Meet Lee Strobel – Our 2024 Peninsula4Life Dinner Guest Speaker

2024 Care Net Peninsula Peninsula4Life Dinner in Newport News, VA Keynote Speaker Lee Strobel

Meet Lee Strobel

Author. Apologist. Evangelist.

Care Net Peninsula's 2024 Peninsula4Life Guest Speaker

Atheist-turned-Christian Lee Strobel, the former award-winning legal editor of The Chicago Tribune, is a New York Times best-selling author of more than forty books and curricula that have sold fourteen million copies in total.

After probing the evidence for Jesus for nearly two years, Lee became a Christian in 1981, inspiring his best-selling book, The Case for Christ. In 2017, Lee’s spiritual journey was depicted in an award-winning motion picture which was shown in theaters around the world.

Lee has been described in the Washington Post as “one of the evangelical community’s most popular apologists.” He was educated at the University of Missouri and Yale Law School. He was a journalist for fourteen years at The Chicago Tribune and other newspapers, winning Illinois’ highest honors for both investigative reporting and public service journalism from United Press International.

Lee currently serves as Founding Director of the Lee Strobel Center for Evangelism and Applied Apologetics at Colorado Christian University.

Learn more about Lee: https://leestrobel.com/about

Tuesday, July 23, 2024

See Your 2023 Impact On The Peninsula

The Next Chapter

The ultrasound photo below tells a beautiful story. The pinnacle of God’s design on display in all its glory. A baby boy being formed in his mother’s womb. A stunningly clear three-dimensional image that showcases God’s ingenuity and human ingenuity in the same picture. The story of a mom defying the deadly lies of a sick culture and choosing life for her son. And of a community that gives sacrificially so that local women facing an unplanned pregnancy have a safe place to get the help they need – at no cost to them.

On top of your usual generosity, you gave so that Care Net Peninsula could build a permanent place to serve vulnerable moms and babies in our community. After 38 years of serving well over 10,000 clients we no have a beautiful, welcoming, state-of-the-art clinic that is a reflection of your love and passion for the women and babies we serve.

My commitment to you is that we will do whatever we can to leverage our new facility to serve as many moms and save as many babies as possible Please continue to give generously to this mission and pray regularly for our clients, their babies, and our staff. 

The Next Chapter

The ultrasound photo below tells a beautiful story. The pinnacle of God’s design on display in all its glory. A baby boy being formed in his mother’s womb. A stunningly clear three-dimensional image that showcases God’s ingenuity and human 

ingenuity in the same picture. The story of a mom defying the deadly lies of a sick culture and choosing life for her son. And of a community that gives sacrificially so that local women facing an unplanned pregnancy have a safe place to get the help they need – at no cost to them.

On top of your usual generosity, you gave so that Care Net Peninsula could build a permanent place to serve vulnerable moms and babies in our community. After 38 years of serving well over 10,000 clients we no have a beautiful, welcoming, state-of-the-art clinic that is a reflection of your love and passion for the women and babies we serve.

My commitment to you is that we will do whatever we can to leverage our new facility to serve as many moms and save as many babies as possible Please continue to give generously to this mission and pray regularly for our clients, their babies, and our staff. 

Executive Director

Unplanned Pregnancies & Abortions In Our Community

ABORTION IS ON THE RISE

According to the Virginia Department of Health, which is not correctly accounting for abortions by mail, the abortion rate on the Peninsula increased by 21% in 2022 – the most recent data available. 

In Virginia, there are virtually no limitations on abortion up to birth, and nationally, abortions have continued to increase.

914

total women served

233

abortion minded women served

121

confirmed babies saved

546

ultrasounds

644

pregnancy tests

162

STI tests

82

clients were connected with a church mentor

150

mothers completed our LEAP parenting program

627

women received baby supplies

Sarita’s Story – In Her Own Words

“I was in such a comfortable place before I found out I was pregnant. I was 28 years old, raising my daughter and managing motherhood well while focusing on my career in the medical field. My work schedule aligned perfectly with her school schedule, and our day-to-day life was molded around the two of us so that we could be happy and content. I enjoyed the freedom I had. Life was good.

When I found out I was pregnant, it took a toll on me – mentally and physically. I was in a constant battle between myself and my baby. I didn’t know what to do, where to start, who to look to – who to rely on.

I went to Alcove Health because I was comfortable with them. I came here 9 years ago with my first child. I knew I could trust them.

I experienced a family at Alcove – a mother, a nurturer, and a team who healed me back to life. I felt uplifted and empowered. I knew Alcove was where I could leave my tears, and when I walked out those doors, my shoulders would no longer be heavy. I didn’t leave feeling like a patient. I left feeling like I was a daughter, loved and cared for by the whole team.

Since my first visit, I have become a better woman and mother. I love this team with every ounce of me, and I know that my time with them will live with me for the rest of my life. I can see that God sent them to save lives. They saved my life and my daughter Gabby’s life.”

Want to make a difference in the lives of women and babies like Sarita and Gabby? Make a gift below to serve more mom and save more babies on the Peninsula!

2023 Expenses & Revenue

517

Defenders4Life

members of our monthly giving community – one of the most sustainable ways to give to our mission.

$600k

and more raised for capital campaign funds to go towards building our new home on the Peninsula!

$82,105

Bottles4Life Campaigns

$462,000

Peninsula4Life Dinner

$240,319

Walk4Life

The CNP Staff & Board of Directors

Ryan Holloway

Executive Director

Dr. Jerrid Neeley, D.O.

Medical Director

Shantelle Giles

Clinic Director

Anne Sych

Development Director

Amanda Franks

Marketing Director

Timothy Marr

Operations Director

Sherri Pigue

Client Relations Manager

Kinta Dye, RN, BSN

Nurse Manager

Meg Williams, RN, BSN

Nurse

Karla Laskowski, RN, BSN

Nurse

Denise Espada, RN, BSN

Nurse

Karen Reynolds

Client Advocate

Jenn Nicholson

Client Advocate

Archisha Roberson

Client Advocate

Emalee Yow

Development Coordinator

Rachel Gonzalez

Community Relations Coordinator

Joyce Stackhouse

Administrative Assistant (Admin)

Candra Smith

Administrative Assistant (Clinic)

Kalea Saenz

Video Content Creator

Garrett Maroon

Board Chair

Wayne Holcomb, Esq.

Board Vice-Chair

Pastor Shaun Brown

Board Secretary

Teresa Chalsma

Board Treasurer

Dyan Gurley

Board Member

Pastor Riley Brown

Board Member

Sarita’s Story

Sarita's Story

The saying goes—it takes a village to raise a child. To the women we serve, you’re their village. But saving that child’s life takes an entire team, as Sarita shares with you below in her own words.

“I was in such a comfortable place before I found out I was pregnant. I was 28 years old, raising my daughter and managing motherhood well while focusing on my career in the medical field. My work schedule aligned perfectly with her school schedule, and our day-to-day life was molded around the two of us so that we could be happy and content. I enjoyed the freedom I had. Life was good.

But two pink lines on a pregnancy test would quickly change that feeling.

“When I found out I was pregnant, it took a toll on me – mentally and physically. I was in a constant battle between myself and my baby. I didn’t know what to do, where to start, who to look to – who to rely on.”

So, she turned to a place she knew. A place she could feel safe.

“I went to Alcove Health because I was comfortable with them. I came here 9 years ago with my first child. I knew I could trust them.

I experienced a family at Alcove – a mother, a nurturer, and a team who healed me back to life. I felt uplifted and empowered. I knew Alcove was where I could leave my tears, and when I walked out those doors, my shoulders would no longer be heavy. I didn’t leave feeling like a patient. I left feeling like I was a daughter loved and cared for by the whole team.”

As Sarita continued, she talked about the women on our team who impacted her.

“The moment I walked through the doors, Candra’s presence at the front desk made me feel safe and put a smile on my face—and every time after. She is a jewel. Karen, my advocate, and Kinta, my nurse, are my light and protectors. In the darkest time of my life, they found a way to make it my brightest. If it wasn’t for the two of them, I don’t know where I would be today”.

Since my first visit, I have become a better woman and mother. I love this team with every ounce of me, and I know that my time with them will live with me for the rest of my life. I can see that God sent them to save lives. They saved my life and my daughter Gabby’s life”.

February 19, 2024

Get to Know Rachel!

Introducing Our New Community Relations Coordinator!

Over the years, God has been very gracious to our team by bringing the right people to the mission at just the right time, and we’re excited for you to meet our newest team member, Rachel González.

Rachel joined our ministry last spring as a development volunteer when she moved to the area after marrying her husband, Bobby, in March. Her vast skills and experience in donor relations made her an asset to our team, and in December, she came on board officially as our new Community Relations Coordinator.

As the Community Relations Coordinator, Rachel will assist Anne and the Development team with our Defenders4Life monthly giving program and donor care. She’s a face you’ll quickly get used to seeing, and we know you’ll love her just as much as we do!

You’ll enjoy hearing about Rachel’s unique background as you get to know her. She grew up a Pastor’s kid, one of four daughters to be exact, and as her faith grew, so did her desire to protect the unborn.

She spent several years living on Prince Edward Island in Canada for ministry purposes, and, while there, volunteered at a local pregnancy center. She is no stranger to taking a stand for life by walking for life in her previous hometown and marching for life in DC.

When she’s not at CNP, you might find Rachel occasionally working as a wedding planner but most certainly out enjoying life. She and her husband Bobby love traveling (she’s visited 43 out of 50 states so far), being outdoors, game nights, movies, mini golf, bowling, singing, and so much more!

So drop by sometime, say hey to our newest team member, and welcome her to the CNP Family!

February 19, 2024

Giving Tuesday 2023

Today is the Day!

Giving Tuesday 2023

Today, on Giving Tuesday, will you join us in providing the gift of LIFE to hundreds of pre-born babies across the Peninsula?

For $70 you can provide ONE DAY of ultrasounds to a women facing unplanned pregnancies and wondering what to do next. An ultrasound opens a window to the womb where a woman can see her baby for the first time – where she can see her baby’s heart beating and body wiggling around.

An ultrasound shows that what she tries to hide away in her mind, that her baby isn’t real yet, is false. An ultrasound shows her that there is LIFE growing inside of her womb. 

A 2020 study from Care Net National states that 75% of the women they polled considering abortion chose LIFE after seeing an ultrasound. 

For $70, you could help FIVE women see the truth!

Will you join us by providing a day (or more) of ultrasounds and providing the women we serve with the help and hope they need to choose LIFE

Thank you for joining us in the fight for life on the Peninsula!

Tuesday, November 28, 2023

Save the Date: Giving Tuesday 2023

Giving Tuesday 2023 Care Net Peninsula
Giving Tuesday 2023 Care Net Peninsula

Save the Date: 

Giving Tuesday 2023

As we prepare for Thanksgiving, we want to express our deepest gratitude for your unwavering support of Care Net Peninsula. Your generosity and dedication to serve moms and save babies across our community allow us to provide hundreds of local women each year with the help and hope they need to choose LIFE for their babies. 

This Giving Tuesday, we invite you to join us in taking a stand for life by giving a life-saving gift by providing ONE DAY of ultrasounds to our clinic to serve the women wondering what to do next when facing an unplanned pregnancy.

$70

That is the cost of five ultrasounds – five opportunities to glimpse into the womb where a woman and her partner can see their pre-born baby for the first time!!

So mark your calendars for Tuesday, November 28th, and together, we can continue to provide FREE ultrasounds to women when they need them most!

Why is an ultrasound so important? A 2020 study revealed that 75% of the women considering abortion choose life after viewing an ultrasound. 

Tuesday, November 21, 2023

Finding Help and Hope In The Arms of the CNP Family

Finding Help & Hope In the Arms of the Care Net Peninsula Family

When I think about courage, my instinct is to conjure up images of heroes like William Wallace or Rocky Balboa. But is there a clearer picture of courage than women like GaBria, who chose life for her baby despite incredibly difficult circumstances?
 
Our clients often face pressure to abort from the father, their parents, their friends, the culture, and even themselves. But God, in his goodness and mercy, gives some the unbelievable courage to stand against it all and choose life for their baby.
 
In this context, our role (yours and mine) is to equip these heroes for what lies ahead. At the clinic, we do this in many ways:         
• Options Counseling      
• Confirmation Ultrasounds      
• Pregnancy Tests      
• STI Tests      
• Parenting Support      
• Spiritual Mentorship      
• Post-Abortion Support
When a client chooses life, we stand ready to help her navigate the path forward. For GaBria, we were thrilled to walk with her through her pregnancy and to meet her beautiful son Ai’Luan. But her courageous spirit didn’t stop there. In May, at our Walk4Life, she walked onto a stage, baby in tow, and shared with 1,200 people about her experience with our ministry.Please pray that all our clients would have courage like GaBria. And that we serve and equip every woman God sends our way.       
For Life,
Executive Director
OVERWHELMED. FRANTIC. DISBELIEF.
Life was challenging for 24-year-oldGaBria. Raising a one-year-old daughter while living with her mother was not the life she planned. Recently recovering from a car accident and in the process of trying to get her own apartment, life was hard enough. Adding another child into her already shaky world would be too much to handle. “When I looked at that positive pregnancy test, I was overwhelmed, frantic, and in complete disbelief.” Abortion was the only way GaBria saw out of this situation.”
A SAFE PLACE TO PROCESS
GaBria found Alcove Health online and made an appointment. “I made the appointment thinking of and wanting to talk about abortion.” At Alcove, GaBria found a safe place to process her feelings surrounding her pregnancy – information about abortion and her concerns about raising multiple children as a single mother.
At Alcove, GaBria encountered much more than a listening ear. She received resources and partners that couple help her if she chose to carry her baby. From parenting classes to help with material needs, GaBria grasped onto hope as she considered options she never knew she had. “I decided I could do this, and I was going to have my son.”
Beyond practical resources, GaBria encountered a caring team that walked with her throughout her pregnancy. She experienced the love of God through the warmth and affirmation she received from her client advocate, Sylvia.  “That day I made the decision to carry my baby, I told Sylvia that I would not be doing this alone. That she would be going with me through the whole pregnancy.” And she did!
Nurse Meg also served on GaBria’s care team, providing her with prenatal education, diagnostic testing, and an ultrasound.  “The whole team was so kind. Meg made me laugh and feel so comfortable, she knew so much about ultrasounds. It made such a difference.”
JUST WHAT I NEEDED
GaBria found the support she needed in the Alcove team.  “From the smiling face of Candra at the front desk to advocate Jenn, Alcove was just what I needed. I received support, answers to my questions, education, and, most of all, non-judgemental kindness. The parenting classes helped me prepare for my little man while having a 1-year-old daughter, and I received lots of practical baby items too.”
And she continued,  “My pregnancy was not easy. My car broke down, there were medical concerns about my baby’s development, and when I needed someone to talk to, I knew I had someone to turn to for advice and direction. Sometimes it was simply knowing someone was praying for me. Other times it was a kind word or a resource I could turn to for help. I knew I was not alone, and I had somewhere to turn.”
AND THE 2 ARE NOW 3
Born five weeks early at 4 pounds 11 ounces, baby Ai’Luan arrived healthy into the arms of a family that is so grateful for his life. Every day is not always easy for GaBria, but it is joyful.  “Today, I am in my own home with both of my children, my life is more positive, and I have so much support. I am thankful to Alcove for the love, kindness, resources, and practical help that helped make it all possible.”
GaBria continues to receive support and material needs from her Alcove family. What a joy it is that God uses us to serve GaBria and these precious little ones.
Help women like GaBria by make a gift today!

Friday, August 11, 2023

Meet Benjamin Watson – Our 2023 Peninsula4Life Dinner Guest Speaker

Meet Benjamin Watson

Care Net Peninsula's 2023 Peninsula4Life Guest Speaker

Benjamin Watson is a former NFL tight end, as well as a writer, a speaker, and an activist. He is a college football studio analyst with the SEC Network, and he serves as VP of strategic relationships with the Human Coalition, one of the largest pro-life and pro-woman organizations in the country. Along with his wife, Kirsten, he is the founder of The Watson 7 Foundation, a nonprofit focused on strengthening families. They live in Georgia with their seven children. For more information, visit thewatsonseven.com

Wednesday, August 9, 2023

Serving Moms and Saving Babies in a POST-ROE WORLD

Serving Moms and Saving Babies

In A Post-Roe World

2022 Impact Report

Remember the end of a world in Super Mario? You’d defeat Bowser only to find Toad saying “Thank you Mario, but our princess is in another castle.” That’s a bit like the pregnancy center movement right now.

On June 24th, 2022, Roe was aborted! This was great news. The Dobbs decision meant the abortion question would be answered at the state level. In many states, thousands of babies have been saved as a result. But not here in Virginia. In fact, our state as a “purple state” has caused national players on both sides of this issue to label Virginia as a battleground state in post-Roe America. On to the next castle we go.

For Care Net Peninsula, our mission has not changed. We’re doing everything we can to save babies from abortion by caring for pregnant women in crisis. We served nearly 900 clients in 2022. To handle this growth, we purchased 11101 Warwick Boulevard, the future home of our ministry. We’re also constantly adapting to changes in the abortion pill market and trying to stay ahead of Google’s algorithm that filters us out of certain searches now.

Thank you so much for partnering with us in 2022, and please keep the women and babies we serve in your prayers. 

Who Is The Abortion Minded Woman

She could be anyone! Your sister, friend, maybe even the woman sitting next to you in church. It’s easy, in our culture, to believe that abortion is the only way out of an unplanned pregnancy.

Unplanned Pregnancies and Abortions

3,016 unplanned pregnancies
1,435 abortions

*Most recent data available is 2021

According to the Virginia Department of Health, 22% of preborn babies on the Peninsula are aborted. In reality, it’s even higher! That’s because Virginia, like most states, only tracks facility-based abortions. Online abortion companies are mailing abortion pills (for abortions up to 11 weeks) to local women every day without accountability. These companies are strategically located in states that do not track abortion stats, so we have no way of knowing how many babies they’re killing in our community. 

Your Impact in 2022

648

Pregnancy Tests

585

Ultrasounds

199

STI Tests

101

Church Mentors

236

Bundles4Babies

Ashley, a client you served, and her daughter Ani, visiting Karen, a Client Advocate, and the clinic team.

Casey's Story

“IT FELT LIKE A CRUEL JOKE” – Casey saw those two pink lines and was once again overwhelmed with grief and bitterness.

Casey was married with two children, but then had two unplanned pregnancies. Both ended in abortion. Her decisions to abort weighed heavy on her heart in ways she hadn’t fully processed. And yet, here she was, pregnant again. These same lies from before were starting to take over. Would this pregnancy end the same way?

After my second abortion, I was left feeling empty and unloved. My life was becoming a train wreck that caught fire and exploded. I struggled with anxiety and depression and allowed the wrong people into my life. I even convinced myself that my husband didn’t love me anymore, so I left. I turned to drugs and alcohol to escape from the pain.

“One night, blinded and overwhelmed by grief, I was ready to end it all. If my daughter had not walked out to me when she did, snapping me back to reality, my children would have woken up and found me dead in the morning.”

It was only two weeks after this incident when those two pink lines appeared. Casey was working on mending her marriage and family, but she feared a new baby would hurt their progress. Then, she began to experience early pregnancy complications that reminded her vividly of her past abortion decisions and how quickly this could all be over with. But could she live with that decision for this a third time? Casey didn’t want to let another child down, so she made a call to Alcove Health. 

“It wasn’t my first time at Alcove, but this time it was different. There was no hiding. They met me with open arms, and I felt like they genuinely wanted to help me. I met with Sylvia and Shantelle, who understood my situation and talked to me without judgment or ridicule. They gave me hope things would work out.”

“In a time where I felt so alone, scared, and just overwhelmingly sad, Alcove was a bright light of hope.”

“Alcove provided me programs, like LEAP (their parenting program) to help me get started. They connected me with a mentor group that helped keep me grounded and growing in The Word. I returned to my faith, sobered up, and gave birth to a beautiful baby girl. I will never forget that moment 6 months later when I was baptized with my children, family, and nebworn daughter there to witness.”

God is doing awesome work in Casey’s life . . . and you’re part of her story! Your support provides a safe place for women like Casey to process and learn the truth about abortion. And in a post-Roe world, the truth is more important than ever. For Casey, that meant her daughter was saved from a physical death and she herself from a spiritual death and into a new life with Christ – one that frees her of the guilt, shame, and regret she felt, and helps heal the wounds she carries. 

Client Story Written By Amanda Franks

We're Building a Permanent Space to Serve Local Moms

In June 2022, we bought 11101 Warwick Boulevard. You gave over and above your regular giving to turn this 1970’s office building into the future home of our ministry. We’re at nearly 100% of our $600,000 Capitol Campaign goal and we hope to start construction in April 2023.

The care net team

Board of Directors

Garrett Maroon

Chair

Wayne Holcomb, Esq

Vice-Chair

Pastor Shaun Brown

Secretary

Dyan Gurley

Board Member

Teresa Chalsma

Board Member

Pastor Riley Halliday

Board Member

Carrie Cecil

Board Member

Staff memberS

Ryan Holloway

Executive Director

Dr. Jerrid Neeley, D.O.

Medical Director

Shantelle Giles

Clinic Director

Anne Sych

Director of Development

Linda Mesibov

Operations Manager

Amanda Franks

Marketing Manager

Kinta Dye, RN, BSN

Nurse Manager

Meg Williams, RN, BSN

Nurse Manager

Karla Laskowski, RN, BSN

Nurse

Patty Shuster, RN

Nurse

Sherri Pigue

Client Relations Manager

Katelyn Carpenter

Development Coordinator

Sylvia Pottle

Advocacy Manager

Karen Reynolds

Client Advocate

Jenn Nicholson

Client Advocate

Candra Smith

Clinic Admin Assistant

Joyce Stackhouse

Administrative Assistant

Friday, May 5, 2023

Meet Our New Development Coordinator

Meet Our New Development Coordinator

Katelyn Carpenter

Hey Care New Family – We are excited to introduce you to our newest team member, Katelyn Carpenter. Katelyn joins us as our Development Coordinator, and she is someone you will get very used to seeing and talking to as the year goes on.

As the Development Coordinator, Katelyn will juggle the logistics of our Walk4Life, Peninsula4Life Dinner, and Bottles4Life Campaigns. If January was any indication of how she’ll do at this job, the ministry and you all are in great hands!!

Katelyn joined our team in January after relocating to the area last year. Why the move? Because she got married! She tied the knot in 2022 to Pastor Matthew, the Associate Pastor at Reformation Christian Fellowship. Together they enjoy exploring new places and hiking.

So while Katelyn may be new to Care Net Peninsula, she is no stranger to pregnancy centers and ministry work. She has served in ministry for about ten years and holds a Bachelor’s in Next Generation Ministries (Children’s Ministry) from Liberty University.

An interesting fact about Katelyn that plays a role in her passion for protecting the unborn, she’s a quintuplet! Even though they knew the dangers and risks that came with the pregnancy, her parents chose life for her and her four siblings.

We know Katelyn is just as excited as we are to be part of this family, and we’re looking forward to how God will use her to serve moms and save babies in our community.

February 8, 2023