Moms and dads often feel a unique kind of stress and other unexpected changes even if they have a great support system, but unplanned pregnancies can definitely increase the challenges for parents. The Gabriel Project helps connect parents to help and resources immediately and for free.
Whether it is emotional, material, spiritual, or educational, volunteers with the Gabriel Project connect members of the local parish—St. Paul Catholic Church—to all people regardless of their faith that need a helping hand during pregnancy. No one is turned away and can access it confidentially at 844-201-0317 24 hours a day, 365 days a year (in English and Spanish). Within 24 hours after calling, a local volunteer reaches out.
“Even if you’re in a very good relationship and have support and everything, being pregnant is difficult. And if you have anything that’s not quite right or you don’t have support, or you don’t have the money or you don’t have things for the baby, then it becomes much more difficult and we do have people that fall into that category,” explained Norla Draper, St. Paul’s local coordinator for the Gabriel Project.
Draper explained that many times couples or moms, whether they have other children already or they are having their first child, need someone to connect with that can help them find a doctor, find supplies for the baby, or even just listen and be a mentor.
The Gabriel Project has been around for decades as a national parish-based assistance resource, but St. Paul’s started working with the organization in order to help local families that they saw that may be in need around 2016.
According to Draper the pandemic put a halt to many of the services and connections for people, but they hope to make a strong comeback and help as many people as parents as possible.
Unfortunately, rates of poverty among rural families, especially those that are headed by a single parent, notably single moms, is above 25 percent, according to reports by the U.S. Census Bureau.
The stats alone are reason enough for the community to want to be involved, but the emotional connection and satisfaction that both parents and volunteers can feel through the program can change lives and is invaluable to both.
For those wanting to volunteer, they should email nnvgabrielproject@gmail.com. Draper said that “When we need help [with volunteers] we get a really good turnout…This is lending a helping hand emotionally and materially. This is open to all faiths and all peoples, we’re just here to help,” said Draper.