CHARLOTTE — Bishop Michael Martin, OFM Conv. took a tour and spent time with volunteers at Birthright of Charlotte on Mar. 3. The prolife crisis pregnancy support center was designed to be less like a facility and more like a home that provides a comfortable and stable environment for expecting mothers.
“We like to say that we don’t have an office; we have a home,” said Executive Director Hank Chardos.
The bishop walked through the living room where volunteers meet with clients, the clothing room where moms can choose from donated baby clothes as well as maternity clothes for themselves, and the kitchen where people gather to share prayer and conversation.
Birthright of Charlotte offers free, confidential support for mothers, including pregnancy tests, personal care items, and referrals for prenatal care, housing, education and other essential needs.
Bishop Martin was especially impressed with the baby booties crocheted by St. Matthew parishioners, which are included in gift baskets given to new mothers before leaving Birthright.
The baby booties are given to all clients as the first gift for their baby.
Lifelong Catholics, Chardos and his wife, Sally. formed the Birthright chapter in Charlotte a year and a half ago after founding and operating Birthright of Columbia for 41 years. In that short time, 600 mothers have contacted them, all with different needs and situations.
After guiding Bishop Martin through the home, Chardos shared a show-and-tell item, a board adorned with pictures of mothers and babies – a testament to those Birthright has helped.
Clients typically sit on the comfy couch in the intake area and are listened to, cared for and encouraged by volunteers- sometimes for the first time during their pregnancy. On this day, it was Bishop Martin sitting with Chardos and 20 volunteers and board members around the kitchen table. They discussed the organization’s purpose and goals.
Bishop Martin posed a question, “Why are you serving?”
Volunteers described personal anecdotes while the bishop “inquisitively” listened.
Bishop Martin inquired about clientele demographics, the impact Birthright is making and father participation.
“It was a very comfortable interaction,” Chardos said, “and the bishop was as warm and as welcoming as could be.”
One of the intangible but profoundly meaningful things Chardos and his team offer are prayers. Before entering into client discussions, they say a prayer. They offer a prayer line with over two 200 members for mothers and their babies, and one of the most important things Chardos asked of Bishop Martin was prayer. The bishop readily agreed.
“We had such a great visit,” Chardos said. It was such a blessing. He was interested in hearing about all that we do. This visit really has meant so much to us.”
— Lisa Geraci. Submitted photos.
