Bringing Hope To The Women We Serve

Bringing Hope to the Women We Serve

For four years after college, I was a missionary in the Dominican Republic. It was life-changing, and there are still days I’m convinced the mountains of the DR are my most natural habitat.

The experience informed how I think about culture, religion, and politics: those problems every society faces that I try to solve in my head on a morning run.

In the DR, as in most of Latin America and the Caribbean, abortion is illegal and culturally unacceptable. Nothing grieves my heart more than when immigrants feel emboldened by our culture of death to kill their own children. Tragically, this is happening more often. We will serve twice as many Hispanic women considering abortion this year than any previous year.

The great news is that God has gifted our team with multiple bilingual staff and volunteers and our Hispanic clients are 40% more likely than our average client to change their mind and choose life for their baby.

Please pray with me that we would stop exporting our abortion views to other cultures. Pray that our team would be well-equipped to handle clients from any background or language. As always, thank you for your partnership with our ministry.

For Life,
Executive Director
2024 Care Net Peninsula Summer Newsletter - Camela's Story

“God has been extremely good to me” – Camela told her church family at World Outreach Worship Center. She had mustered up the courage to share her testimony on Sanctity of Human Life Sunday.

“When I arrived in the U.S. from Jamaica, I said, ‘Okay, this is a whole new life!’ I started working and soon had the opportunity to go back for my two children I had to leave behind. While there, I married my daughter’s father, but he couldn’t return with us. While transitioning back to life in the U.S., now with two kids, I realized – I was pregnant.

Camela’s reaction to the news was a plea to God –

“The thought of abortion came to me, so I went online looking for help. I found Alcove Health and said, ‘Wow! It’s a free clinic!’ and I made an appointment. Upon arriving at my appointment, I realized it was a Christian clinic, and right then and there, I said, ‘Oh, this is not going to work for me.’ But I still went in.

God was bringing Camela the help and hope she needed, and at that moment, the Holy Spirit was working in her heart to combat the lies in her head about why it wouldn’t work to bring this new life into her life.

“When I met with Nurse Kinta, I told her what I wanted to do. She hugged me and said, ‘No, you’re not going to do that’. Then, on the ultrasound screen, she showed me my little baby. And I said to myself, ‘This is a life inside of me. God, I can’t do it.’

I had given up everything when I found out I was pregnant; I had given up on myself. Care Net Peninsula came into my life, and they brought my hope back. They brought me a mentor, and this is where my spiritual mother came into my life”.

That spiritual mother was Pastor Terrie Council, of WOWC, whom Camela met through our Spiritual Mentorship Program.

“She has been a tower of strength for me and was only supposed to be with me for six weeks. But here we are, almost a year later, as she holds my precious little angel. I was raised in a Godly home by a Pastor and teacher; I knew God. But sometimes, we lose our way. This tremendous woman of God came into my life and mentored me, shared with me, and guided me, never letting me make excuses for myself.

God showed Pastor Terrie something in me that I didn’t even see in myself. She has been there for me when I needed it most and is like a mom to me. God is good. I’ll never leave, and I’ll always be in his sanctuary.”

Because of your support and partnership, we can meet our clients’ physical, mental, and spiritual needs. When a woman comes to us about her unplanned pregnancy, she is presented with an opportunity during that visit to connect with a local Christian woman. This mentor steps into her life and walks alongside her spiritually, showing how great our God is, even in the most challenging of seasons.

Make a Gift Today to Serve Women Like Camela

Olympians Are Not The Only Ones Setting Records

An update from Care Net Peninsula in Newport News, Virginia (Va) - Olympians aren't the only ones setting records

Olympians are not the only ones setting records

Summer doesn’t take a break from unplanned pregnancies and neither do we here at Care Net Peninsula. Our clinic is busier than ever before. In fact, we served an all-time record number of women in just the first 7 months of this year (657 to be exact)! We are so grateful to be able to bring lifesaving help and hope to women facing an unplanned pregnancy. 

Many of the women who come through our doors are not making their decision alone. She is often faced with family members and friends counseling her to have an abortion regardless of her desire to carry her baby to birth. As she examines her options, she may be risking many relationships if she chooses life – perhaps even with the father. 

This was the case of a brave woman we served last week who went against culture AND family coercion to choose life for her baby.

We understand that it’s complicated, but we are unshakable in our stand for LIFE. We are so proud of this woman and the many women who choose LIFE regardless of the pressure around her!

So when you pray for this ministry and the women we serve, please also remember to pray for the families and friends who are part of the decision. Pray that they will have hearts towards life; for the mom and for the baby. Your prayers are powerful and are making a difference.

Friday, August 9, 2024

Praise and Prayers: A look at two years since the overturning of Roe v. Wade 

Overturning Roe v. Wade - Two Years Later - Care Net Peninsula - Newport News, Virginia (VA)
Overturning Roe v. Wade - Two Years Later - Care Net Peninsula - Newport News, Virginia (VA)

Praise and Prayers:

A look at two years since the overturning of Roe v. Wade

Today marks two years since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, ending the constitutional right to abortion. The National Right to Life estimates that up to 89,000 lives have been saved due to this ruling (1). Praise the Lord! And while we are grateful for each of these precious lives saved, we cannot relax in our fight for life.

Despite the favorable Supreme Court ruling, abortion is on the rise.  

In 2023, the US recorded the highest number of abortions in over a decade (2). Nationally, the abortion pill, which in 2020 accounted for 53% of abortions, increased last year to 63% of abortions (3). This means that each year hundreds of thousands of women are having their abortions at home. Abortions with no medical oversight, and many with only a tele-health consultation. 

Here in Virginia where abortion remains legal until the third trimester, the news is not better. In addition to the swell in abortion pill use, clinic-provided abortions increased 85% since 2020. Last year alone, that accounted for 34,700 medical abortions in our state (4). 

BUT THERE IS GOOD NEWS!

Because of your support we are here to give life-saving help and hope to women experiencing an unplanned pregnancy. Already this year we have seen a record number of women in our new clinic. Women arrive feeling scared and alone leave with hope and resources to support them in choosing life for their unborn baby. 

Together We Praise and Pray:

So, as we celebrate the anniversary of this life-saving ruling and the lives that have been saved as a result, let us continue to pray. 

  • Pray for life-giving legislation on a federal and state level.
  • Pray for Care Net Peninsula, and other pregnancy centers who are on the frontlines giving help and hope to women in crisis
  • Pray that women will find us and choose life before they default to an abortion.

As always, we invite you to visit our new center to meet our team and see this life-giving work first-hand. Feel free to give us a call at 757-591-0303 or email me, Anne, at anne@cnpeninsula.org.

Monday, June 24, 2024

Local Business Leader Micah Miller to Chair Peninsula4Life Benefit Dinner​

Local Business Leader Micah Miller Named Chairperson for CNP's Peninsula4Life Benefit Dinner

Local businessman Micah Miller to serve as chairperson at this year’s annual Peninsula4Life Benefit Dinner taking place on October 11th at the Hampton Roads Convention Center.

Newport News, VA – This October 11th over 900 guests will gather at the Hampton Roads Convention Center in Hampton, Virginia for the 38th annual Peninsula4Life Dinner 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.

“Having witnessed the invaluable work of Care Net Peninsula firsthand, I am honored to chair this year’s Peninsula4Life Benefit Dinner,” said Miller. “The clinic serves as a beacon of hope for women facing unplanned pregnancies, and I am privileged to play a role in furthering its mission.”

The keynote speaker for the evening will be New York Times best-selling author, Lee Strobel.  For more information attending the dinner or to donate online, please visit peninsula4life.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.

Friday, June 21, 2024

Colleen Holcomb to Chair Care Net Peninsula’s 37th Annual Peninsula4Life Benefit Dinner

Colleen Holcomb to Chair Care Net Peninsula's 37th Annual Peninsula4Life Benefit Dinner

Local attorney Colleen Holcomb to serve as chairperson at this year’s annual Peninsula4Life Benefit Dinner taking place on October 20th at the Hampton Roads Convention Center.

Newport News, VA – This October 20th, more than 700 guests will gather at the Hampton Roads Convention Center in Hampton, Virginia, for the 37th annual Peninsula4Life Dinner 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 2023 banquet will be chaired by Colleen Holcomb, a partner at Holcomb Law, P.C. Colleen’s passion for the unborn has moved her to serve in multiple leadership roles with Care Net Peninsula and as the Executive Director of the Republican National Coalition for Life.

Coretta Scott King said that ‘the greatness of a community is most accurately measured by the compassionate actions of its members.’ The Peninsula4Life Banquet has become a cherished tradition for the Peninsula community because it reflects that greatness,” said Holcomb. “The Care Net Peninsula team is serving on the frontlines, bringing hope and practical care to women facing crisis pregnancies. This banquet enables the community to share in and celebrate this vital work.”

The keynote speaker for the evening will be former NFL tight end Benjamin Watson of The Watson Seven. For more information or to donate online, please visit peninsula4life.org.

About Care Net Peninsula: Care Net Peninsula, founded in 1986 as Peninsula Crisis Pregnancy Center, is a 501(c)3 non-profit 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.

Tuesday, June 27, 2023

Leesa Conley to Chair Care Net Peninsula’s 37th Annual Walk4Life

LEESA CONLEY TO CHAIR CARE NET PENINSULA’S 37TH ANNUAL WALK4LIFE

Local businesswoman Leesa Conley is to serve as chair at this year’s annual Walk4Life Community Event on May 13, 2023, at Newport News Park.

Newport News, VA – This May 13th over 1,000 people will gather at Newport News Park for the 37th 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 2023 Walk will be chaired by local businesswoman Leesa Conley, Retirement Services Officer at Old Point Wealth Management. Leesa’s passion for the unborn, devoted history with Care Net Peninsula, 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. I am honored to be able to carry on the legacy and chair the 2023 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, 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.

February 9, 2023

Tami Dierberger to Chair Care Net Peninsula’s 36th Annual Peninsula4Life Benefit Dinner

2022 Peninsula4Life Dinner Chair Tami Dierberger
2022 Peninsula4Life Dinner Chair Tami Dierberger

Tami Dierberger to Chair Care Net Peninsula's 36th Annual Peninsula4Life Benefit Dinner

Local business owner, Tami Dierberger, to serve as Chairwoman at this year’s annual Peninsula4Life Benefit Dinner. The dinner will take place on October 20th at the Hampton Roads Convention Center in Hampton, Virginia.

Newport News, VA – This October 20th, over 600 guests will gather at the Hampton Roads Convention Center in Hampton, VA, for the 36th annual Peninsula4Life Dinner benefitting Alcove Health, the Peninsula’s only no-cost women’s pregnancy health center. This yearly event brings together local businesses, churches, and individuals to raise awareness and funds for the pregnancy clinic’s medical services and resources.

The 2022 dinner is to be chaired by local businesswoman Tami Dierberger, owner and marketing specialist of Donatos Pizza in Newport News, VA. Tami’s passion for women and the unborn, deep community relationships, and history with the Care Net Peninsula make her the ideal chairperson for this inspirational event.

“I am humbled to Chair the 2022 Care Net Peninsula4Life Dinner and to work alongside a team of incredible individuals that share a passion for life”, says Tami. “I witnessed the life-changing impact Care Net Peninsula had on a young woman that is very dear to me, strengthening my desire to be involved. This annual dinner is extremely important as it helps provide the opportunity for Care Net Peninsula to reach many women right here on the Peninsula, and that excites me!” 

The keynote speaker for the evening will be New York Times best-selling author and radio host Eric Metaxas. For more information or to donate online, please visit peninsula4life.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-cost services to women experiencing an unplanned pregnancy. In addition, Care Net Peninsula operates a medical clinic in Newport News, offering options counseling, ultrasounds, parenting support, and more.

    • Contact: Anne Sych, Director of Development
    • Phone: 757-591-0303
    • Email: anne@cnpeninsula.org
    • Website: cnpeninsula.org

June 14, 2022

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.

February 9, 2022

Local Single Mom Awarded University Scholarship

Local Single Mom Awarded University Scholarship

Newport News Resident Nominated by Care Net Peninsula

NEWPORT NEWS, VA – Tiffany Cusick received a four-year, full-tuition scholarship to Regent University during an emotional awards ceremony at the Care Net National Conference in San Antonio, TX on August 26, 2021. Cusick, 22, plans to study theology and Christian Ministry, beginning in the Fall of 2022.

“When I first went to Care Net I was afraid and unsure,” Cusick remembers from her early visits to Care Net Peninsula. “I am super thankful to have found Care Net.”

Cusick expressed gratitude for the scholarship and the free pregnancy-related services she received through Care Net Peninsula, thanking the women on staff: “Their confidence in me has really given me the courage to step out in faith and pursue this and I do believe the Lord has put those women, along with this opportunity, in my life.”

Originally from Gloucester, MA, Cusick moved to Newport News as a young teen. She graduated from Woodside High School in 2016. Now a mom to a 2-month baby girl, Cusick hopes to work in ministry, serving women and children, upon completion of her college degree.

Erin Forsythe, Care Net’s Vice President of Strategic Programs, and Kathleen Patterson, Director of the Doctorate of Strategic Leadership Program at Regent University and Care Net board member, presented the scholarship to Cusick on August 26th in front of pregnancy center leaders from across North America. She is the 10th client of a Care Net affiliated pregnancy center to receive the scholarship from Regent.

Sheri Coker, Advocacy Manager with Care Net Peninsula, nominated Cusick for the scholarship, stating, “In a culture where many view themselves as victims in their circumstances, Tiffany stands out. She works hard without complaining.”

“We know that as a single mom this is a rare opportunity for her to gain the academic knowledge to succeed in both business and ministry,” Coker adds. “We also believe it would set an example for her daughter, that you can accomplish great things in life when you set your mind to it. We believe Tiffany will change the world around her.”

During Cusick’s pregnancy, she experienced compassion, help, and hope at Care Net Peninsula, where she received a free pregnancy test and ultrasound, ongoing consultations with client advocates and nurses, parenting classes, and more. “These women have become my friends,” Cusick said in her application, “They have really been just such a positive impact on me. And even now I know that if I needed something I could call and they would do everything in their power to help me.”

Since opening in 1986, Care Net Peninsula has been the first call for thousands of local women facing unplanned pregnancies. Services include options consultations, pregnancy tests, ultrasounds, parenting support, and more. Through these services and ongoing support, pregnant women receive the help and hope they need at a time when many feel scared and alone. All of Care Net Peninsula’s services are provided at no cost, thanks to the generosity of donors in the community.

Care Net Peninsula is among more than 1,200 pregnancy centers in North America that are affiliated with Care Net. Through a competitive selection process, the Regent Scholarship has been awarded to a Care Net affiliated pregnancy center client for the last eight years. Ursula Penn, the first scholarship recipient to graduate from Regent, matriculated on May 6, 2016. Another scholarship recipient, Lizzie Burton, matriculated in May 2020.

Watch Tiffany receiving her scholarship.

Read More News Updates

Prayer and Praises – August 2021

August 2021 Prayer and Praises
August 2021 Prayer and Praises

August Prayer & Praises

An old adage says “the only thing constant is change”. While we know that to be true it’s rarely ever easy.

Perhaps this month you are in a season of change. Kids going off to school. Managing a business in an ever-changing work environment. Trying to find the boundaries in a world that are changing by the moment. We are all going through this to some extent – individually and together.

As believers, we are steadied with the knowledge that God is our firm foundation – never changing and always faithful. He keeps us so that we will not stumble. He hears our prayers and makes a way for us in any wilderness that life brings. He is an ever-present help in the darkest times.

He changes not.

So as we turn a page on the calendar and walk into this new season we walk hand-in-hand with the lover of our soul, knowing that He goes before us and will be with us every step of the way. Shalom. 

"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." - Romans 15:13

Pray that the Lord would work in the hearts of pregnant women to reach out to us when making a life-changing decision.

“May the Lord direct your hearts to the love of God and to the steadfastness of Christ.” – 2 Thessalonians 3:5

Pray that the Lord would protect our staff in mind and body and that our clinic would remain healthy and safe. 

“But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you.” – Psalm 5:11

Pray for wisdom and favor as we plan for our Peninsula4Life Fundraising Banquet.

“Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.”  – Proverbs 16:3