My mailbox is stuffed full every single day with requests for donations from various charities. Just yesterday I received three such requests (and a newsletter from the National Right to Life Committee). One from Catholic Relief Services, another from Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio from the Archdiocese of Military Services, USA (never even knew such an Archdiocese existed) and the last envelope caught my eye in a special way. The return address listed Several Sources Shelters at a PO box in New Jersey. The word which caught my attention was 'shelter'.At a meeting some weeks ago, I was discussing with some folks from our parish various topics as found in the US Catholic Catechism for Adults. One lady mentioned that you just don't hear of many places for unwed mothers to seek shelter. I thought that perhaps this envelope held the answer to our concerns. I opened it and realized I have already received a similar envelope several times in the past only to recycle the paper materials and pull out the Miraculous Medal they enclosed. Receiving so many requests had perhaps made me numb to the words printed on the folder with the medal attached. On the back, there is a photo of four little babies and a sign below them, "Happy Mother's Day."
I have been struggling to find a place to financially support which helps to save lives, and not only preach against abortion, but an organization which actually helps these girls who are at risk of making life and death decisions. Locally, we have a wonderful charity, All Babies Cherished. We support their efforts as we can, but they just don't have the resources to house and care for hundreds of women and children. Every life counts, true, yet I prayed that there was some way to save more. Believe me, our family finances are tight and we have to be choosy when deciding which causes we can support, but I believe I have stumbled upon a new personal favorite.
Several Sources was started by founder Kathy DiFiore when she took into her own home her first pregnant teenager in 1981. In 1984 when, after having housed young pregnant women free of charge in her own home, Kathy was fined $10,000 by the state of New Jersey for running an illegal boarding house. Her story appeared in newspapers along with numerous television news programs. State Senator Gerald Cardinale sponsored a bill exempting non-profit groups from the legislation.
Some important points to note:
- 15,000 babies have been brought into this world with the support of Several Sources
- Several Sources is endorsed by Priests for Life and Fr. Pavone is on their Board of Directors
- In 1988 Kathy was invited to the White House by Pres. Ronald Reagan
- Following the birth of their babies, the young ladies learn about chastity and are given a chastity ring to wear
- Several Sources has created an interactive CD ROM and a website called "The Choice Game" as a further aid to teach the merits of abstinence
- Several Sources must raise $5,000 daily in order to keep in operation
- Several Sources operates a daytime shelter, Ladies Rest
- Several Sources currently operates four full-time shelters
- Every month, they send out 200 packages containing two videos, one the Silent Scream and the other information on Several Sources and the programs they provide. There is also a small packet and when they open the packaging and remove the paper it is wrapped in, revealed is a model of an 11-12 week old 'pre-born' with a card describing the development stages.
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