This article was originally published in September 2012, by Rhonda Fisher.
When longtime CPO volunteer Laura M. woke up a few weeks ago, she had no idea that her actions that day would have such a monumental importance in people’s lives.
It was Labor Day, and Laura had volunteered to answer the 24-hour emergency phone line for CPO. Of course, she didn’t have to stay at the office on Labor Day. Instead, the phone line is forwarded to her personal cell phone.
This job is important, because crisis pregnancies don’t keep banker’s hours. Women and girls often need someone to talk to in the early morning after their positive pregnancy test, or in the evening after arguing with an unsupportive family member, or in the middle of the night after losing sleep over the fear of the major life change occurring in their bodies. If we don’t answer the phones, especially in this technologically-driven day and age, the prevalent instant gratification mentality might lead a worried girl to just call someone else on the Google search page. Of course, CPO doesn’t want that to happen, because we’ve then lost the opportunity to change a life and minister to her.
When Laura’s phone rang this time, it wasn’t a worried girl or a scared woman. It was a social worker, calling from the hospital where a new baby had just been born the night before. The social worker informed Laura that the birthmother had chosen to make an adoption plan. Based on the birthmother’s request, the social worker called our number first, and Laura was there to answer the call.
“It was a pretty exciting thing, I’ve never had a call like that before,” says Laura. She took the basic information from the social worker, assured her that someone else from CPO would be calling back very soon, and hung up. Laura then made another simple phone call to set off a chain reaction of volunteer efforts that ultimately changed the lives of many people.
Stephanie J. was the assistant “on call” that day. Like all of the workers at CPO, Stephanie’s efforts are completely volunteer-based; she receives no salary. But she’s been involved with CPO for 8 years now, and she currently holds the position of Assistant to the Executive Director. Stephanie is actually one of several assistants; they are the volunteers who are directly involved in bringing adoptive families and birthmothers together.
Stephanie got the information from Laura, and then immediately called the social worker. She got as much information from the social worker as possible, and then set to work. First, she sent a text to the other assistants asking for the names of waiting families who were open to the idea of a drop in–accepting a newborn who is waiting at the hospital, often leaving the family with only hours to prepare.
That’s when Courtney B. got involved. She went to the CPO offices and collected several Life Books of waiting families that were willing to accept a drop in, and headed to the hospital.
At the hospital, Courtney was introduced to the birthmother, K*, and her mom. Soon, other CPO volunteers arrived to help. Stephanie came and so did Ana S. K and her mother were very grateful for the quick action of CPO volunteers, and commented several times on their professionalism and their genuine desire to help.
Courtney had already given them the Life Books, and when they called Courtney, Stephanie and Ana back into the room, they were very secure in their decision. They had found something in common with their chosen family on almost every page. “It was a God thing, for sure,” says Ana.
Once the adoptive family had been chosen, it was time to let them know that they had a new baby boy waiting for them at the hospital.
Abby B. and her family were in Kansas City. They had attended a music festival that weekend and were almost ready to head home when the phone rang. Their young daughter had been lamenting that all the fun was over, but little did she know it was just about to begin. Abby answered the phone and was informed by Stephanie that there was a baby boy waiting for them at the hospital in Tulsa. He would be released to go home the next day.
“I asked [Stephanie] if she was serious. I know they don’t just call to joke about these things, but… you know,” says Abby. She hung up the phone and told her husband and daughter, and the packing frenzy began.
As soon as they had packed up everything, they started the drive toward their new baby. “That was the longest car ride ever from Kansas City. I’m a musician, so I always have music, but I didn’t even think about turning it on.” On the way home, they considered possible names for the new baby boy, made plans for Annabelle to spend the night with a friend, and mulled over the logistics of how to gather all the needed supplies within 24 hours.
When they arrived at the hospital, they met K and her mom. They talked about the baby, and discussed possible names. When they got to “Max Andrew” on the list, everyone involved thought that name was the best. Soon, Max was brought in to the hospital room and introduced to his new parents. Abby says, “God really has a strange (to us, at least) way of working things out, down to the details. It’s a good thing He’s in charge.”
Meanwhile, Laura, the volunteer who put this amazing story in motion, continued with her plans for the day. Because of her, Abby and her family have a new little guy hanging around, and K has begun attending the weekly support meetings offered at CPO. “I’m glad to be able to help out in a small way,” says Laura. But at CPO, no volunteer’s efforts are “small”. They all have the potential to have a MAXimum outcome.
This job is important, because crisis pregnancies don’t keep banker’s hours. Women and girls often need someone to talk to in the early morning after their positive pregnancy test, or in the evening after arguing with an unsupportive family member, or in the middle of the night after losing sleep over the fear of the major life change occurring in their bodies. If we don’t answer the phones, especially in this technologically-driven day and age, the prevalent instant gratification mentality might lead a worried girl to just call someone else on the Google search page. Of course, CPO doesn’t want that to happen, because we’ve then lost the opportunity to change a life and minister to her.
When Laura’s phone rang this time, it wasn’t a worried girl or a scared woman. It was a social worker, calling from the hospital where a new baby had just been born the night before. The social worker informed Laura that the birthmother had chosen to make an adoption plan. Based on the birthmother’s request, the social worker called our number first, and Laura was there to answer the call.
“It was a pretty exciting thing, I’ve never had a call like that before,” says Laura. She took the basic information from the social worker, assured her that someone else from CPO would be calling back very soon, and hung up. Laura then made another simple phone call to set off a chain reaction of volunteer efforts that ultimately changed the lives of many people.
Stephanie J. was the assistant “on call” that day. Like all of us, Stephanie’s efforts with CPO are completely volunteer-based; she receives no salary. But she’s been involved with CPO for 8 years now, and she currently holds the position of Assistant to the Executive Director. Stephanie is actually one of several assistants; they are the volunteers who are directly involved in bringing adoptive families and birthmothers together.
Stephanie got the information from Laura, and then immediately called the social worker. She got as much information from the social worker as possible, and then set to work. First, she sent a text to the other assistants asking for the names of waiting families who were open to the idea of a drop in–accepting a newborn who is waiting at the hospital, often leaving the family with only hours to prepare.
That’s when Courtney B. got involved. She went to the CPO offices and collected several Life Books of waiting families that were willing to accept a drop in, and headed to the hospital.
At the hospital, Courtney was introduced to the birthmother, K*, and her mom. Soon, other CPO volunteers arrived to help. Stephanie came and so did Ana S. K and her mother were very grateful for the quick action of CPO volunteers, and commented several times on their professionalism and their genuine desire to help.
Courtney had already given them the Life Books, and when they called Courtney, Stephanie and Ana back into the room, they were very secure in their decision. They had found something in common with their chosen family on almost every page. “It was a God thing, for sure,” says Ana.
Once the adoptive family had been chosen, it was time to let them know that they had a new baby boy waiting for them at the hospital.
Abby B. and her family were in Kansas City. They had attended a music festival that weekend and were almost ready to head home when the phone rang. Their young daughter had been lamenting that all the fun was over, but little did she know it was just about to begin. Abby answered the phone and was informed by Stephanie that there was a baby boy waiting for them at the hospital in Tulsa. He would be released to go home the next day.
“I asked [Stephanie] if she was serious. I know they don’t just call to joke about these things, but… you know,” says Abby. She hung up the phone and told her husband and daughter, and the packing frenzy began.
As soon as they had packed up everything, they started the drive toward their new baby. “That was the longest car ride ever from Kansas City. I’m a musician, so I always have music, but I didn’t even think about turning it on.” On the way home, they considered possible names for the new baby boy, made plans for Annabelle to spend the night with a friend, and mulled over the logistics of how to gather all the needed supplies within 24 hours.
When they arrived at the hospital, they met K and her mom. They talked about the baby, and discussed possible names. When they got to “Max Andrew” on the list, everyone involved thought that name was the best. Soon, Max was brought in to the hospital room and introduced to his new parents. Abby says, “God really has a strange (to us, at least) way of working things out, down to the details. It’s a good thing He’s in charge.”
Meanwhile, Laura, the volunteer who put this amazing story in motion, continued with her plans for the day. Because of her, Abby and her family have a new little guy hanging around, and K has begun attending the weekly support meetings offered at CPO. “I’m glad to be able to help out in a small way,” says Laura. But at CPO, no volunteer’s efforts are “small”. They all have the potential to have a MAXimum outcome.
*The names of the women CPO helps are always redacted for privacy purposes.