What better occasion is there to celebrate the gift of life than at a birthday party?

That’s what happened the evening of Oct. 28 when more than 200 residents, staff, volunteers and friends of Good Counsel Homes-South Jersey gathered in Lucien’s Manor, Berlin.

Though the threat of Hurricane Sandy loomed, not many dinner-goers were deterred from attending the annual event which benefits a ministry that provides help to homeless pregnant women and their children. The evening also celebrated the births of the 31 children who have been born to Good Counsel Home mothers to date.

“These are the heroes we celebrate tonight and I really mean that,” Brenda Quinn, a member of the South Jersey executive committee, said of the Good Counsel Home mothers, several of whom were in attendance with their little ones. “Heroes are people who got the courage to do what’s right. They had the courage to have their children.”

Highlights of the evening featured keynote speaker Chris Bell who recounted how it came about for him to establish the original Good Counsel Home in 1985, along with Franciscan Friar of the Renewal Father Benedict Groeschel. He spoke about how the ministry has evolved into a respected Catholic organization that has been dedicated to the care of single, homeless pregnant mothers before, during and after the birth of their babies. Today, Good Counsel Homes operates four homes in the greater New York City area. In addition to providing direct assistance, Good Counsel has been instrumental in assisting other maternity homes across the country so that pregnant women in need can choose life for their babies and receive the necessary life skills training to live independently.

JoAnn DiNoia, program director, smiled as she talked about the evolvement of the South Jersey site, which opened in April, 2011 and is located in the former convent on the grounds of Resurrection Parish, Delran.

“We’re busy,” she said, noting that the home is currently beyond filled to capacity with 10 mothers, seven babies and two toddlers. Although the home has nine bedrooms, sleeping quarters have been set up in the chapel or other meeting rooms to accommodate the overflow of residents.

“What else can we do?” said DiNoia. “We can’t turn anyone away. We welcome all mothers and their babies.”

For resident and new mother, Michelle Coon, Good Counsel Home has become the “home where my baby and I are welcome.”

Coon recounted how she arrived at Good Counsel Home from Atlanta in July at seven-and-a-half months pregnant. The baby’s father was incarcerated and “I was living in circumstances that were uncomfortable for me and my unborn child.”

“I never thought in a million years that I would be in this position – pregnant and in need of shelter for my unborn baby and myself,” Coon said, noting that she has a bachelor’s degree and 16 years of professional experience working as a legal secretary.

Coon said she learned of Good Counsel Home through a social worker at Jersey Shore Medical Center, Neptune, who “thought it would be a great place for me and my unborn child.”

Coon’s voice softened as she remembered entering the Good Counsel Home facility for the first time and reading the sign above the front door that said: “Pray before entering.”

“After being here for three months, I can truly say that it is a great place for me and my baby. I have witnessed much giving, kindness and spiritual growth given by the staff and volunteers,” said Coon. “They take good care of us – me and the best gift God gave me – my little boy, Daniel. Good Counsel Home believes that life is beautiful and God presents us with the gift of life and we have to cherish that gift,” she said.