By Mary Stadnyk | Associate Editor

It has been five years since Good Counsel Home-South Jersey first opened its doors to single, homeless, pregnant women and their children. During that time, 54 babies were welcomed into the world and their mothers learned the skills they needed to properly care for their children and themselves and to live independently.

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That milestone, observed April 24, began when several of the mothers who currently reside in the Riverside-based shelter, their children, as well as staff, volunteers and other supporters gathered in nearby St. Casimir Church, Riverside, a worship site of Resurrection Parish, Delran, for a Mass celebrated by Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M.

Referring to the liturgy as “this Mass of Mercy,” Bishop O’Connell  said, “Today, here in our parish, we have in our midst in Riverside, one of several Good Counsel Homes who mission is to put Gospel love and mercy into practice.”

“Good Counsel Homes recognizes the dignity of God-given life from the moment of conception, fostering a nurturing, safe family environment, encouraging self-respect and independence for pregnant mothers and their children in a diverse community of all faiths and beliefs. They bring the Gospel of Love to life,” said Bishop O’Connell.

The Bishop lauded the Riverside-based home which opened five years ago and noted how Good Counsel staff, which includes administration, resident assistants and case managers, has supported 54 births and operates at 100 percent occupancy. The mothers and their children live at the home for a year or longer after their baby is born, the Bishop said, and “although they are not all Catholic, daily prayer is part of their day. They experience first-hand the mercy of God.”

“As Bishop, I congratulate and thank them on their fifth anniversary. How blest we are to witness another example of what the Gospel means. Our Lord invites us all today to take the mission of mercy to heart!”

Prospective residents arrive to Good Counsel Home through referrals from local social service agencies as well as through the agency’s main helpline.

In addition to the Riverside home, there are several specialized Good Counsel residences across the New York tri-state region and intake staff who who determine the facility that will best suit a particular woman’s needs. During their stay, all mothers learn household maintenance skills such as budgeting and planning and preparing and cooking meals. Mothers also attend weekly workshops on parenting, nutrition and child development and learn about job search strategies such as filling out applications, preparing a resume/cover letter, interviewing techniques and appropriate employment attire.

According to Bill Klatt, a member of the GCH leadership team, and JoAnn DiNoia, program development specialist, there are currently nine mothers, seven babies and two toddlers living in the Riverside facility.

“It’s a busy place,” said Klatt, noting that there have been times that cots had to be set up in other parts of the house, including the chapel, in order to provide for the mothers and their children. “But it works because of all the love that is here,” he said.

When she joined the corps of GCH volunteers, Mariellen Etter initially thought she would be helping to babysit “because I love babies.” Little did she know that she would come to use her background following a 30-year-career in the business world to teach residents about life skills, finances and how to find employment.

Good Counsel Home, she said, “is the perfect place for me to volunteer.”

After Mass, the fifth birthday festivities continued with an outdoor reception held on the Good Counsel Home-South Jersey grounds, where stories about the work of the agency were shared.

“I don’t know what I would have done if they were not here,” said, “Love,” who arrived to Good Counsel Home in January.

Anticipating the birth of her son, Levey, a mere two weeks away, the mother-to-be who hails from New  York said she finds Good Counsel Homes to be a “safe place that is stress free.”

“They want me and my baby to be healthy and happy,” said Love, noting that after her baby is born, she looks forward to returning to school.

Cradling her four-month old son, Noah, fellow resident Daveeda, a resident since July, spoke of how Good Counsel Home-South Jersey “came to my need” during a dark, painful period in her life.

The mother of three said, “They‘ve given me words of encouragement, warm beds to sleep in and classes.”

“I never have to wonder where food will come from,” she said. “Things are getting better and better.”