From the Director’s Desk

The Women's Resource Center

announces the appointment of

Sheryl Hatcher as their new

Executive Director! Sheryl

brings years of experience,

having served under four pre-

vious directors and on the

board of directors at various

times since 1991.

I am struck by these words as I sit

here contemplating my first two

weeks as executive director of the

WRC and note the many changes

that have taken place since I first

served in this ministry 27 years

ago. No one person can be credit-

ed with the progress of this minis-

try. It has truly been a group ef-

fort of directors, staff, volunteers,

board members, along with givers

of time, donations,

and spiritual sup-

port. A “together”

work of God’s love

that I am honored to

join.

This ministry owes so much to the

team of dedicated and loyal Chris-

tian women who serve here as

volunteers and staff. I am having

to work hard to be worthy to serve

with them. They show such com-

passion as they bring help and

hope to our clients. I would like

you to know these women and

their stories. That is why I will be

featuring them in our newsletters

with the hope that their devotion

will inspire others to serve here as

well. In this issue, you will meet

Tami Takes - a whirlwind of activi-

ty in the center, Melissa Remo - a

compassionate counselor, and

La’Justice Johnson - our past

Spring NSU intern. Without faith-

ful volunteers there is no way we

could continue to operate, serving

up to 400 clients

per year. And there

is much to do

around here with

the Celebration of

Life Gala just

around the corner. I

hope all of you have your tickets

in hand and are ready for an

evening of entertainment, fellow-

ship, and good food. I look forward

to meeting every one of you!

Blessings,

SUMMER | 2018

“THIS PREGNANCY CARE MEDICAL CLINIC EXISTS TO EDUCATE

AND EMPOWER INDIVIDUALS TO MAKE LIFE AFFIRMING CHOICES. ”

“ALONE WE CAN DO SO

LITTLE; TOGETHER WE

CAN DO SO MUCH.”

~ HELEN KELLER

2018 Annual Fundraising Gala

Gordon Douglas has a unique

ability to mix comedy with minis-

try to connect with everyone from

teenagers to senior citizens. His

comedy program mixes real life

stories with “off the wall” physical

comedy and his own hilarious view

of life. He helps us see the funny

things all around us and find joy

no matter what we are going

through.

But he is more than funny! With

genuine humility, honesty, and

passion Gordon often weaves life

lessons into his programs of the

things he’s learned in the ordinary

and often painful events in his life

that include some tragic deaths,

his wife’s victorious battle with

cancer, and his dad’s many years

confined to a wheelchair.

His unique home includes 5 chil-

dren of their own, two prisoners

under house arrest, a Downs-

syndrome brother in law, several

missionaries, and a few other boys

they took in. This provides Gor-

don with hours of comedy material

and inspiration for living life to the

fullest.

Celebration of

Thursday, September 27th Purpose:

Major Fundraising event of the year.

Keynote Speaker: Gordon Douglas

Time and Place: Natchitoches Events Center

5:30pm

Meet & Greet with hors d’oeuvres & photos

6:30pm

Program Starts

After Program Buffet: Caterer: Lasyone’s Restaurant

Tickets: $25.00 per person to the public

Sponsorship Levels Thank you for your sponsorship. This contribution is tax deductible. Please

complete and return this page to our office.

Diamond $________

Platinum $________

Gold $________

Silver $________

Bronze $________

Friend $________

( $5,000 or more)

( $2,500 or more)

( $1,000 or more)

( $500 or more)

( $250 or more)

( $100 or more)

Name of Individual: _________________________________ Ph: _____________________

Business or Organization: ____________________________ Email: ___________________

Contact Person: ___________________ Address: ___________________________________

Please show how you would like your listing in program and publicity:

_________________________________________________________

A BIG PART OF OUR MINISTRY IS PROVIDING OUR CLIENTS WITH NEEDED BABY SUP-

PLIES SUCH AS DIAPERS, WIPES, CLOTHING, BABY FOOD, FORMULA AND EQUIP-

MENT. WE COULDN’T DO THIS WITHOUT GENEROUS DONATIONS. WE ACCEPT ANY

NEW OR GENTLY USED ITEMS THAT CAN BE USED FOR BABIES & TODDLERS. YOUR

SUPPORT MAKES A DIFFERENCE TO OUR CLIENTS & THEIR FAMILIES!

Monique Armstead ........... Baby clothes & supplies

Beka Aultman ........................................... Clothing

Cristin Axsom .................................... Baby formula

Hanna Barker ............... Diapers & baby equipment

BeLoved Ladies Group ..............Baby Supply Drive Children & Family Studies .......... Baby supply drive

Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints ...... Diapers, blankets, supplies

Christian Women on Mission ...... Baby supply drive

Caitlin Cummings ............ Baby clothing & supplies

Joan Dahlem ............... Baby supplies & equipment

Linda Davis .............................................. Clothing

Rebecca Delacerda ....... Baby clothes & equipment

Amanda Dollar ............................. Swing & diapers

Cody & Jenie Evans .................................. Diapers

Joy Garcia ......................................... Baby clothes

Charlie Grant .................. Baby equipment, clothing

Haley Graves .................. Baby clothing & supplies

Bennie Darrel Harsell ............................... Clothing

Mary Houston, ................................. Baby clothing

Elizabeth Howard ............................ Baby supplies

Nicole Hullender ................................. Infant carrier

Ashley Johnson ................................. Baby formula

Hollie Jones ............................. Baby food & cereal

Donation of Supplies - Thank You!

Christian Kirkindoll ................... Baby food & cereal

Casey LaCaze ......................... Baby food & cereal

Les Amies Service Organization .........Supply drive

Erimy Mackey ........................ Baby food & clothing

Jon & Carmella McCart .................... Glider Rocker

Pam Moore ....................................... Baby clothing

Natchitoches Young Professionals ..... Supply Drive

Old Bethel Baptist Church ... Handmade baby quilts

Kirby Peddy ..................................... Baby supplies

Raven Phillips ................ Baby food and equipment

Mary Pool ................. Formula, clothing, & supplies

Nanya Powell......................................Baby Cereal

Henry Rachal ................................................. Toys

Sonya Rainey ........................................ Baby food

Alisha Roberson ............................... Baby clothing

Destiny Sales................................Baby equipment

Tammy Smith .............. Formula, food & equipment

Delayzha Sweet ....................... Car seat & clothing

Rose Toussaint ............... Baby equipment & cereal

United Baptist Church ................ Baby supply drive

Walmart Natchitoches ..... Clothing & baby supplies

Yeshia White .................................. Car seat cover

Julie Williams-Robinson .... Baby clothes & supplies

Zeta Phi Beta Sorority ........... Food pantry donation

DONATIONS & GIFTS

DATE GIVEN BY NAME June 3rd Kathy Bostick Memory of: Sampson

June 6th Ashley Orr

June 12th Sally Pearson Memory of: John Pearson

June 16th Michele Pierson Memory of: Jim Pierson

August 1st Wynne Taylor Honor of: Ana Sophia

August 12th Mary Lu Wilkerson Honor of: Grandson, Liam Patrick Clancy

August 22nd Melody Murchison Memory of: Mother, Ida Elaine Smith

August 31st Ron & Leta Brown Memory of: Leta’s father, Alton L. Townsend

You can secure the operation of the WRC for one day this year and at the same time

choose the day that is special to you in some way in Honor or Memory of a loved one.

Your gift can be made at $30 each month, or the single amount of $360 for the year.

The Baby Bottle Campaign is an easy and

fun way for your church or group to give to

the Women’s Resource Center! We provide

you with as many bottles as you need, bulle-

tin inserts, posters, and a step-by-step guide

for how the Campaign works. You distribute

the bottles – one to each person, group, or

family – to be filled with coins, cash, or

checks.

When you return the filled bottles to the WRC, we’ll count the contents and let

you know how much your church or group raised! The Campaign can bring

some significant support for the women & children we serve.

The Baby Bottle campaign provides an opportunity to

teach children the value of life. How would you like

your children to learn that they can make a difference

for life right now, right where they are? By filling

their bottles with loose change, kids become engaged

in a practical, hands-on way to serve those in need.

You can teach this valuable lesson with something as

simple as a baby bottle! The WRC’s Baby Bottle Cam-

paign is the perfect way to teach your children about

the value of life and generosity.

What is the

Baby Bottle Campaign

and how does it work?

KIDS CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE!

BABY BOTTLE OUTREACH Gifts in Loving Memory & Honor

COME BY OR CALL OUR OFFICE FOR BOTTLES & RESOURCES!

Tami Takes - Front desk, Wednesdays

I became aware of the WRC through the St. Mary’s School ‘Baby Shower for Jesus’. I have always volunteered at my children’s school. When my youngest son went to college, I was looking for somewhere else to spend my time. I first came to the WRC to donate baby blankets that I crocheted. When I came back a second time, I asked if they needed volunteers. I have been at the WRC for 4 1/2 years working at the front desk and helping however I can. I continue to crochet for the WRC and have made 46 baby blankets. I think of my time volunteering at the WRC as a way to thank God for the blessing of having been a stay-at-home mom all the years my boys were growing up. I enjoy serving at the WRC and especially working with the wonderful, caring ladies who have taught me so much. My favorite part of this ministry is all the educational material the center provides to the clients. I pray that the WRC continues to help improve the lives of the women and babies of this com-munity and surrounding areas.

La’Justice served as a full time in-

tern from the Family and Consum-

er Science Department at North-

western State University this past

Spring Semester. She was an

amazing help in all areas at the

WRC. She graduated from NSU

and is currently in the process of

building and owning her own day-

care center in Coushatta. While

her business is in the developmen-

tal stage, she is continuing to work

at the WRC doing Home Visits on

Wednesdays.

Melissa Remo Peer Counselor, Thursdays

La’Justice Johnson

Home Visit Counselor & Spring Intern

My journey with the Women’s Resource Center began in 2003. I began as a peer counselor but faced some medical issues during my pregnancy and did not return for several years. After some time, I returned to serve as Administra-tive Assistant under administrator Judy Sluppick during our transition from Crisis Pregnancy Center to a complete Preg-nancy Help Medical Clinic. It was wonderful to be involved in this transition, and to see the way God blesses the work He has ordained. When my daughter began school, I returned to my career as

a Respiratory Therapist and for a period of several years was away from the Center again. It was during this time that some traumatic life events led to a period of darkness in my life. It was after this period of great darkness that Christ called me back into His light. I will not revisit this time, other than to say that my God is able to do exceeding abundantly more than we could ever ask or think (Eph. 3:20) and whom the Son sets free is free indeed (Jn. 8:36). With my new-found hope in Christ, and with the understanding that there are so many women within our community without hope, I returned to the counseling room in 2015. This time I had a new understanding and relatability with my clients. I had found the hope that so many of them had lost and I was able to share it with those who needed it most. That is what we are all called to do; share the light of the One Who has called us out of darkness (1 Pet. 2:9). The Women’s Resource Center is so much more to me than a Pregnancy Help Clinic, it provides

vital support to every woman who enters the doors. We offer support for the pregnant client as

well as the client who simply needs help in learning how to make better lifestyle decisions, taking

charge of her physical, emotional and spiritual health. We provide education and most importantly

love to each client we see. Why do I volunteer at the Women’s Resource Center? This is the

legacy I want to pass on to my daughter and to all the sons and daughters of Natchitoches: “Dear

friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God.”(1 Jn. 4:7).

We would love to have you! There

are many ways to be involved at

the WRC. No amount of service is

too small and no experience re-

quired - just a willing heart. Call

our office today to set up a tour

and application packet pick-up or

visit our website for more info:

http://www.wrcfriends.com/volunteer_wrc

Interested in Volunteering?

Volunteer Spotlight

Community Connections

Clara Springs Baptist invited the WRC to their

4th Friday Fish Fry to set up and talk about our Center. We collected

baby supplies and donations from the generous attendees.

During the summer, the Youth at

Robeline First Baptist Church volunteered at the

Women’s Resource Center as one of their local

mission projects. They worked so hard doing

yard work, sorting baby items, and organizing

and re-stocking supply closets. It was truly a

blessing having them come and make our Center

look and function better!

Robeline First Baptist Youth

WRC was one of the grant recipients from United Way

Natchitoches Police Dept. “Mustaches for a Cause”

$5,000 Diamond Sponsorship for Celebration of Life Gala from Knights of Columbus #1357

Clara Springs 4th Friday Fish Fry

Les Amies presents $750 Celebration of Life Gala Silver Sponsorship

We were invited to attend a Pro Life March in Many, LA over Mother’s Day Weekend

OUR BABIES BORN THIS SUMMER

Martin Aviles, M.D.

MEDICAL DIRECTOR:

107 NORTH STREET

NATCHITOCHES, LA 71457

Non-Profit Organization

Permit 400

US Postage Paid

Natchitoches, LA

RETURN SERVICE

CALL : 318.357 .8888 TEXT :318 .527.0010 OR V IS IT : WRCFRIENDS.COM

BOARD OF DIRECTORS: STAFF:

Sheryl Hatcher - Executive Director

Carol Green - R.N. Nurse Manager

Terri Ruck - Client Service Manager

Danette Westfall - Office Manager