New Catholic center aims to assist pregnant women in need and their children
July 3, 2024 at 3:21 p.m.
When the Southern Ocean County branch of Birthright had to shutter its doors and could no longer assist pregnant women and mothers with children, a group of parishioners from three area parishes – St. Francis of Assisi, Brant Beach; St. Theresa, Little Egg Harbor, and St. Mary, Barnegat -- stepped in to help fill the void. Their efforts resulted in the establishment of the recently formed St. Michael the Archangel Help Center.
Deacon Bob Cunningham of St. Francis of Assisi Parish, the center’s founder and chairman, said it’s the hope and prayer that one day in the not-to-distant future the recently formed center will reach its ultimate goal of becoming a fully functional shelter that provides room and board to pregnant women in need and to help them after the birth of their child for up to two years.
But for now, the center provides assistance by making basic necessities available such as clothing, food, car seats, swings and cribs. The women seeking assistance are referred to the center by the Southern Ocean Medical Center in Stafford Township.
Deacon Cunningham explained that the center came about when the Birthright facility had closed almost two years ago due to a decline of operating resources . He was invited to attend a meeting in St. Mary Parish, Barnegat, by the pastor, Msgr. Kenard Tuzeneu, to meet with other like-minded people to discuss alternate ways to assist pregnant women in need.
It was from there that St. Michael the Archangel Help Center was created, he said, noting that on May 9, 2023, the center filed for non-profit status. For now, the center operates out of his home and the 12-member board rents two storage space units to store items.
“The response from the community has been terrific,” he said, noting that from the different fundraisers have been held, “the people have been very positive to our efforts and very generous.”
Currently funds are being raised to purchase a home, he said, and the goal is to be centrally located between the three towns of Little Egg Harbor, Barnegat and Brant Beach.
Deacon Cunningham admitted that there’s been a learning curve to being the director of a business and securing the logistics of its operation. Along with acknowledging the wealth of guidance he’s received from the staff of Good Counsel Homes in Riverside, he is also pleased with the support he receives from the three parishes as well as the 12-member board who has been able to handle the work load.
However, “as we are able to serve more people we will need more volunteers,” he said. “As our needs grow, so will our volunteer staff.”
Deacon Cunningham added that although the center is not directly associated with anyone parish or the Diocese, he emphasized that it is authentically Catholic with Catholic volunteers who strictly abide by the teachings of the Church.
Donations to St. Michael the Archangel Help Center may be sent to P.O. Box 2127, Brant Beach, N.J. 08008. To learn about the center, visit stmichaelhelp.org. For assistance, call 609-709-9549.
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When the Southern Ocean County branch of Birthright had to shutter its doors and could no longer assist pregnant women and mothers with children, a group of parishioners from three area parishes – St. Francis of Assisi, Brant Beach; St. Theresa, Little Egg Harbor, and St. Mary, Barnegat -- stepped in to help fill the void. Their efforts resulted in the establishment of the recently formed St. Michael the Archangel Help Center.
Deacon Bob Cunningham of St. Francis of Assisi Parish, the center’s founder and chairman, said it’s the hope and prayer that one day in the not-to-distant future the recently formed center will reach its ultimate goal of becoming a fully functional shelter that provides room and board to pregnant women in need and to help them after the birth of their child for up to two years.
But for now, the center provides assistance by making basic necessities available such as clothing, food, car seats, swings and cribs. The women seeking assistance are referred to the center by the Southern Ocean Medical Center in Stafford Township.
Deacon Cunningham explained that the center came about when the Birthright facility had closed almost two years ago due to a decline of operating resources . He was invited to attend a meeting in St. Mary Parish, Barnegat, by the pastor, Msgr. Kenard Tuzeneu, to meet with other like-minded people to discuss alternate ways to assist pregnant women in need.
It was from there that St. Michael the Archangel Help Center was created, he said, noting that on May 9, 2023, the center filed for non-profit status. For now, the center operates out of his home and the 12-member board rents two storage space units to store items.
“The response from the community has been terrific,” he said, noting that from the different fundraisers have been held, “the people have been very positive to our efforts and very generous.”
Currently funds are being raised to purchase a home, he said, and the goal is to be centrally located between the three towns of Little Egg Harbor, Barnegat and Brant Beach.
Deacon Cunningham admitted that there’s been a learning curve to being the director of a business and securing the logistics of its operation. Along with acknowledging the wealth of guidance he’s received from the staff of Good Counsel Homes in Riverside, he is also pleased with the support he receives from the three parishes as well as the 12-member board who has been able to handle the work load.
However, “as we are able to serve more people we will need more volunteers,” he said. “As our needs grow, so will our volunteer staff.”
Deacon Cunningham added that although the center is not directly associated with anyone parish or the Diocese, he emphasized that it is authentically Catholic with Catholic volunteers who strictly abide by the teachings of the Church.
Donations to St. Michael the Archangel Help Center may be sent to P.O. Box 2127, Brant Beach, N.J. 08008. To learn about the center, visit stmichaelhelp.org. For assistance, call 609-709-9549.