Laura Godwin, Carolina Hope's Director, has written the following letter for friends and supporters of Carolina Hope:
December, 2008
Dear Carolina Hope Friends and Supporters,
Although you are all familiar with the ministry of Carolina Hope and the world of adoptions, you may not be familiar with the upheavals the adoption community has experienced this year and the continuing challenges we face. As a non-profit agency, we depend on your support to keep our fees to adopting families under control and also to continue providing services to women facing unplanned pregnancies.
Domestic Adoptions & Help to Vulnerable Women
In the area of domestic adoption, we seek to offer an alternative to facilitators who attract young birthmothers without providing them the Christ-centered counseling that is so necessary to an informed decision. We must maintain a staff of birthmother counselors who are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, so we can provide the adoption services desired by those expectant mothers who choose life for their babies. We need to increase our outreach in a manner that will let those women know that there is an agency that cares and is looking out for their best interests and the best interests of their babies. One of our goals next year is to reach the youth in our churches to tell them that adoption is an option for peers who are facing a crisis pregnancy.
This year our domestic program has grown, and we have seen spiritual fruit through this program. In the last several months, we worked with a birth mother whom we will call “Jennifer.” Jennifer has a history of depression and attempted suicide. While pregnant, she lived here in Greenville and our staff took care of her and directed her to go to a Christ-centered counseling ministry that offers guidance at no charge. The counselor was able to lead her to Christ. Jennifer was given a Bible and demonstrated a sincere desire to learn more and regularly read her Bible. Since moving back to her home state, she shared with Carolina Hope staff how she has joined a church, was baptized, and is continuing to grow as a believer. Please pray for Jennifer, that she would grow as a believer.
An Important Year for International Adoptions
International adoptions have gone through a dramatic change this past year. The Hague Convention on Intercountry Adoption – an international treaty regulating adoptions between countries -- was implemented by the United States, with the requirement for agencies to obtain accreditation from the Council on Accreditation. Based on our size and financial resources, we applied for – and received – one-year temporary accreditation. The fact that our staff, policies, and procedures qualified us for accreditation is a testimony to this ministry’s dedication to ethical and quality services.
This past year we began to minister to the orphans of Ethiopia, who are in a desperate situation. We were able to raise fund to purchase beds, blankets, food and medical supplies for many of these children. The needs are great, and donations are able to make a huge difference.
Looking to the Future
To expand the services we currently offer, we have begun discussions to consolidate our programs with Nightlight Christian Adoptions, a California agency that will soon be celebrating its 50th anniversary. Nightlight shares our faith, our principles, and our mission. They are fully accredited under the Hague by the Council on Accreditation, are one of 38 U.S. agencies to be accredited to perform adoptions in Russia, and also have active programs in Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, and Taiwan. In addition, they have a traditional domestic adoption program and are pioneers in the life-affirming field of embryo adoption through their Snowflakes program. They have been featured on Focus on the Family and For Faith & Family radio broadcasts several times and have been instrumental in helping hold back the onslaught of destroying embryos for research. In addition, Nightlight is one of the founding members of the National Christian Adoption Fellowship and a member of the Evangelical Council on Financial Accountability.
We believe that by consolidating our programs and capabilities with Nightlight, we will be able to offer our adopting families more choices for adoption and services. Nightlight is very excited about the opportunity to join with an agency with such a solid reputation that complements their programs. So the future looks very bright, even in the midst of very challenging times for adoptions. But we need your help.
How You Can Help
Although we have had fundraising events in the past, this is the first time I have written to you asking for your financial help. Would you please prayerfully consider sending us a year-end contribution to help our agency and those we serve? You can make your donation by mailing a check to our office or by following the Donate link at our international site.
In addition, perhaps you know of a business or foundation that is interested in learning more about how Carolina Hope and Nightlight can impact children and families with their support. I would appreciate the opportunity to answer any questions you may have or speak to any potential donor organizations.
Thank you for your prayers and support. We wish you a Christ-filled Christmas. God works His best miracles in our time of weakness as we look to Him for our needs.
In His Service,
Laura Beauvais-Godwin
Executive Director