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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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Meet Our New Development Coordinator

February 8, 2023

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.

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Critical Year-End Ministry Update

December 5, 2022

Tragically, 15 children in Virginia died from Covid-19. But since March 2020, 300 times that number of babies died from abortion . . . on the Peninsula. That’s over 4,000 preborn lives taken from our community in less than 3 years. But it would have been 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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Meet Our New Development Coordinator

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.

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Have You Met Maggie?

Have You Met Maggie?

Hey Friends, meet Maggie McNeely! She is a face you will get very acquainted with and we are THRILLED to finally introduce you to her if you haven’t had the chance to meet her yet.

Maggie has been a long time friend of the ministry and a little over a year ago started volunteering as a Client Intake Volunteer. While serving in the clinic she noticed God was at work in her heart and put a desire there to want to do more and minister to the women and families on the Peninsula. So, when the Community Relations Manager position opened up in December she knew that was a HUGE answer to her prayer about what was next.

Since graduating from Christopher Newport University in 2013, Maggie has worked in campus ministry with Cru for the last 6 years, and even though her time with them has come to an end, she is still looking forward to being able to mentor to student women while developing and nourishing new relationships with Care Net friends in the community. If you’re looking for her in her free time, you can catch her taking long walks to the river with her pup, Willow, and playing guitar and volleyball every chance she gets. (We haven’t figured out if she can do both at the same time).

We know she is just as excited as we are to have her join our family and she is eager to get out there and meet you and bring our community together to help serve moms and save babies.

Amanda Franks, Marketing Director

February 6, 2020

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Meet Our New Development Coordinator

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.

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Welcome Back, Sheri!

Welcome Back, Sheri!

Meet our new(ish) Client Advocate, Sheri Coker!

We first met Sheri back in 2015 when she began volunteering with us doing client intake. She was later trained as a Client Advocate. In 2017 Sheri began volunteering at a local safe house for traffick victims where she led Bible studies and helped women with financial literacy. Aside from her volunteer work, she has spent most of the past twenty years homeschooling her three daughters.

Prior to raising her girls and ministering to women, Sheri was employed as a financial analyst. She has been married to John for 26 years. They enjoy a weekly movie and ice cream date night and the occasional 5K to 10K race. Sheri is excited to be engaged in Kingdom work and the daily opportunities to see the love and compassion of Christ extended to women in need.

We’re excited to have Sheri here daily and can’t wait to see how God uses her in our ministry. Please be in prayer for her as she serves the moms who come to our clinic.

Amanda Franks, Marketing Director

January 30, 2020

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Meet Our New Development Coordinator

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.

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In Memory of Dr. Hellman

In Memory Of Dr. Hellman

Dr. Barry Hellman went home to be with the Lord on Saturday, December 28th. He left a legacy of kindness and generosity with his family, colleagues and the local community. Barry served on the board of Care Net Peninsula since 2017 and began his term as the Board Chair in April 2019. Barry was passionate and dedicated to the work of Care Net to provide the help and hope local moms need to choose life for their babies.

To make a gift in honor of Barry click below and select “Memorial Gift” fund. We will notify Barry’s family for each gift made in his honor.

Memorial Gift

Ryan Holloway, Executive Director

January 3, 2020

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Meet Our New Development Coordinator

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.

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Board of Directors Update

Board of Directors Update

God’s hand is truly at work in our ministry, and one way that is evident is in how he has grown our Board of Directors over the last few months. We are pleased to introduce you to one of our newest members, Heatherly Cabral. Heatherly is a native of Hampton Roads and is extremely active in local residential, commercial, and land development real estate in the community. A graduate of Oral Roberts University, she is now the Vice President and Managing Broker for Mid-Atlantic Residential and owner of Cornerstone Custom Homes. Heatherly’s mission is to live with her hands and heart to allow the Lord to use her as He will for His purpose and Kingdom, and we’re so thankful He led her to Care Net Peninsula.

Care Net Peninsula Board of Directors:

    • Barry Hellman, Jr., MD, President
    • Kathy O’Connell, MD, Vice President
    • Garrett Maroon, Secretary
    • Bobbie Lewis, Board Member
    • James Temple, Board Member
    • Heatherly Cabral, Board Member
    • Wayne Holcomb, Board Member

Amanda Franks, Marketing Director

September 26, 2019

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Meet Our New Development Coordinator

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.

Read More »
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Meet Our Girl Steph!

Meet Our Girl Steph!

We thought it was about time we introduce you to our newest Client Advocate, Stephanie Meitz. She comes from a background in education and has served in her local congregation in several capacities for over 24 years. She is married to Joel, has 2 daughters, and loves her rescue kitties. Stephanie enjoys being a part of a team that exemplifies God’s amazing love and desire for the well-being of the women on the Peninsula.

We love having Stephanie on our team and are thankful for the work she has been doing to help serve moms and save babies on the Peninsula. She is truly a blessing to every client she meets.

Amanda Franks, Marketing Director

July 22, 2019

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Meet Our New Development Coordinator

February 8, 2023

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.

Read More »

Critical Year-End Ministry Update

December 5, 2022

Tragically, 15 children in Virginia died from Covid-19. But since March 2020, 300 times that number of babies died from abortion . . . on the Peninsula. That’s over 4,000 preborn lives taken from our community in less than 3 years. But it would have been more.

Read More »
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Defenders4Life: Katherine Parker

Defenders4Life: Katherine

Abortion is in the news nearly every day. In 2016 it escalated with videos that exposed corrupt practices taking place at Planned Parenthood. Then earlier this year, Virginia’s governor made controversial statements supporting late-term abortion. Now several states have passed new abortion laws in the past 6 months, with more states on the way. As both sides battle on legal and cultural fronts, it all begs the question “What do I do about it?”

I recently sat down with Katherine Parker, a local realtor, mother of 4, and long-time voice for the unborn on the Peninsula, to ask her about this question.
Ryan Holloway,
Executive Director, Care Net Peninsula

Do you follow abortion in the news? I follow to stay informed, but I don’t immerse myself in it and get completely bogged down. It’s all very sad and it’s heartbreaking, but there is hope that God will bring good from it.

With 24/7 news & social media, it’s easy to grow numb to it all. how do you take positive steps to make an impact on an issue that’s so important to you? I would say my biggest ministry is to my own family. As my kids get older, and new laws are passed, I’m talking to them about it and pouring into them so they can see the light and truth in this issue. That’s also why we’re involved, as a family, in Care Net Peninsula. That’s why I do things like the Walk4Life with them.

Abortion advocates accuse pro-lifers of only caring about politics and not the lives of mothers and their children. Are they right? I think they might be right to an extent, but it’s not the norm. And that’s why we need to rally around women in our community who are struggling with an unplanned pregnancy. Care Net sets the standard for this and our local churches can learn a lot from the practical ways you help. These mothers can come in and receive maternity clothes, diapers, baby clothes, and have other needs met, and the staff continues to follow up with them long after the babies are born. These women are living the reality that they are loved and there’s a place that they can go for help, comfort, and encouragement on this difficult road.

When the New York abortion laws were passed, people called to ask you what to do about it. what did you tell them?  Instantly my answer was Care Net. Care Net does such a good job of stripping the politics away and focuses on people. I think that’s the beauty of it. Care Net pours into these men, women, and babies and shows them, unconditional love. Practically, you can be a life defender by giving monthly to Care Net Peninsula. Plus you can go to the banquet or the Walk4Life. You can help get your church involved.

Ready to take action? Give online today.

Ryan Holloway, Executive Director

July 19, 2019

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Meet Our New Development Coordinator

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.

Read More »
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Board of Directors Update

Board of Director's Update

At Care Net Peninsula, we are beyond grateful for the selfless men and women who make up our Board of Directors. They represent various groups and professions in our community and bring a variety of knowledge and talent to the leadership of this ministry. As we enter this next season, we have had to say goodbye to two long-serving members, Mark Lee (President) and Rob Johnson, Esq. (Treasurer). Both men faithfully served on our board for multiple years and terms, and helped grow Care Net Peninsula to what you see today. We are sad their time on our Board has come to an end, but we are thankful for the years they labored alongside us to help bring practical help and hope in Jesus to women on the Peninsula.

We look forward to the new Board of Directors members God will bring our way and we are pleased to introduce you to one of them, Garrett Maroon. Garrett is the leader of a local real estate team, The Maroon Group, and the CEO of LaunchPad Business Coaching. He graduated from Christopher Newport University and has been a long-time partner with the ministry. He is married to his better half, Rachel, and they have two young children. He and his family are active members of Reformation Christian Fellowship in Newport News. Garrett joined the board because he believes there has never been a more important time to stand up and fight for life!

Picture Above: Garrett and his family

Care Net Peninsula Board of Directors:

    • Barry Hellman, Jr., MD, President
    • Kathy O’Connell, MD, Vice President
    • Garrett Maroon, Secretary
    • Bobbie Lewis, Board Member
    • James Temple, Board Member

Amanda Franks, Marketing Director

June 10, 2019

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Meet Our New Development Coordinator

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.

Read More »
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Rena’s Story

Rena's Story

I remember well the night I decided to tell my mom my big secret. We had an hour car ride ahead of us and I was determined to finally spill the hurt that had been tearing my heart apart for five years. I spent the whole hour re-positioning (and sweating profusely) trying to form the words on my mouth.

I HAD AN ABORTION

I got pregnant. It was not planned. I was afraid and I believed the lie that abortion was a quick fix and would be the answer to all my problems. I would be able to go on living my life, but I was deceived. My life quickly began to spiral. I was depressed and self-destructive and filled with shame. I continued to believe the lies: “You don’t have a right to be sad. You chose this. You are alone. People would reject you if they knew what you did. You are unworthy of God’s forgiveness.”

I waited until we were in the driveway and I still couldn’t form the words. In God’s mercy, my mom just knew and she comforted me and told me that she loved me. A few days later, she referred me to a Bible study that she knew for women who had experienced the trauma of abortion. I felt like I had been drowning for so long and this was my precious gulp of fresh air.

Surrendering the Secret shattered the lies that had imprisoned my heart for so long. I was not alone. I found a group of women who understood what I was going through, who had no place of judgment or condemnation. I found a place where I could share my story. I was granted the space to be sad, where I could grieve my tremendous loss. Most importantly, I met with God through His Word and like a tender parent, He comforted me and told me that He loved me, unabashedly loved me.

Since then, I married a godly man and have since had beautiful babies. I have shared my story with women in my church about complete freedom in Christ. I have had the opportunity to lead this incredible study at Care Net with the gift of meeting other women whose lives are transformed by this study. I have shared my story with strangers who are hurting…the same story that couldn’t even form on my lips now flows shamelessly because of this recovery group.

For my fellow sisters who have experienced abortion, I know your heartache. I urge you: be a part of this Bible study. Let God’s light flood into those dark hidden places. “His light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it” Believe the truth: You are loved. You are forgiven. You are not alone.

April 15, 2019

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Mind-Changed

January 22, 2021

Occasionally after a client comes in for an appointment, we ask if she’d consider filling out a testimony survey. Often these are the “mind-changed” clients. Women who came to see us who were planning on having an abortion, but after talking with an advocate, chose life for their baby.

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The Provision of Time

November 21, 2020

As a staff, we are so grateful for the provision of time that our donors give us to make space and sit down and talk with women. For this woman, this literally allowed us to meet with the woman again before she went to the abortion clinic.

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Care Net Peninsula is a 501(c)3 non-profit. We provide the help and hope local women need to choose life for their baby.

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