We have an immediate challenge in Chicago. An increasing number of single, young, expectant mothers & babies need help.  Here are two recent examples:

• A baby girl was born and abandoned in a Chicago hospital.  As the birthmother left the hospital she shared she was HIV positive.  Bethany found an adoptive family willing to accommodate the special needs of this child.  She is now at home and thriving with her adoptive family.
• At 16, a young girl gave birth to a baby boy.  During her pregnancy, her church suggested she talk with Bethany of Chicago.  She and her boyfriend participated in pregnancy counseling.  They decided to make an adoption plan and today continue to have an open adoption relationship with the adoptive family.   

Our referral sources have shared that intentional outreach is needed—many expectant mothers are aborting their babies because they are unaware that help and options exist. Some need next month’s rent.  Some need pre-natal care. 

Because of the strong communities of families, we are able to find adoptive families for these babies. Already, many families have opened their hearts and their homes to adopting these babies who would have otherwise been aborted. Some of these babies are born with fetal alcohol syndrome or drug exposure and need parents who can provide extraordinary love. These families need access to Bethany during their adoption as well as afterward for on-going support.   

The need is significant and growing in the suburbs. We are responding by moving from our downtown office (Halsted St) to Palos Heights (West College Drive) on the southside. We are also exploring possibilities for street locations on the northside and the westside.  We want to be sure to offer our presence in locations so that those in need can readily find us.

Bethany is called to help these expectant mothers, their babies, and adoptive families NOW! With our new presence in the suburbs, we estimate we can serve 20 expectant moms & their babies during this year. If needed funding becomes available and as our presence grows in the suburbs, we estimate we will be serving many more in 2010.  

To provide for the needs in our community, I need your support. Will you join me with a gift before December 31, 2009 to help raise $10,000? Here are a few great ways your support can help right now:

$30 could provide transportation to prenatal medical care

$50 could provide heat & electricity for a month

$100 could provide one hour of counseling

Please share this information with 5 friends

It will take more than you and me to achieve this goal! It’s so easy to link this webpage to your Facebook page, or to send the link in an e-mail.

LINK:   http://www.firstgiving.com/2009ChallengeinChicago

Please call if you’d like to know more or to pledge and send your gift via check.

Call toll-free: 1.866.851.2534

Sharing More Love,
Dave Tiemersma
Interim Director, Bethany of Chicago