An Unexpected Hope

Like many young couples who fall in love, get married, and dream of having a family together, Nick and Nikki were no different. They married in June of 2007 believing their dream of having children would soon follow. What followed instead were the heartache, pain, and struggle of infertility.

As the couple sought God to bring healing and understanding, they were given the hope of adoption. God led them to St. Elizabeth|Coleman Pregnancy & Adoption Services, an agency that maintains Nick and Nikki’s essential value system – and they were encouraged by the beautiful gift they could give and receive through adoption. The true emotional journey began when they were placed on St. Elizabeth|Coleman’s adoption waiting list. Knowing God had called them to be parents; Nick and Nikki simply had to wait on His perfect timing.

Nikki still recalls the immense joy and tears they experienced the day “the call” came. They had been selected by a birthmother to forever care for her precious baby girl – a girl we would name Addison. The couple met Addison’s birthmother while she was still pregnant – a truly remarkable experience. Less than two months later, their beautiful daughter entered the world. They celebrated and cherished the moments with Addison’s birth family, excited about the future ahead.

Eighteen months later, Nick and Nikki were hopeful to give Addison a sibling and were placed onto St. Elizabeth|Coleman’s adoption waiting list once more. Fully expecting to be on the waiting list for a long time, they were pleasantly surprised to be selected as parents of a baby boy just one month later. Nick and Nikki were overjoyed all the more to spend quality time with their son’s birthmother before his delivery, including attending birthing classes. Addison was excited to have a baby brother and even helped get his room ready. Soon, their beautiful son, Aiden, was added to the family.

Through all the emotional ups and downs, Nick and Nikki are so thankful to have St. Elizabeth|Coleman to support them. They were not only prepared for adoption, but they also help their family stay connected to the two amazing birthmothers of their children. They never imagined the great blessing God would bring through the pain of infertility.

For more information about the compassionate services of St. Elizabeth|Coleman, please visit GivingBirthToHope.org.

St. Elizabeth's: Providing a Home and Hope

Young women come to St. Elizabeth's from many different situations. Often it is to escape an abusive relationship with a boyfriend or a parent. We are a safe haven for those with nowhere else to go…and recently, we became such a place for Shelly.

Shelly was 19 when she became pregnant and decided to leave an abusive relationship in order to pursue a healthy future for her child. Alone, and scared for the health of her baby, Shelly moved into the waiting room of a local hospital. Having medical care nearby gave her some sense of comfort in the event that something happened. For two months, Shelly moved from waiting area to waiting area so as not to be discovered by the hospital staff. Fortunately, Shelly came across the number for a crisis pregnancy center and called, desperate for a place to stay for the remainder of her pregnancy.

She was referred to St. Elizabeth's and moved in the very afternoon she called us for help. During this time Shelly had a home, a safe place to sleep and eat, and prepare for the birth of her child. She formed positive friendships with the other residents facing similar situations, as well as with the house parents who offered support and guidance.

St. Elizabeth's offers a home and source of hope to dozens of young, scared, pregnant women each year through the Maternity and Transition homes. Women like Shelly with nowhere to go and no one to care for them during this stressful and uncertain time. St. Elizabeth's compassionately provides help and creates hope for women in “hopeless” situations day in and day out.

For more information, call 800-227-3002 or visit StElizabethCatholicCharities.org.

Choosing Life

On a Sunday afternoon, St. Elizabeth|Coleman received a phone call from a volunteer counselor at a Pregnancy Resource Agency who had been working with a teenage girl who was seven months pregnant. The 16 year-old girl, Theresa, lived in a small Hispanic community where her father held a significant position within their church. Because an out-of-wedlock birth would be a disgrace to her family, Theresa had been hiding her pregnancy from her parents and others. The young girl feared for her life if her father were to find out about her pregnancy. So, Theresa expressed an interest in placing her child for adoption.

Theresa had a very limited support system during her pregnancy. Thankfully, her Birthmother Counselor, a small handful of friends, and the high school staff provided her the support she so desperately needed and deserved. With the help of St. Elizabeth|Coleman, Theresa had a new support system and was able to receive prenatal care and counseling. Theresa safely delivered a healthy baby boy at a local hospital where she was able to meet the adoptive couple. 

Months after her delivery, the Birthmother counselor continues to provide counseling and support to Theresa on an ongoing basis. Theresa has returned to her normal school activities and is looking forward to graduating from high school. Updates about her baby from the adoptive couple are treasured by young Theresa, who remains pleased with her decision to choose life and place her child for adoption. She is very happy to know her baby is well taken care of and loved by the adoptive family.

For more information about the services and programs of St. Elizabeth|Coleman, please visit GivingBirthToHope.org.