue to support a woman after she chooses to keep her child. It’s a valid question, especially for faith-based providers who are called to love and serve others in tangible ways.

Read More »

Double the Christmas Spirit

Double the Christmas Spirit!

Were they the cutest or what on our Christmas card? When we did Christmas photos back in October, these little cuties were celebrating 6 months. It was a fun day celebrating a milestone in their life and preparing for the holiday season ahead! THANK YOU for being there for their mom and providing her with the help and hope she needed, when she needed it most!

Photos By: Amanda Franks, Marketing Director

From Hiking Trails to Hope-Filled Talks – Meet Our New Client Advocate

From Hiking Trails to Hope-Filled Talks

Meet Our New Client Advocate

The Care Net Peninsula family is growing again, and we’re excited to introduce you to one of our newest team members, Jessica Dykema!

Jessica officially joined our team this September as a Client Advocate. She recently completed her advocate training and is already meeting one-on-one with the women we serve. If you’ve been around CNP for a while now, you know just how vital our advocates are, and we’re grateful to have Jessica stepping into this critical role with wisdom, compassion, and a heart to serve.

Jessica and her husband, Steve, have been married for 20 years. Together, they have two “homegrown” boys and a daughter who was lovingly handpicked from India. As a family, they love traveling internationally and spending time outdoors, especially hiking!

Jessica brings with her a rich background in ministry and education. She holds a B.S. in Bible and Intercultural Studies and a master’s in Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) from Columbia International University. After 16 years of homeschooling, she’s currently pursuing certification as a professional life coach.

Her journey to Care Net Peninsula started when a CNP donor invited her to the Peninsula4Life Dinner and encouraged her to consider applying for the Client Advocate role. Before officially joining our team, Jessica also served as a Church Mentor, walking alongside women during this new season of their lives.

Jessica is passionate about using her God-given talents to make a lasting impact for the Kingdom. She’s a member of LibertyLive Church and is excited to serve women in our community with truth and grace.

We’re grateful that God led Jessica to our team, and we look forward to seeing how He will use her in this new season!

Read More News Updates

Support Through Pregnancy and Beyond

A common question that pregnancy centers often face—whether from supporters or critics of the pro-life movement—is how we continue to support a woman after she chooses to keep her child. It’s a valid question, especially for faith-based providers who are called to love and serve others in tangible ways.

Read More »

Baby S. Turns One!

Baby S. Turns ONE!

It has been a joy to celebrate each milestone with Baby S. and his mom, celebrating his life while he was still in his momma’s womb. This week, we got to celebrate his upcoming FIRST birthday and Christmas! 

Photos By: Amadna Franks, Marketing Director

Keeping the Lights On & Mission Moving – Meet Timothy Marr, Our Director of Operations.

Keeping the Lights on & the Mission Moving

Meet Timothy Marr, Our Director of Operations

If you’ve been around the Care Net Peninsula office over the past few months, there’s a good chance you’ve already seen Tim Marr quietly (but efficiently!) making things run behind the scenes. While he’s been with us for 8 months now, we figured it was time for a proper introduction.

Tim serves as our Director of Operations, overseeing everything from finances and HR to building logistics and general support for our team. If something needs fixing, streamlining, organizing, or evaluating, Tim’s likely already on it.

A Hampton native, Tim brings both local roots and a wealth of ministry experience to the team. He spent 20 years pastoring churches across North Carolina, South Carolina, Oklahoma, and West Virginia before returning to Virginia in 2021. Most recently, he served as a General Manager in the restaurant industry. But when a Care Net Peninsula email hit his inbox announcing the Director of Operations opening, something stirred – and, as Tim puts it, “the rest is history.”

Tim holds a BS in Business Administration from Old Dominion University and a Master of Divinity from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. He’s also an elder at Reformation Christian Fellowship and has a heart deeply rooted in gospel-centered service.

When he’s not at the office, Tim is husband to Katie (married 28 years!) and dad to four wonderful children – Kylie, Carson, Kara, and Colton.

We’re so thankful for all that Tim brings to Care Net Peninsula. If you haven’t met him yet, we hope you’ll take the time to say hello – he’s usually the one making sure everything (and everyone!) has what they need to thrive.

Read More News Updates

Support Through Pregnancy and Beyond

A common question that pregnancy centers often face—whether from supporters or critics of the pro-life movement—is how we continue to support a woman after she chooses to keep her child. It’s a valid question, especially for faith-based providers who are called to love and serve others in tangible ways.

Read More »

Why Early Medical Services Are Critical For Pregnant Women

WHY EARLY MEDICAL SERVICES ARE CRITICAL FOR PREGNANT WOMEN

When a woman is facing an unplanned pregnancy and needs to talk through her options, she typically has three choices: the abortion pill online, an abortion clinic, or Care Net Peninsula’s free medical clinic —Alcove Health.

At Alcove Health we provide women with medical support and also spiritual, emotional, and holistic care —something that can be lacking in medical facilities due to time constraints.

As the Medical Director for Alcove Health, I oversee the medical aspects of the clinic and review each ultrasound. I’m not personally in the room with each patient, but I serve alongside Alcove’s team of licensed Registered Nurses who have received specialized sonography and abortion education training.
 
On top of their medical skills and knowledge, this team of Nurses is passionate about their work and genuinely wants to help each woman they meet, even when that means going above and beyond to care for their clients.

Our Registered Nurses:

Kinta, RN, BSN

Nurse Manager

Meg, RN, BSN

Nurse

Denise, RN, BSN

Nurse

Patty, RN

Nurse

Karla, RN, BSN

Nurse

We provide medically accurate information detailing the fetal development of their baby. We also clarify the different types of abortion and what occurs in each procedure. We never encourage abortion, but we do explain the reality and risks of these procedures so women can make an informed decision. Our prayer is for each client to choose life for her baby.

The most critical component of our medical consultation is the ultrasound. The world around us tells women that an ultrasound isn’t essential —that it is easier not knowing details, and that it’s too invasive. But the truth is, ultrasounds can not only be life-saving for the baby, but life-changing for the moms by providing necessary medical information they need before taking their next step. Simply put, an ultrasound provides answers.

With each ultrasound, our nurses look for the following three things that are vital to a woman’s decision:

1. Location of the Pregnancy
This year alone, I have reviewed the scans of three women experiencing an ectopic pregnancy outside the uterus. If left undetected, they can rupture, leading to internal bleeding and even death. Because of early medical intervention, these clients received the treatment they needed in time.
 
2. Fetal Heart Rate
It is essential to know if the pregnancy is viable, regardless of whether a client is planning on carrying the baby to term or planning to have an abortion.
 
3. Gestational Age
Pregnant women can get a rough idea of how far along they are by calculating the time from the first day of their menstrual period (LMP). However, our nurses obtain measurements from the ultrasounds for a more accurate determination. 
 
For women considering abortion, this determines what options for termination are available and how our nurses consult with her. It also reveals the humanity of the baby developing in her womb.
 
Too often, our nurses hear clients say things like, “Why didn’t anyone tell me it would look like a baby?”, “There is already a heartbeat?”, or “It’s moving!”. The ultrasound is a window into the womb for our clients, revealing life forming right in front of their eyes and debunking the narrative that the baby is not yet a person.
 
I stand firmly behind Care Net Peninsula and the work we do to provide help and hope to women facing unplanned pregnancies. I know across the organization, this is a team of passionate Christ followers ready to support life, and I especially know that my team of nurses is prepared to meet every obstacle thrown their way to be able to minister and help the woman sitting in their ultrasound room.
 
When you support Care Net Peninsula, you are supporting the only local pregnancy center providing life-affirming medical services.
 

You Can Support the Mission and Work Of Care Net Peninsula Today By Making a Gift!

Dr. Jerrid Neeley, D.O., Medical Director

Friday, November 15, 2024

A Family YOU Helped This Year!

A Family YOU Helped This Year!

Below are some sweet pics of a family YOU provided help and hope to this past year! Thank you for praying over our moms, babies, and their families CNP Family. We’re so grateful for the love and support you provide.

Photos By: Roma Nicholson, Volunteer Photographer