Newsletter Spring 2006
Board of Directors
Board Of Directors
President
Terry Ficenec
Vice President &
Spiritual Director
Fr. Stephen Gutgsell
Treasurer
Dr. Tim Mergens
Secretary
Carolyn LaGreca
Members Of The Board
Fr. Joseph Taphorn
Dr. Ralph Kramper
Susan Krause
Terri Madison
Sandra Maass
Ernie Mascarello
Mary Pat Sacco
Our Mission
We will provide support to
pregnant women to choose life for their unborn child in a
Catholic residential environment both during and after pregnancy. We will educate the woman on childcare and personal life skills to assist them to be self sufficient
Spiritual Director's Column
Easter Season
The Season of Lent is quickly coming to a close. Soon the "40 Days" will give way to Holy Week and to the "3 Days" or the Paschal Triduum. These are the most important days of the entire Church year. It is really for these days which we have been preparing the whole of the Lenten Season. These days are for the celebration of the "Passover of the Lord." It is when the People of God commemorate Christ's passing over from death to Eternal Life. On Holy Thursday, we remember it, as He instructed us, every time that we eat the Body and drink the Blood of our Savior in the Eucharist which He gave us the night before He died. We are there when they crucify our Lord, at least mystically on Good Friday, as we are invited to venerate the wood of the Cross on which hung the Savior of the world. We are called to the silence of watch at the tomb of Our Lord on Holy Saturday. And at the Easter Vigil we are summoned to bear witness to the Rising of Jesus, the Light of the World, to the New Life which He has promised to all of us. Here at the Women's Care Center of the Heartland, in many ways, we are trying to make this Paschal Mystery a reality for the women and children we serve. We do this in the way that we treat these mothers and children and allow them to find hope for their own future. May God bless all of you for helping the Women's Care Center in any way that you can to accomplish this task. May the Risen Christ shine on your hearts, your family and your homes this Easter Sunday and throughout the "50 Days" of this joyful season.
Fr. Stephen Gutgsell,
Spiritual Director
Note from Gina
Can you believe the Women’s Care Center of the Heartland has been open an entire year. I can say that we have learned a lot and feel very happy about our future and continue to thrive and create many new beginnings. We have hosted 36 women and have 5 women living in the house today. All are in very different stages and phases of their life and pregnancy. Our days are filled with prenatal classes, childbirth classes, health & wellness classes, nutritional awareness classes, school, jobs, volunteering, meal preparation, chores and yes some evening fun and down time. Favorite activities include the birthing classes, stress management roundtables hosted by the College of St. Marys. The College of St. Mary’s service-learning program has partnered with our home to provide the nursing students with service learning opportunities. This is a wonderful partnership that we are very fortunate to have. So many beautiful relationships have been made as well as incredible learning opportunities. The ladies also really like working on their computer skills researching interesting pregnancy tips and facts on the internet. The ladies have also begun making necklaces, bracelets and baked goodies that they will be selling at local spring and summer garage and yard sales throughout the community. All proceeds will go to the Women’s Care Center of the Heartland to continue our efforts and mission.
Resident Profile
Hello,
My name is Danylle and I would like to share my story. I’ll start from the time I arrived in Omaha. I moved to Omaha when I was 17 years old, today I am 23. I ran away from home (I am originally from the east coast) with a boyfriend hoping our relationship would last a lifetime and get better. Things however did not get better and continued getting worse. Time and time again I contemplated staying in the relationship however it became dangerous. I left my boyfriend and became homeless. Because my home is across country and I ran away I felt hopeless and had no way to get back to the east coast. I slept on park benches outside, sometimes would go to shelters and on friend’s couches when they allowed me to. I tried getting a job but it’s hard when you do not have a home. I did find work in a very unhealthy setting and tried to earn money to get an apartment.
I met a young man and began a relationship with him and we moved in together. This was also not a good relationship, but I felt I loved this man and could make things better. He began to abuse me both mentally and physically however because I loved him it was very hard to leave. I was still working in an unhealthy environment and began using drugs. Things got so bad I finally left and tried getting some help. Homeless again I did not know what to do. I felt sick and was tired a lot and did not know what was wrong. I went to a free clinic and that was where I found out I was pregnant. Not knowing what to do I was terrified. I could not go back to my boyfriend because that was no longer an option for me. After sleeping again on different friends couches I realized I needed to do something. I begged for money from people downtown and met a young lady who told me about the Women’s Care Center of the Heartland. The young lady was from the YES house and she said the WCCH was a great place I should look into.
I filled out the application and had an interview with Gina, the Director. Well, things worked out and I got accepted and invited to move into the house. My journey really begins there. For the first time in my life I felt really loved and supported. I got good information, my very own private bedroom, good meals (I even learned new cooking skills) guidance, rules and structure. The Women’s Center helped me finally get my birth certificate and proper ID. You would not believe how hard this was for us to find. I had no record of who I was and could not access any acceptable documentation. The overnight staff really helped get this done.
I learned a lot at the Women’s Care Center. I attended classes on pre-natal care, getting ready for my daughters birth, healthy information and all kinds of stuff. They helped me keep on track with Doctors appointments and making sure I was ready for everything including a plan for after my daughters arrival. We ate dinner as a family, had fun and even some arguments, just like a real family. Most of all I feel like they prepared me to be the best parent I can be. I learned from watching the staff and understanding that good decisions come from your heart of honesty and God in mind & heart.
By attending the pre-natal and parenting classes I was able to earn points, and with the points I earned baby items. So by the time I gave birth I was ready to welcome her into the world and prepared. On January 15, 2006 I left for the hospital and gave birth at 5:07 on January 16, 2006. My beautiful daughter was placed in my arms and from that moment on my whole life began over. My daughter is the most beautiful gift I could ever imagine. I must say that without the Women’s Care Center staff I would not have come this far or helped me understand and believe that I am capable of being a great Mom and if I put my heart and mind to it I can do anything.
I would personally like the give a special thanks to: Marti Wilson, Gina Freimuth, Carolyn LaGreca, Sr. Clarice Korger, Christine O’Connor (her entire family) and Fr. Gutgsell. Without you all giving me a chance I would not be who I am or my daughter would be who she is. I am now living near my family on the east coast. I help take care of my Mom who has been ill as well. I have a job, go to school at night, I have a car (its old) but it gets me around and I have a bank account. All of this and most important my beautiful daughter. All because you all believed in me and gave me a chance. I promise I am a great Mom and will continue to do well. Thank you I love you all!
Danylle and Savanna
The Women’s Care Center
of the Heartland “Ladies Guild”
Volunteer Opportunity
We are inviting women in our community who are interested in forming a “Ladies Guild” association at the Women’s Care Center of the Heartland. We will conduct an informational meeting for anyone interested in joining this group. This professional and personal opportunity will allow and invite you to join our mission and be apart of our future. You will be inspired and encouraged to share your special gifts, talents and skills to our unique maternity home environment. This information-training meeting will inspire you and equip you to minister to our residents and share your enthusiasm and special skills. Please take a moment and consider joining the Women’s Care Center of the Heartland Ladies Guild. You will be a part of making a very beautiful impact!
Mother's Day Mass & Celebration
The Women’s Care Center of the Heartland would like to extend an invitation to your family and invite you to attend Mass and a special Mother Day continental breakfast. We would like to honor all the wonderful mothers who make such a beautiful difference in our daily lives and throughout our community. Fr. Gutgsell will be offering a special Mass on Saturday, May 13th at 9:30 a.m.
Please join us and be apart of our mission!
Mother’s Day
Mass and Breakfast
Saturday, May 13th
9:30 a.m.
Women’s Care Center
of the Heartland “Ladies Guild”
Informational Meeting
Tuesday, May 16, 2006 at 6:00 pm
Refreshments will be served
The Women’s Care Center of the Heartland is
located on the corner of 15th & Martha
In Memorium
In memory of Simon Michael Robb (infant)
By Torrey & Denise Robb
In memory of Floyld & Minnie Miller
By Ernie & Dee Mascarello
In memory of Thomas & Elizabeth Mascarello
By Ernie & Dee Mascarello
In memory of Thomas J. McKernon
By Ernie & Dee Mascarello
In memory of Harold Wellwood
By Joeseph & Mary Pat Sacco
In memory of Dorothy Gray
By Vareane & Terry Heese
In memory of Nancy Welling
By Steve & Carolyn LaGreca
Christmas Gift in honor of
The Richard Kizer Family
By Mary Alice Jenkins
The Women’s Care Center of the Heartland
Statistics for 2005
36 women and babies were served.
14 women stayed at the WCCH throughout their entire pregnancy
and through the birth of their baby.
32 women participated in our “Earn While You Learn” classes.
32 women participated in our “Healing the Culture” workshops.
34 women accessed proper pre-natal healthcare.
9 women moved out of the WCCH and into affordable housing (their own apartment).
4 women acquired GED certificate.
6 women found jobs. 2 (CNA), (1 tax preparer), (3) in day-care.
3 women obtained lost birth certificates, social security cards,
and proper identification.
5 women enrolled in college.
10 women volunteered at local agencies.
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