Each month we will feature a “retro” CPO article, one that is pulled from our archives of quarterly newsletters. Whenever possible we will provide details regarding the author and date of publication.
This month’s Retro CPO article was written by Cheryl Bauman, our founder and executive director. It was written in winter of 2009, and explains our need for volunteers… something we still always need!
This past year is the busiest that we have ever had at CPO. We have had so many girls come to us with absolutely nothing. They had no clothing, no personal care items, no cars, no places to live, and no families. The most painful part to see, however, is how emotionally and spiritually bankrupt they have been. Most of these girls are very convinced that they are worth “nothing,” and that they probably have deserved the abuse they have received at the hands of their parents or boyfriends. That breaks my heart – and I know it breaks God’s heart, too.
We all try to take part in the “damage control” that must be done. We give each girl unconditional love and acceptance and tell her how much we love her and how much God loves her. It often takes months for the girls to accept this truth. After having been abused by an earthly father, trusting a Heavenly Father that they cannot even see is a big leap for many of them. A very large percentage of our girls come to us addicted to drugs. Satan wants to keep them entrapped in that culture, and uses all of their “friends” to lure them back. That is when we lean heavily on our CPO mentors to come alongside these girls and let them see how real friends treat them.
This ministry has become multi-faceted, over the years , as we have constantly added new areas. It is only because of YOU that we are able to “be here” for these precious girls. Right now, we are in need of:
- Your fervent prayers for those of us in leadership positions in CPO, and for the young women we serve.
- Your financial support
- Godly women who can be a special friend and “mentor” to one of our girls
- Women who can drive our girls to their many appointments with the doctor, attorney, counselor, and support group. This need is desperate and ongoing.
- Maternity clothing, women’s clothing, baby and children’s clothing
- Baby equipment
- Host homes who will allow a pregnant girl to live with them
- Help with mailing
- Help with the showers we provide for each birth mom and parenting mom
- Help with picking up donated items
- Help with fundraisers
I pray that God would speak to you regarding one of these areas. As you know, we are ALL volunteers at CPO. None of us take any financial compensation. We need MANY MORE VOLUNTEERS!!!
May God bless you, abundantly, as you consider the needs of these young women and their little ones. It will never be enough to talk about the problems with adoption. We must provide a loving alternative. Initially, these girls need “God with skin on.” You could be that person to one of these girls.
