Project Hope helps mothers-to-be
Kristin Lukowski of The Michigan Catholic
Published August 11, 2006
Clinton Township – Although a woman faced with a crisis pregnancy may want to choose life for her baby, obstacles may be in the way: no stable job, no place to live, no baby clothes.
Project Hope, a service of Catholic Services of Macomb that provides expectant moms with resources, removes those obstacles. "We help women choose life," said agency director Thomas Reed.
Zanetta Smith, of Warren, recently turned to the phone book and found Project Hope after finding herself in a tough spot. With a baby on the way, she had to use rent money to attend her grandfather's funeral, which was out of town.
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Photo by Kristin Lukowski | The Michigan Catholic
Zanetta Smith recently received baby items through Project Hope, a service of Catholic Services of Macomb. |
"I just got behind," she said.
Looking for any agency that could help, and remembering the advice of a friend who said to try the Catholic Church, she gave Catholic Services of Macomb a call. Project Hope coordinator Mary Wade filled a bag full of baby items, gave her some gift certificates, and provided her with phone numbers that Smith hopes she will be able to use in securing child care.
Smith, 37, was due with girl Zakaiya Aug. 9, and hopes to use her six weeks of maternity leave to tie up loose ends and find a good child care for her baby. She works as a patient service representative at Karmanos Cancer Institute in Detroit, and just finished her first semester toward a health services administration degree at Davenport University.
She's only been in Michigan for two years, and she doesn't have family nearby that might be able to provide help with Zakaiya. She was thankful for the help Wade could give her, she said.
"She did what she could, and I appreciate it," she said.
Wade explained that Project Hope can provide help for an unplanned pregnancy early on, as women often come to them in their seventh or eighth month. Now, counselors help moms come up with a plan, through parenting the child or placing the baby with an adoptive family.
Last year, its first year of service, the program was able to help more than 200 families with either direct goods and services or referrals.
A baby pantry in the Catholic Services of Macomb office gives moms a selection of clothes, diapers, formula, hats, booties, teething rings, lotion and many other items — "extraordinary" donations from the area's Catholic churches, Wade said. Seniors often crochet blankets, booties and hats.
"Area congregations have been very, very supportive," she said. "We're very grateful."
In addition to providing items, Project Hope provides:
- free counseling
- referrals to food banks
- gift certificates to grocery stores
- rent assistance and utility assistance
- and car seats.
"We meet them where they're at," Reed said.
If a woman who's called for help does choose to have an abortion, Catholic Services of Macomb won't support that decision or provide a referral, Reed explained. But counselors do tell that mother to come back for a support group for post-abortive women, Project Rachel, which is held at metro Detroit sites.
And if a woman decides to place her child for adoption, Catholic Services of Macomb does offer infant adoption services.
Reed explained that a few years back, Catholic Services of Macomb decided to take another look at who they were, their mission and what they were supposed be doing. By using five basic values – Catholic social teaching, stewardship, quality care, empowerment and community leadership – they can see how their work is related to the Church's basic values.
 FYI
• For Project Hope, Project Rachel, Project Life or any of the services provided by Catholic Services of Macomb, call (586) 416-2300.
• Birth moms needing assistance can also call the 24-hour toll-free number (888) BABY-DUE. Or, visit www.csmacomb.org or e-mail csmacomb@csmacomb.org.
• Donations of money and items are also accepted. | For example, Reed said, on the surface an employee may be assisting a senior, but what they're really doing is lessening human suffering – a Catholic value.
"It is a very powerful management took to keep people focused," Reed said.
He says the staff has "gone happy" with this kind of approach to what they do. "They see now the difference between coming to work and doing a job," he said.
The program also referenced Pope Benedict XVI's "Deus Caritas Est" ("God is Love") encyclical, which directly discusses charity work.
Wade remembers one young woman with three young children who had nothing in her apartment. Project Hope was able to work out a deal with a second-hand store for a bedroom set, bedding, kitchen appliances, a dining table and chairs, living room furniture, lamps, clothes, bathroom necessities, and many more items.
Wade said everyone involved was crying. "She said, 'I never had anything so nice,'" Wade said.
Wade, who's been with Catholic Services of Macomb for 10 years, says she really does see her work as an extension of the Church. For example, there are no eligibility requirements for help: No one has to show a pay stub, and no one has to live in a particular county or city.
"If you tell me you have a need, we'll make every effort to try to help you," Wade said. "I think that's the most Christ-like response we could have."
Project Hope was developed in conjunction with two existing Archdiocese of Detroit initiatives, Project Life and Project Rachel. Combined, these three services provide direct material assistance, post-abortive counseling and pregnancy, parenting and adoption programs.
Catholic Services of Macomb also provides clinical counseling, senior services and pregnancy, parenting and adoption programs. It has served the residents of Macomb County for nearly 50 years.
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