Ashley & Haylee’s Story
The work we do takes us all over South Jersey. Sometimes during these travels God will put us in the path of someone that needs our help and service. That is what happened about two years ago to Mary Anne. While working with another client, she met a Joe and Nicole, a couple in Joseph’s House, a shelter in Camden. When Mary Anne talked to them, they told her that they had three children in foster care but were working tirelessly to reunite their family. Mary Anne was impressed by their heart and their story and immediately took them under her wing. After much hard work, they have successfully gotten custody of their three boys back and the family is doing great! The kids are thrilled to be back with Mommy and Daddy and this couple have become near and dear to us. In return for our ongoing help, Joe often helps us deliver food from the NJ Touch Food Bank to some of our clients, as well as move furniture and other things. While he was carrying food boxes one day, Joe met a special woman. This woman, Ashley, was pregnant and appeared to need help, so he told her about what our organization does and gave Ashley our contact information. A few weeks passed before Ashley called. When she did, she explained to Mary Anne that she needed some help obtaining documents. This is one of Mary Anne’s specialties. She knows her way around government agencies and state programs! Through their many rides to the social security agency and other facilities, Mary Anne learned that Ashley was in an abusive relationship.
Unfortunately, we come across this often and our advice is always the same…we encourage the young mothers to get out of the situation. Thankfully, with our support, Ashley eventually did. During our months working with her we helped supply her with rent money, furniture and monthly bus passes. We also introduced Ashley to Family Options, our wonderful Adoption Agency partner. After many talks and a lot of prayer, Ashley made the courageous decision to place her baby for adoption. She was able to personally choose the baby’s parents, and make a huge sacrifice for the betterment of her child.
The beautiful baby girl was born on April 22nd, weighing 5 pounds and 5 ounces. She was named Haylee Dream. The adoptive parents’ said their prayers had been answered and that God led them to their beautiful daughter who they simply cherish!
The Helpers and Family Options are still in contact with Ashley and helping her to move forward in her life. Adoption is not the easy decision, but sometimes it is the right one. We praise Ashley for her courage and love.
“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works,which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” Ephesians2:10