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Meet Teresa Chalsma

Teresa Chalsma
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.  

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Teresa Chalsma and Family

Amanda Franks, Marketing Director

March 14, 2022

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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. 

Amanda Franks, Marketing Director

February 17, 2022

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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.

Read More »

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 »

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.

Read More »
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Leesa Conley to Chair Care Net Peninsula’s 36th Annual Walk4Life

LEESA CONLEY TO CHAIR CARE NET PENINSULA’S 36TH ANNUAL WALK4LIFE

Local businesswoman Leesa Conley to serve as chair at this year’s annual Walk4Life Community Event to take place on April 30th, 2022 at Newport News Park.

Newport News, VA January 20, 2022 – This April 30th over 1,000 community members will gather at Newport News Park for the 36th annual Walk4Life benefitting Alcove Health, the Peninsula’s only no-cost women’s pregnancy health center. This annual event brings together local businesses, churches, and individuals to raise awareness and funds for the pregnancy clinic’s medical services and resources.

The 2022 Walk will be chaired by local businesswoman Leesa Conley, Retirement Services Officer at Old Point Trust. Leesa’s passion for the unborn, devoted history with Care Net, and deep community relationships make her the ideal chairperson for this impactful community event.

“My father was the bi-product of a woman in the 50’s who decided to choose life for her unborn baby. Her decision to choose life for my father has birthed in me a deep passion and love for the ministry of Care Net Peninsula. I am honored to be able to carry on the legacy and chair the 2022 Walk4life.”

Registration opens at 8:30 am and the event will begin at 9:30 am at shelters 19 & 20 and will include a community walk through Newport News Park, music by “The Hunts”, family activities, and refreshments. For more information or to donate online, please visit www.peninsulawalk4life.org.

About Care Net Peninsula Care Net Peninsula, founded in 1986 as Peninsula Crisis Pregnancy Center, is a 501(c)3 nonprofit that provides no-costs services to women experiencing unplanned pregnancy. Care Net Peninsula operates a medical clinic in Newport News offering options counseling, ultrasounds, parenting support and more.

Anne Sych, Director of Development

February 9, 2022

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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.

Read More »

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 »

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.

Read More »
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Meet Pastor Shaun Brown

2022 Board of Directors Shaun Brown

Meet Our Board of Directors

Pastor Shaun Brown

Throughout the year you get to know our team and interact with us in different ways, but a side of that team you don’t get a glimpse of very often is our Board of Directors. These are faithful men and women from our community who have given a piece of their time to the ministry to help us continue to flourish and grow.

We want to take some time this year to introduce you to each of them and say thank you for the work they’re doing behind the scenes.

Pastor Shaun Brown and his family have been a part of the Care Net Family for over a decade, and we were thrilled to have him join the Board of Directors this past year.

“I am truly humbled and excited to be a new board member of Care Net, and excited to see what God has in store for the future of this ministry.”  – Pastor Shaun

Pastor Shaun is the Senior Pastor of Coastal Church in Yorktown and has faithfully led his congregation for over 20 years now. He received his bachelor’s degree from Moody Bible Institute and his Master of Divinity from the Reformed Theological Seminary. He has a passion for serving his community and leading people to the Gospel. 

We have been blessed by Pastor Shaun and his congregation’s commitment to speak for the unborn over the years by having Coastal as one of our church partners. Through the congregation, we have built some beautiful relationships with donors, volunteers, and even staff members over the years. Coastal has even been gracious enough to host and help out with our Drive-In4Life and Pop-Up Church4Life the last two years.  

It has already been a wonderful year with Pastor Shaun on board and we can’t wait to see how God continues to use him in his new role in the ministry.   

Amanda Franks, Marketing Director

February 3, 2022

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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.

Read More »

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 »

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.

Read More »
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Joy from Pain

Joy from Pain

When I was a little girl, age 5, my mother had an abortion. There were medical reasons, but the effects of that decision were life-long for her and for my father as well as for myself and likely my other siblings. That moment stopped time for me, and what my parents thought would be the best answer for their situation ended up being a destructive decision that immediately brought remorse for the loss of a child who would’ve been my little brother.

Many struggles came from that painful decision. Most importantly, God used this terrible decision to help my mother make sure I understood that she was carrying a BABY that was taken from the world too soon and that that would never be an option again.

Fast forward 15 years, and my boyfriend and I discovered we were pregnant. We both loved the Lord but were in a promiscuous relationship together and those choices resulted in a pregnancy. There was no doubt that we were keeping our child even though some people pressured us to seek an abortion. We prayed that God would use our daughter to love others well and give us opportunities to share the Gospel with our story.

We have never regretted our decision, and 28 years later we have four children who love Jesus. We know and believe that God worked despite our sin through our repentance for our good and His glory. He is faithful in every situation. The daughter we chose to keep has made us grandparents twice over now, and we are so blessed.

Submitted Anonymously

January 14, 2022

The Care Net Peninsula Family is built up of so many amazing individuals. You encourage us with the ways you fight abortion in our community and work to provide help and hope to local women so they choose life for their babies. You each have a unique story of how God brought you to this moment to take up this charge and we would love to hear it. 

If you would like to share your story with the Care Net Family send an email to amanda@cnpeninsula.org

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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.

Read More »

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 »

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.

Read More »
Load More
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2021 Fall Newsletter

Fall 2021 Newsletter

As a physician, I am constantly asking the question, “WHY?” Why does this patient have pelvic pain? Why is this baby growing smaller in the womb than it should be? Why has this cancer developed?

I also like to evaluate my personal motivations with this same “WHY?” question. As an OB/GYN, why am I pro-life? In the midst of a busy medical practice and raising a family, why do I serve as the volunteer medical director after a 24-hour shift of delivering babies? When so many OB/GYNs in my field consider abortions to be no more than removing unwanted “products of conception,” why is my heart so grieved when I hear about these procedures?

    • God has given me a calling to help bring LIFE into the world. Life starts in the womb, and I believe in the sanctity and personhood of life along all parts of the journey.

    • I have seen the “products of conception” on the ultrasound screen return as a healthy baby in the arms of grateful parents (biological and adopted) to be loved and nurtured to full maturity.

    • I have seen the tears of women who have made decisions based in fear that cannot be undone . . . memories that can haunt them for years.

    • I see the true love and concern in the tone, facial expressions, and actions of the Care Net staff as they spend quality time caring for the clients in front of them, treating each one as an individual.

    • I love hearing the testimonies of redemption as we see children born into situations the world would deem hopeless, but our God redeems and restores.

    • I know that Care Net provides exceptional medical, spiritual, emotional, and truly holistic care to women, that is lacking in many medical settings due to time constraints and other factors.

    • I know that clients are being given the opportunity to receive accurate and complete information about their pregnancy without fear of coercion or cost.

    • I personally review every single ultrasound image and I know that the medical team are highly trained experts in Nursing and in Ultrasonography.

    • I know that clients receive medical screenings, pregnancy tests, prenatal vitamins, medical and spiritual counseling, community support referrals, and follow-up care instructions to optimize their health.

    • I know the ministry is backed by believers and churches who stand ready, willing, and equipped to mentor and support these new parents to care for their children.

I passionately support Care Net, as I know that innumerable lives have been saved by the decisions women made through receiving accurate and complete information about their pregnancy. Why? Because just as the ultrasound brings light into a dark womb, so we reflect the light of Christ into a dark world to bring spiritual and physical life, one soul at a time.

Digital Newsletter

Dr. Lunsford, Medical Director

November 15, 2021

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2024 Year-End Update from Our Executive Director

December 10, 2024

I want to start by saying thank you. Your support this year has helped save lives. In fact, we saved more babies from abortion in 2024 than any year in our history. Every prayer, every gift, every moment you’ve stood with us —it’s all made a difference.

Read More »

What Is An Options Counseling Session?

December 2, 2024

But there’s one service that seems to many of our donors as, well, mysterious. We use words like “safe space” and “lovingkindness” when we discuss our services, but what exactly is this thing we call an “Options Counseling Session?”

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A Debut 30 Years In The Making

30 Years In The Making

A Debut 30 Years In The Making

It has been a year of growth for our ministry; we’re seeing a rise in appointment requests and an increase in abortion-minded women. We have had to grow our team to meet these new demands, and we would like to introduce you to our newest team member, Sylvia Pottle. 

We welcomed Sylvia in June when she came on board as a Client Advocate. She immediately started training and started this fall off able to counsel women on her own. It’s not an easy task, and our advocates and nurses are prepped to handle any situation they may find themselves in. We are all proud of Sylvia for what she has accomplished. 

Our team is made up of women, who like our clients, all have their own unique stories.  

Sylvia joined our team after years in the marketing world – she holds a Bachelor’s in Business with a minor in Marketing, and a Master’s in Education with a concentration in adult learning and training.  

God used a specific moment in her life to place a desire in her heart to protect the unborn and to serve women in need. That moment came 30 years ago when she found herself as a teenager sitting in a Crisis Pregnancy Center expecting her first child. Since then, Sylvia has devoted time and resources to serving local centers. Her heart is to support the women and babies that come through Crisis Pregnancy Centers, including ours.  

Sylvia and her husband John reside in Williamsburg and attend Christ Fellowship Church. Together they share three adult children and children-in-law and five grandbabies … with a sixth due very soon! When Sylvia is not at work or with her family, you can surely find her gardening, reading, or hiking.  

We are grateful that thirty years after that first visit to a pregnancy center, Sylvia has found herself yet again in one – but this time ministering to young moms like her looking for someone to listen and be there for them. She has blessed so many already and we continue to pray for her time with each and every one of the women she meets. 

Amanda Franks, Marketing Director

October 14, 2021

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2024 Year-End Update from Our Executive Director

December 10, 2024

I want to start by saying thank you. Your support this year has helped save lives. In fact, we saved more babies from abortion in 2024 than any year in our history. Every prayer, every gift, every moment you’ve stood with us —it’s all made a difference.

Read More »

What Is An Options Counseling Session?

December 2, 2024

But there’s one service that seems to many of our donors as, well, mysterious. We use words like “safe space” and “lovingkindness” when we discuss our services, but what exactly is this thing we call an “Options Counseling Session?”

Read More »
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¡Conoce a Karla!

¡Conoce a Karla!

As the needs of the women in our community continue to grow, we must do the same. One area where that growth takes place is in our clinic team. We’re excited to finally introduce you to our newest nurse, Karla Laskowski, RN, BSN.  

Karla has been part of our team for a little over six months now, joining us as a volunteer nurse and Spanish translator, a combo we didn’t have in our clinic and one that brought great comfort to our Spanish-speaking clients. We knew immediately we needed her on our team in a more permanent role, and the feeling was mutual.  

Our nurses each bring unique skills and knowledge to our team, and Karla is no different. Her passion for helping others, mixed with military life, has allowed her to care for many across different areas of medicine. She has trained in Audiology, Communicable Diseases, has worked in areas such as Telemetry, Dialysis, Medical Surgery, Home Health, Hospice, Case Manager, Public Health, Home Health Clinics, and as a charge nurse for an Urgent Care/ED.  

We’re proud to say she just finished her extensive training in Limited Diagnostic Imaging for Obstetrics Patients in Oregon and is one step closer to seeing clients on her own. Next up, she will be working alongside our Nurse Managers and Medical Director to finish some in-house training.  

God started preparing Karla for this role early on. She was born and raised in Costa Rica, alongside her quad siblings (yes, she is a quadruplet!!) and her two younger sisters. They were raised by a single mother whom Karla credits as being one of the strongest, fiercest, and most loving people she knows. Her mother’s faith and love for God were her family’s anchors through life’s struggles growing up. We see those same qualities in Karla every day, in and outside of the ultrasound room. 

While living in Honduras, Karla volunteered as a nurse translator and a new mom’s education facilitator at a local medical clinic for the uninsured. She has served as a nurse translator for two mission teams in Nicaragua.  

Karla and her husband have been married for almost twenty years now, and together they have one child. The military brought them to the Peninsula where they have settled in and found a faith community at Manna Church. Karla loves to spend her free time with her family and friends, exploring campgrounds in their new RV, or hunting for deals at local thrift stores, antique stores, and flea markets.

I asked Karla what drew her to Care Net and her response was: “The Care Net family’s strong love for unborn babies, their moms, and families. Their kingdom focus and strong faith to reach and love new moms in our communities.” 

We’re thankful for the people God keeps bringing to us and love seeing how he uses each of their gifts to protect the unborn and to care for their families. 

Amanda Franks, Marketing Director

August 3, 2021

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2024 Year-End Update from Our Executive Director

December 10, 2024

I want to start by saying thank you. Your support this year has helped save lives. In fact, we saved more babies from abortion in 2024 than any year in our history. Every prayer, every gift, every moment you’ve stood with us —it’s all made a difference.

Read More »

What Is An Options Counseling Session?

December 2, 2024

But there’s one service that seems to many of our donors as, well, mysterious. We use words like “safe space” and “lovingkindness” when we discuss our services, but what exactly is this thing we call an “Options Counseling Session?”

Read More »
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Meet Karen

Meet Karen

We have been holding on to this gem for a bit now – please give a big welcome to one of our newest Client Advocates, Karen Reynolds.

Karen joined our team early this Spring and jumped right into training and is now ready to see abortion-minded clients. One of the unique gifts that Karen brings to our ministry is that she previously worked as a Survivor Advocate and Case Manager for Transitions Family Violence Services Emergency Housing Program, so she is used to meeting women during some of the most difficult seasons in their lives and ministering to them through it.

In fact, Karen has a long history of ministry work, serving as a Food Bank Administrator and Operator, as well as an Outreach Coordinator for local churches. She holds degrees in Human Services, Business Administration, and Early Childhood Development from Saint Leo University and Thomas Nelson Community College, skills and knowledge that will be put to good use in this ministry. 

Karen has been married to her husband for over 27 years, and together they lived the Navy life for 20 years before settling down in Virginia. She is the proud Mom of 3 sons, 1 daughter, and 1 daughter in love, and is a member of Hope Church in Newport News.

We’re so grateful to have Karen on our team and are looking forward to the many ways God will use her in our ministry.

Amanda Franks, Marketing Director

June 8, 2021

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2024 Year-End Update from Our Executive Director

December 10, 2024

I want to start by saying thank you. Your support this year has helped save lives. In fact, we saved more babies from abortion in 2024 than any year in our history. Every prayer, every gift, every moment you’ve stood with us —it’s all made a difference.

Read More »

What Is An Options Counseling Session?

December 2, 2024

But there’s one service that seems to many of our donors as, well, mysterious. We use words like “safe space” and “lovingkindness” when we discuss our services, but what exactly is this thing we call an “Options Counseling Session?”

Read More »
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Why I Became a Nurse

Why I Became A Nurse

“I love that God uses our personal history to shape us in our careers”

I was 16 years old when I received a call from my mom—I was across town at a friend’s house for the day. It was a very hot Florida day in August 1984, and my Dad, 44 years old, had been out cutting the grass. He was feeling winded and diaphoretic, so he stopped for some cold water and a cigarette. That didn’t work. It quickly escalated to intense chest pain and panic—my mother insisted he lay down in the back seat of the station wagon while she drove at high speed to the local Air Force Hospital. They confirmed quickly that he was having a massive heart attack. That day changed the Lester family.
It changed the way we ate, it changed my parent’s personal habits; it changed the way we interacted; it changed my future.

My father had a couple of years of serious medical problems; I was often the one who helped care for him. My mother had recently returned to work outside the home, my oldest brother had just left for college, and I rose to the opportunity. In fact, I loved it. I didn’t mind cleaning up after bathroom messes or dirty bandages, delivered medications on time, became the walking / Physical therapy partner, and all-around encourager. Our family starting eating heart-healthy meals together, my mom and dad quit smoking after 40 years, we all began an exercise regimen, and we practiced more graciousness towards one another. We were thankful for a new beginning towards a healthier lifestyle. Two years later, I followed my brother to the state university to begin my studies in Nursing.

I love everything about Nursing. I love the science & wonder of how the body works; I love learning & teaching the interactions of medications with disease processes and healthy lifestyles; I love the hope that arises when healing takes place and the joy found in new life and fresh starts. It is a privilege to be trusted by people in their most vulnerable states, to advocate for their best interest, and to share personal moments that change lives. I love that God uses our personal history to shape us in our careers, and offers unique opportunities for us to comfort others with the same comfort we have received from Him.

Meg Williams, RN, BSN

May 6, 2020

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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.

Read More »

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 »

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.

Read More »