Crisis Pregnancy Outreach has been 100% run by volunteers since its inception more than 30 years ago. No one has ever received a salary, which enables CPO to make an even bigger difference in the lives of Tulsa area women. We know that volunteers matter, and to honor them we periodically interview and highlight one of our volunteers.
This week we learn about Christina Domer, a very valued CPO volunteer.
Q: In what ways do you volunteer at CPO?
A: In the past I have answered phones in the office on a bi-monthly schedule, sent out monthly donation receipts and thank you notes, and most recently worked alongside Cheryl and some other great gals as an adoption assistant. This has given me the opportunity to work closely with some of our birth moms, those making adoptions plans and those wanting assistance to parent. I also mentor a few waiting families as they navigate this journey of adoption.
Q: How long have you been volunteering with us?
A: I have been involved with CPO since we first turned in our adoption application in February 2011.
Q: How did you find out about CPO?
A: When we knew it was time to adopt everyone in our church family said, “CPO!!!”
Q: Why did you choose to volunteer at CPO versus other organizations? What is it about crisis pregnancies that drew you to us?
A: Obviously, I came to CPO because we wanted to adopt (and I had to get my required hours in!), but I STAYED because I believe so strongly in this ministry of helping women in crisis!
Q: Why is our cause so close to your heart?
A: See above! Plus, as an adopted child who never knew her birth mother, I love being able to minister to birth moms and by doing so I feel like I am, in a way, ministering to my OWN birth mom. I also believe in OPEN ADOPTION. My son’s birth mom is now a member of our family and I’m so glad we have such a great open adoption!
Q: What have you learned about yourself since you began volunteering?
A: I had no idea what some of these girls go through before they get to us. I really have a better empathy towards them. I thought it would be hard for me to minister to these girls in crisis pregnancy because of my own infertility, but I have not found that to be true. God’s grace is evident in my life every day and He has been able to use me to show these girls HIS GREAT GRACE.
Q: How have you seen God’s hand at work in the ministry of CPO?
A: Phone volunteers are SO SO SO important! Our birth mother was on her way home from a scheduled abortion that she could NOT go through with. (That is a fabulous story for another day!) She googled “adoption Tulsa” on her phone and started calling down the list of numbers that came up. We were not the first number that came up, but we WERE the first to ANSWER her call. She came in THAT day and started getting the help she needed and chose us within days! God was writing a fabulous story in her life and He still is!
Q: What would you say to anyone who may be considering becoming involved with CPO?
A: I’ve been thinking a LOT lately about how every election cycle we get all huffy about “VOTING PRO-LIFE”. I am absolutely pro-life, but we can’t just sit on our couches preaching against abortion when we aren’t DOING something to help these women have a better option. CPO is giving women better choices for themselves. So don’t just VOTE pro-life, ACT pro-life. Give, volunteer, make CPO continue to work for these women in crisis pregnancies.
Thanks again to Christina Domer for being a dedicated CPO volunteer!