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 hear from a dedicated volunteer, Aubrey Green.
Q: How do you volunteer with CPO?
A: I work in the office twice a month, bring snacks for various groups and meetings, helped with the Superhero Run. I’ve wanted to help with newsletter mailing days and other random things, but the timing just hasn’t worked out yet.
Q: How long have you been volunteering with us?
A: I’ve volunteered since August of last year, so about a year. Feels like longer! 🙂
Q: How did you find out about CPO?
A: My husband and I were looking into an international adoption, and had even gotten started on that process, but we weren’t completely comfortable with the way it was working. We began looking around for a local option, something more ministry focused. A family member mentioned they had heard of CPO and we should check them out. Then later that week a guy in my husband’s carpool mentioned they were adopting through CPO. We went online and read, studied and practically memorized the website, dropped into the office to look around and make sure these people weren’t too “crazy or weird” and talked with a couple of other volunteers before we finally submitted our application and got on board.
Q: Why did you choose to volunteer with CPO vs other organizations? What is it about CPO that drew you to us?
A: Gotta be honest, we are required to volunteer a certain number of hours before our adoption is finalized, so that was part of it. (I’m sorry, but that’s the ONLY reason I made it down to the Superhero Run when it was 30º and sleeting! LOL ) But the mission of CPO and how they came to be really speaks to my heart. There are plenty of Christians and churches talking about how horrible abortion is, but few of them ever go beyond the talk to do anything else, to offer an alternative. Even fewer show love and compassion to the women and girls who find themselves in such a difficult situation that abortion seems the only option. CPO does just that, offering a host of services and aids to assist both those who want to parent or those who feel an adoption plan is best for their child. This isn’t an adoption agency, this is a place of help and hope for people in scary and sometimes impossible circumstances. I want to be a part of that.
Q: Why is our cause so close to your heart?
A: My estranged older sister had an abortion when I was about 12 and I saw the damage it did to her, physically but especially emotionally. She very nearly committed suicide as a result. When she became pregnant again several years later she went to have another, but couldn’t go through with it. She then made an adoption plan, but ultimately decided to parent. That hasn’t necessarily been the best the thing. If she had had the support and help of a group like CPO around her maybe things would have been different and better. I’ve not gotten to love and help her, but I can love and help others in similar situations. I can help do for these daughters and sisters what I wish someone else had done for mine.
Q: What have you learned about yourself since volunteering?
A: I’ve learned reaching outside yourself can be really scary and nerve wracking, but when push comes to shove, it’s not that bad. The fear of what if – What if I tell someone the wrong info? What if I’m not helpful at all? What if what I’m doing really doesn’t make any difference after all? – is much worse than what actually is. And besides, if I’m working for God, which is my ultimate aim anyway, then I just have to be available and do my best; the results are all on Him. That’s pretty liberating!
Q: How have you seen God’s hand at work through CPO?
A: I’ve not yet gotten to personally see Him move, but I’ve heard plenty of stories from birth moms and adoptive families about how He’s worked and timed things so well. That’s encouraging, even if I’ve not seen it first hand yet.
Q: What would you say to anyone considering becoming involved in CPO?
A: Do it! Don’t wait, act now!! Office workers are standing by to take your call!!! No, seriously, you should really jump in and help. You’ll never find another group of people so committed to loving those in need or a group that makes such a long-term difference in so many lives. And there are so many various ways to get involved and help, way more than just the little bit I do right now. Anyone considering it should absolutely join in.
