Don t miss Matt Birk. The gift of fatherhood. Reclaiming love What is your legacy? Dave & Jenny: You can do it

Transcription

1 Helping Pregnancy Centers and Clinics Thrive Since 1974 elevatelifeusa.org formerly Total LifeCare/TLC Options The gift of fatherhood Don t miss Matt Birk Super Bowl XLVII winner Reclaiming love What is your legacy? Dave & Jenny: You can do it

2 summer 2018 contents 3 president s letter There is a season and a time 4 what s new Real Essentials Certification & Joyful Noise with ICU Mobile 7 what s next A full line up of services for Affiliates are coming up 8 affiliate focus Health Resources - Detroit Lakes Lakes LifeCare Center 11 affiliates locations development What will your legacy be? 13 supporter spotlight Dave & Jenny Baker: Everyone has unique gifts 14 affiliate map 15 staff & resources Elevate Life 32nd Annual Golf Tournament Monday August 6 18-Hole Scramble Golf Cart Included Dinner & Awards Prize Drawing Crystal Lake Golf Course Innsbrook Drive, Lakeville, MN Register Online at elevatelifeusa.org/golf 2 elevate life Summer 2018 Hole & Event Sponsorships Still Available! Please contact Christy at Christy@ElevateLifeUSA.org

3 president s letter To everything there is a season and a time to every purpose under the heaven: A time to be born, a time to die; a time to plant Ecclesiastes 3:1 I love spring because it s a time to plant, but I love summer more because it s a season when all that has been planted takes root and grows. My little garden is finally blooming. I have tended it with loving care; watering, fertilizing, removing the weeds, and shooing away the bunnies. I admit I don t have a green thumb. Every office plant I have ever had died within the first month. But I love watching the wonder of a tiny seed planted in the dirt transforming into a beautiful flower. It s a reflection of God s matchless glory. It s a beautiful reminder of His priceless gift of Life. As we move into summer here at Elevate Life, it is with thankful hearts for all the amazing answers to prayer we have experienced since the beginning of And with excitement in anticipation of the upcoming events planned for the boards, staffs, and volunteers of our affiliated pregnancy resource centers and clinics this fall. These trainings and workshops are the seeds we plant to help equip those on the front lines in the battle for life to minister the love of Christ in an effective way to each woman and family who come to them for help, hope and healing. Last week, I had the privilege of hearing how one of the seeds we sowed this spring took root and blossomed into the gift of life. I met with one of our Pregnancy Resource Center directors who shared with me something that happened immediately after she attended our Spring Elevate Higher Training which focused on understanding how childhood trauma effects adults years later. She shared that a young woman had come to their center for a pregnancy test in tears. The woman shared that if she were to be pregnant she would have an abortion. After the test came back positive, this young woman sadly told the director she had no other option but to terminate the pregnancy. Using the new information she had learned at the trauma training this director asked a few key questions and found out that as a child this woman had suffered through years of sexual abuse by a family member. She felt both incapable and unworthy of parenting a child. Because of the training our director had received and the resources she had been given, she was able to help this young woman see that she could choose life for her unborn child. Your financial donations and faithful prayers allow Elevate Life to equip our affiliate staff to be successful in helping the women they see choose life. Thank you for your generous donations! The gifts you give this summer will allow us to schedule and provide more important trainings this fall. Vaunae Hansel, MCLC President vaunae@elevatelifeusa.org (formerly TLC/Total LifeCare Centers) 2600 Eagan Woods Drive, Suite 110 Eagan, MN / Donors: ElevateLifeUSA.org Affiliates: OptionsMN.com President: Vaunae Hansel Development Director: Jane Riley Best Board of Directors: Paul Conley, Chairman Larry Pohlen, Vice Chair Tom Skiba, Treasurer Betsy Atkinson Mona Freeburg Jon Guden Jim Hamburge Kathleen Haus, RN Pete Herold Ludy Peller, NP Murray Wolf (w) (w) Medical Advisory Council: Kathleen Haus RN Council Chair Dr. Greg Young Dr. Steven Calvin Liz Blanchard RN Sydney March BLA-Th, BSN, RN, PHN All content copyright 2018 by elevate life Summer Spring elevate life 3

4 what s new real essentials certification We are reclaiming real love! Together Elevate Life and its affiliates are working to change the culture. The counter-revolution has started. Love is so much more than what contemporary media & society claim it is. Elevate Life collaborated with other local organizations to bring the Real Essentials training to the Twin Cities. Registration filled up so quickly that we had to move the location in order to accommodate the fifty staff that attended. In addition to the fourteen Elevate Life Pregnancy Resource Centers (PRCs) who sent staff to be trained, we were able to open up the training to six additional out of network PRCs who sent staff from as far away as Texas and Florida. Real Essentials is a scientifically proven curriculum with age-appropriate messaging. It offers a unique approach that encompasses the entire person, mind, body and heart. The youth and adolescents who participate in the programs will learn how to develop healthy connections and experience real love. The training prepares presenters to teach relationship skills to students, forever impacting the quality of their connections. Real Essentials helps our affiliates: Reach youth before they have an STD or a crisis pregnancy, to show the beauty of real love and deep relationships Build relationships in the community as a trusted place offering other resources. Build relationships with teens so if they do have a problem they will come to our centers The Real Essential Curriculum is already being used in schools across the nation. Several of our affiliates are already implementing Real Essentials into their Youth Outreach Programs. Thus, the counter-revolution has indeed started. 4 elevate life Summer 2018

5 what s new Real Essentials meet our new intern! Julia Mak Elevate Life Intern Julia has finished her third year at the University of Mary with an anticipated degree in Psychology. Julia is assisting Elevate Life with social media, donor communications and much more. Joyful Noise This June, we partnered with our affiliate, ICU Mobile, to participate in the KTIS Joyful Noise Family Music Fest. With 16,000 individuals attending the event many families were able to learn more about Elevate Life and our network of affiliates. ICU mobile did tours of their mobile ultrasound bus and performed seven ultrasounds and two pregnancy tests during the day. Summer 2018 elevate life 5

6 what s new give the gift of fatherhood By Vaunae Hansel MCLC One of my most precious childhood memories is of my father sitting on the floor each night between my sister s and my twin beds and telling us stories until we fell asleep. I don t remember a single one of those stories today, but I remember him filling our matching pink cups with cold water and placing them on the night stand between our beds. I remember his voice lulling us safely to sleep. He was a man of few words and what some might call a work-aholic (he grew up in the Great Depression) but we knew he loved us. It doesn t take much to fill the heart of a child. My father, like us all, had his flaws, but he did what he could to be there for my sister and me. We have often talked about the fact that we are who we are today because of him. Every day men come into our Pregnancy Resource Centers having few, if any, positive memories of a father in their lives. While they are with us, these men learn for the first time that they are a father. We have an amazing opportunity to change the legacy they will leave their children if we can offer them a safe place to share their fears and learn the skills they need to positively engage in their child s life before they are even born. I clearly remember sitting in the room with a couple at our Pregnancy Clinic in California when they received the news that the pregnancy test they had just taken was positive. The young man looked at me with tears running down his face and whispered, I can t be a father, I don t even know what that looks like. That was nearly twenty years ago and yet this very same scenario plays out day after day in Pregnancy Resource Centers and Clinics across our state. Care Net President and CEO Roland C. Warren often says that there s a hole in every child s soul in the shape of their dad. There is a father absence crisis in America. According to the U.S. census bureau, 24 million children, 1 out of 3, live without their biological father in the home. 63% of youth suicides are from fatherless homes (US Dept. Of Health/Census) 5 times the average. 90% of all homeless and runaway children are from fatherless homes 32 times the average. 85% of all children who show behavior disorders come from fatherless homes 20 times the average. (Center for Disease Control) 80% of rapists with anger problems come from fatherless homes 14 times the average. (Justice & Behavior, Vol 14, p ) 71% of all high school dropouts come from fatherless homes 9 times the average. (National Principals Association Report) Elevate Life wants to lead the way in helping to fill this hole in a child s heart by equipping every one of our Pregnancy Resource Centers in Minnesota and Western Wisconsin with the training and resources they need to launch a new Fatherhood program or strengthen the one they have. You can help our affiliated network of Pregnancy Resource Centers change the legacy the men who come through our doors will leave for their unborn children by making a financial donation in honor of your own father, grandfather, brother, son or friend. If you choose to make that gift monthly or an annual gift, it will make an even larger impact! An acknowledgment card will be sent in your name to the person you choose to honor in this special way. 6 elevate life Summer 2018

7 redesigned client website what s next Our new website just rolled out to help connect you, our supporters, to our work. See how your support is making a difference. ElevateLifeUSA.org. SRA Training SRA - Sexual Risk Avoidance training by Ascend. Continuing to reclaim our culture. For over a decade, Ascend has helped thousands of America s youth make smart, forward-thinking choices about their relationships. SRA s certification offers educators the opportunity to distinguish themselves in their field, increase credibility, and demonstrate a professional commitment to enhancing their teaching expertise by providing training and expert development. Refresh, Renew, Recharge for REAL! Coming November 2018, Elevate Life will host its annual retreat for Executive Directors and their staff. It will be a time to reconnect and recharge for the mission. Elevate Life is excited to announce that Lauren Roman will be our keynote speaker. Lauren brings a rich message of encouragement for our hope in Christ. Summer 2018 elevate life 7

8 affiliate focus Lakes LifeCare Center Lakes LifeCare Center s male mentoring program is creating positive role models. It is strengthening the father-child bond. By transforming men into Fearless Fathers, it is helping to build strong families in our community. When Jill Wagner stepped into the Executive Director role at Lakes Life Care Center in Forest Lake around 8 years ago, she called upon her past experience to form the direction client services would take. Having accompanied a college roommate for an abortion, she knew first-hand the regret that can creep in years later, not only for the woman who chose abortion, but for the person who supported her decision. Jill s center is providing the services her clients and their partners need to make a positive choice with their pregnancy. About 4 years ago it became clear to the center s staff that something important was missing from their services. Fathers accompanied their partners to parenting classes taught by women, geared toward motherhood. Enter the Fearless Fathers Program. Knowing our culture has de-masculinized men and the lack of positive male role models in their client base, the center recruited male mentors to meet one-on-one with dads. Through conversation and positive attachment, the mentors build up fatherhood, which also builds a stronger family for the baby. Is it working? Yes. Recently Ben walked into the center, excited to show off his new baby to his mentor. When Ben walked in the door, he carried his baby with confidence and he had even changed his appearance. He explained, I ve been applying for jobs. Now I know that if I want to be a role model to my children I can t be sagging my pants and looking like a bum anymore. I need to be respectable. Jill shares how important the father is in a child s life. She states, God didn t just place Jesus in Mary s womb, but He made sure Jesus also had an earthly father. What a beautiful example of the importance of fathers! Fearless Fathers mentoring program at Lakes LifeCare 8 elevate life Summer 2018

9 affiliate focus Health Resources Detroit Lakes Health Resources (Detroit Lakes) Executive Director Britton Ramsey, brings her passion, her faith, her community connections and her story to the clinic as she is sparking hope in rural western Minnesota. Health Resources in Detroit Lakes, MN celebrated its two year anniversary this June. Under the leadership of Britton Ramsey, the surrounding community already recognizes the services that Health Resources provides. In networking with a variety of local medical, public and nonprofit agencies, Britton and her staff have found their particular niche in meeting the needs of their community. We don t try to be everything to everyone. Agencies refer to us and we refer back to them. There is room for everyone at the table, Britton, Executive Director for only 6 months, stated as we were discussing their success. So far in the year 2018, she reports a 30% increase in pregnancy testing and ultrasounds, a 90% increase in STI testing, and a 20% increase in education classes. I can t be pregnant. I m not going to be pregnant. Britton hears these words and others in her daily work now, but those thoughts were her own when she experienced pregnancy at age 17. She remembers thinking of the pregnancy as an issue, an issue that needed to go away. She grew up in a Christian, pro-life family and her mom became her rock and her strongest supporter. She chose life. She married the baby s father. And she pulls from her experience as she follows God s call to this mission. I can t be pregnant. I m not going to be pregnant. As clients learn of their pregnancy, Britton allows them to grieve the loss of their plans and walks with them as they embrace the new direction pregnancy requires. I love sparking hope in our clients and seeing God move every single day in this work, miraculous things that give me goose bumps. That didn t happen when I worked in a bank. Britton shares her thoughts, As a new Executive Director, I am so thankful for Elevate Life. They have been a Godsend. The phone calls, the training, answers to my questions, I don t think we could have been this successful without Elevate Life. Britton Ramsey, Executive Director, Mailia (9), Mikail (11), Madison (19), Nate Summer 2018 elevate life 9

10 affiliate focus our affiliates expanding medical services By Vaunae Hansel MCLC Pregnancy Resource Centers empower women, encourage families and strengthen communities. Newly published market research from the Charlotte Lozier Institute indicates an urgency to rethink the pro-life model. The pro-life research arm of the Susan B. Anthony List found in surveys conducted in 2014 that only 12% of the clients at the nation s 2,500 pregnancy-help centers are abortion-minded women, while approximately half of all clients show risk factors that would make them abortion-vulnerable. The institute recommended adding more comprehensive services, particularly medical services. Its survey showed a combined 98% of women and 93% of men rated medical care from a doctor or nurse as the most or second-most important service a pregnancy-help center could provide. Nearly all of our affiliated Pregnancy Resource centers already offer limited obstetrical ultrasounds introducing women in unexpected pregnancies to their unborn baby. 59% offer STD Screening and Treatment opening an opportunity to address risky behavior and introduce the idea of waiting for intimacy until married. Three offer full prenatal care under the direction of a Medical Director who is a licensed OB or Family Practice Physician. A study I conducted 5 years ago as Executive Director of one of our affiliates which followed 120 women who had a positive pregnancy test at our clinic until they had attended their first prenatal appointment. The results showed that although we gave them each three prenatal referrals, over 70 of these women still had not had their first OB appointment when entering the final trimester of their pregnancy. The study also concluded the primary reasons in order of importance were; they felt overwhelmed by their circumstance and couldn t tell their story one more time, they didn t have insurance, and, finally, transportation was an obstacle. Women also come to us with layers of underlying trauma from past childhood abuse to homelessness. Sharing their story and developing a sense of trust is never easy, but for the women we see it is an overwhelming obstacle. Once trust has been established, the connection offers them a chance to have transformational change take place in their lives. The more women s health services we can offer, the more of an opportunity we have to help them enact this kind of change. Currently 28 Physicians, 3 Physicians Assistants, 2 Nurse Practitioners, 43 Registered Nurses, 10 Registered Diagnostic Medical Sonograohers (RDMS s) and 9 Nurse Sonographers work at our affiliate locations offering medical services. All of the physicians are volunteering their services free of charge. Elevate Life provides current best practice medical standards to each of our affiliates as well as access to our Medical Advisory Counsel, ongoing training on medical services, and quarterly medical staff meetings which provide support and continuity in the medical services offered across our affiliation 10 elevate life Summer 2018

11 affiliate locations Abria (2 Locations) 2200 University Ave. W., Ste. 160 St. Paul, MN / Thomas Ave. N. Minneapolis, MN / Central MN Options for Women 1225 Timberlane Dr, Ste. 5 Sauk Centre, MN / First Choice Clinic 1755 Old West Main St., Ste. 101 Red Wing, MN / First Choice Pregnancy Services 1223 S. Broadway St., PO Box 742 New Ulm, MN / Health Resources (2 Locations) 126 E. Lincoln Ave. Fergus Falls, MN / / HOPE 904 Lake Ave. Detroit Lakes, MN 56501/ Hope Pregnancy Center 1520 Mavis Lane SE, PO Box 334 Willmar, MN / ICU Mobile Twin Cities PO Box 435 Savage, MN / Lake Superior LifeCare Center (2 Locations) 4931 E. Superior St. Duluth, MN / Belknap St. Superior, WI / Lakes LifeCare Center 840 W. Broadway Ave., Ste. 100 Forest Lake, MN / Life Choice 118 N. 4th St. Cannon Falls, MN / LifeCare Pregnancy Center of TRF 204 Labree Ave. N., PO Box 972 Thief River Falls, MN / Northern Options for Women 309 3rd St., PO Box 1057 International Falls, MN / Northfield Women s Center 314 Washington St. Northfield, MN / Options for Women Chisago County 6344 Elm Street, PO Box 516 North Branch, MN Options for Women Cornerstone 204 Central Ave. E., PO Box 117 St. Michael, MN / Options for Women East 891 White Bear Avenue St. Paul, MN / Options for Women Hastings 1125 South Frontage Road, Suite 2 Hastings, MN / Options for Women Iron Range (2 Locations) 802 E. Howard St., Ste. 4 Hibbing, MN / th St. N., Ste. 130 Virginia, MN / Options for Women Mankato 11 Civic Center Plaza, Ste. 011 Mankato, MN / Options for Women Menomonie 1121 Evans Lane, PO Box 427 Menomonie, WI Options for Women Morris (2 Locations) 615 Atlantic Ave. Morris, MN / East 5th St. Starbuck, MN 56381/ Options for Women River Falls 214 N. Main St., PO Box 414 River Falls, WI / Options for Women St. Croix Valley th St. N., PO Box 158 Oak Park Heights, MN / Options for Women Tri-County 215 1/2 Cascade St., PO Box 163 Osceola, WI / BABY Pregnancy Choices Glazier Ave., Ste. 104 Apple Valley, MN / Pregnancy Options LifeCare Center 18 2nd St. NW Faribault, MN / Sandstone Options for Women 927 State Highway 23 N., PO Box 226 Sandstone, MN / SouthWest Options for Women 1615 Mainstreet Hopkins, MN / Wakota - A Guiding Star Center 1140 South Robert St. W. St. Paul, MN / Women s LifeCare Center 2870 Middle St. Little Canada, MN / WomenSource th Ave. N., Ste. 3 Anoka, MN / Woodbury Options for Women 1103 Weir Drive, Ste. Woodbury, MN / Summer 2018 elevate life 11

12 development corner what will your legacy be? Your impact can last beyond a lifetime. Over the last 10 months, we have been able to dramatically elevate the level of services we provide to our affiliated pregnancy resource centers. During the past year, Elevate Life has invested in additional staffing, larger offices and expanded services all solely for the benefit of our affiliates and their clients, with an ultimate goal of fostering a culture of life in our communities. We have greatly expanded services in the areas of affiliate training, networking, medical and legal standards, marketing, website development, fundraising and more. But we couldn t achieve our goals without the commitment, enthusiasm and knowledge of our supporters. Did you know that you could continue to support Elevate Life and 30+ Pregnancy Resource Centers (PRCs) in Minnesota and Western Wisconsin for generations to come? A Legacy Gift can reflect everything that is most important and meaningful to you. A Legacy Gift can perpetuate your support for the work of the organizations that are important to you during your lifetime. Creating your own legacy ensures that you will be remembered and that your work and your values will continue when you are no longer here. You have the opportunity to ensure if Elevate Life and its PRC affiliates will exist long enough for us to see an end to abortion. Your gifts today and your endowment gifts for the future can underwrite vital programs for Elevate Life and the affiliates that we serve currently in Minnesota and Western Wisconsin, with our sights set for the nation, one step at a time. Protecting life, especially that of the unborn, has been a long-standing battle. We need your support now and in the future to win this battle. This is a battle that we can win, and we hope to do so with your ongoing support. This is the role that your Legacy Gift can play Selecting the right charitable estate planning vehicle can allow you to reduce your estate and income taxes. Your gift can be restricted or unrestricted. It can help you maximize the financial and tax benefits of your gift. It allows you to make a larger gift than you thought possible. The legacy planning process can be a starting point for heartfelt conversations with your family that allows us to continue our work for generations to come; work that you have generously supported. If you have already named Elevate Life in your estate plan, please let me know, as I would like the opportunity to thank you. Jane Riley Best Director of Development jane@elevatelifeusa.org What s Your Legacy? Ways to Gift: Gifts of Will or Trust Gifts of Retirement Plan Assets Gifts of Real Estate Gifts of Stocks, Bonds, Mutual Funds Gifts of Life Insurance Learn more about leaving a legacy Jane Riley Best: (651) elevate life Summer Spring 2018

13 supporter spotlight you can do it Being pro-life is a family affair for the Bakers. Everyone can bring their unique talents to help LIFE! Dave and Jenny have been supporters of Elevate Life since Jenny has been involved in the pro-life movement for many more years (too many to count). She raised her two daughters, Amy and Christy, to honor the sacredness of human life from conception to natural death. Jenny has been a sidewalk prayer partner, a client advocate at Wakota and Pregnancy Choices, and has also served as a Board Member of Pregnancy Choices. Being prolife is a family activity. Much to their teenage daughters embarrassment, she would volunteer them for different pro-life events. Promoting life can be done from many different angles. Much of my volunteering has been indirect, with no direct client contact. There are so many different ways to help. - Dave Baker Jenny was blessed to be able to volunteer because Dave, the love of her life, supported the family. And he was a sympathetic ear. She has felt called to this work since her college friend had an abortion. I am so grateful there are pregnancy centers so people can see the baby through ultrasound and can get the support they need to carry the baby, and make life-affirming decisions. Dave has been a man of many different supporting roles. He has been a registration volunteer (say Hi to him at the Gala & Golf Tournament!), a strong pair of arms to carry, envelope stuffer, and a musician. At many affiliate galas, he has played the sax and flute. He has also provided music for Elevate Life s retreat and a multitude of other occasions. Did you know? Christy, Elevate Life s Office Manager is Dave and Jenny s daughter. Now the tables are turned and Christy is forever asking Mom to volunteer. Baker Extended Family Dave Volunteering Jenny Volunteering Summer 2018 elevate life 13

14 affiliate map Metro Locations BROOKLYN PARK MAPLE GROVE 494 CRYSTAL PLYMOUTH SHOREVIEW W 51 ST ANTHONY LITTLE CANADA NORTH ST PAUL 36 ORONO WAYZATA MINNEAPOLIS 394 ST LOUIS PARK 280 ST. PAUL 694 SAUK CENTRE HOPKINS W 55 WEST ST PAUL WOODBURY EDINA 5 NORTH BRANCH 212 EDEN PRAIRIE BLOOMINGTON 35E COTTAGE GROVE 35W EAGAN ST MICHAEL FOREST LAKE ANOKA OSCEOLA SAVAGE BURNSVILLE APPLE VALLEY HASTINGS STILLWATER RIVER FALLS MENOMONIE CANNON FALLS NEW ULM 14 elevate life Summer 2018

15 staff & resources Vaunae Hansel President Provide thought -leadership Affiliation Relations Lead Affiliate Advisory Council Oversight Oversight of all training programs, new Executive Director training, and professional development programs Provide strategic planning assistance Megan Schmidt Jane Riley Best Donor and Director of Development Development Support Recruit & coordinate Manage, compile reports, and analyze incoming donations and inquiries Assist in updating social media platforms, communication & event registration Manage all donor communications Build and foster donor and community relationships Donor communications Development Provide development consultation to affiliates Christy Baker Patty Rosno Affiliate Support Affiliate Support Coordinator & Manager Office Manager Affiliate support specializing in outstate/rural centers Website maintenance Office management Technical support Affiliate support specializing in metro affiliate and medical affiliate needs. Provide leadership on the Medical Model for Centers of Excellence Manages a pool of medical and legal professionals for the affiliate network. Julia Mak Intern Social Media Support Donor Comm. Assistance Special Events Metro Advisory Council Pete Herold Council Chair Don Brown Pat Burns Summer 2018 Ginny Cronin Sara Oakland-Curl Becky Hanel Greg Mencke Jennifer Meyer Zach Peterson Kathy Ricke Trent Simpson Nancy Utoft elevate life 15

16 2600 Eagan Woods Drive, Suite 110 Eagan, MN Donor Website: Client Website: Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Twin Cities, MN Permit No Don t forget Total LifeCare Centers is now Building a culture of life Since 1974 please mark your calendar Stronger Together 2018 elevate life Annual Benefit Gala Sept. 22, 2018 Double Tree Bloomington Register Online at elevatelifeusa.org/gala Meet Matt Birk He played 11 seasons with the Minnesota Vikings and 4 more with the Baltimore Ravens. Matt Birk Super Bowl XLVII winner Pro-Life Hero Speaker at 2018 Gala