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Dear Friends,
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to our Mary's Shelter community of family and friends. We have much to be proud of as we reflect on the past year of this crucial ministry. We have met and overcome many challenges through your generous support.
At Mary’s Shelter, we try to prepare for the future as much as possible. Since the need for shelter and assistance was so great over the last couple of years, we expected an increased need for rooms this year as well. Through the generous support of our donors in the Mary’s Shelter community, we purchased our third and fourth homes, a duplex near our current homes. As anticipated, these new homes filled up with new residents very quickly! Since we are one of the only shelters that takes in mothers of multiple children, we are currently sheltering many families, including 2 large families!
Just recently we assisted a woman who found herself in a very unexpected crisis. This young mom, who was visiting Fredericksburg from New York for a baby shower, went into preterm labor and delivered a 24-week child, who needed to stay in the local NICU. The Sisters of Life reached out to Mary’s Shelter, and, because of your generous donations, we are providing her with a home, clothes, and food until her child is released from the hospital.
In addition to an increased need for housing, we are fielding more and more requests for our community respite program. Our respite program is in place to provide funding and support for mothers who do not necessarily need shelter. We are so humbled that we can help so many mothers from different walks of life.
I am proud to boast of the hard-working, dedicated staff who serve the many pregnant women seeking shelter. The staff at Mary’s Shelter work tirelessly behind the scenes, providing endless love and care for our residents. Their efforts far exceed how they are financially compensated. Many, if not all, started out as volunteers, and because of their deep conviction about how Mary’s Shelter is saving and changing lives, they have joined us as staff members. In addition to our director, case workers, office staff, and house mothers, we are blessed by numerous volunteers providing hospitality and education to our residents.
Thank you for your generous support this past year. The economic uncertainties of 2022 have been a hardship for all of us, and so we appreciate your generosity even more. I pray that we will all experience God’s providential love and support this coming year. I look forward to continuing on this journey with you and the staff of Mary's Shelter as we all defend the sanctity of life.
God bless you and your family in 2023.
In Christ,
Mark Ivory, President of the Board
Mary's Shelter VA
