VOLUME XX, ISSUE I SPRING 2012 Carolyn’s Voice

Mission Statement “Love one another” (John 13:34) Carolyn’s Place Pregnancy Care Center is a ministry committed to empowering indi- CAROLYN’S PLACE, INC. viduals, through education, comfort, and assistance, to make life choices related to PREGNANCY CARE CENTER their sexuality and child-bearing consistent with the sanctity of human life.

College– A “Life Changing” Experience In the United States, 22 percent of all pregnancies (excluding miscarriages) end in abortion.1 Of these abortions, 44 percent are performed on young adults ages 18 to 24.2 In short, college-aged women receive nearly half of all the abortions in the country.

As we face this travesty head-on, we must realize that young women are particularly susceptible to the cunning mar- keting of abortion clinics. As a young woman, she sees motherhood as a death to self—a death to the life that she once knew. The new mother realizes that no matter what choice she makes, her life will never be the same. She must choose: survival of her baby or survival of her old self.

Every person born after 1972 is the survivor of abortion. For a mere $350, each of us could have been aborted. Many of us have seen the tragic aftermath of abortion with its effects on our friends, siblings, roommates, and even mothers. After undergoing abortion, many women will say they were told it was just a “blob of cells,” and that the procedure was simply medical. Other women say they didn’t want to have an abortion, but they didn’t know where to go for help.

Carolyn’s Place has several education programs that we present in the middle schools and high schools regularly. Living in such a high-tech age, we are able to show students exactly what a “fetus” or “preborn baby” looks like. With the data and technology at hand, the question becomes; how do we reach the college population to provide them with the knowledge to make informed and healthy life choices? Further, how do we provide these women with the strength and support needed to not only avoid abortions, but to learn the virtues of self-respect and abstinence until marriage?

The answer lies in the growing ministry of Students for Life of America (SFLA). This small organization began five years ago, under the leadership of their young, energetic Executive Director, Kristan Hawkins. Kristan and her small group of dedicated assistants work with college students to form an SFLA group on their campus. They provide stu- dents (regardless of age) with training and resources they need to successfully build a pro-life group on their college campus. SFLA will give one-on-one support, provide kits, online training, step by step guides, legal help and ongoing ideas and training to maintain the group presence on each college campus. SFLA is a dynamic organization commit- ted to “…end abortion by educating students about the issues of abortion, euthanasia, and infanticide; identifying pro- life student leaders; equipping student pro-lifers with the training, skills and resources to be effective and successful; promoting student activity to other local, college and national organizations.”

This program has been so successful that since its inception in 2006, they have assisted in the formation of an active respect life group on 678 college campuses nationwide! Unfortunately, Students for Life has a presence in only three Connecticut colleges. That is where Carolyn’s Place and YOU can help. Cont. page 2 CAROLYN’S VOICE

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Carolyn’s Place is beginning a new initiative in conjunction with our education programs in order to reach highly vul- nerable college-aged women. SFLA cannot just walk onto a campus and immediately establish a group. They need a student, or students, as a contact person at each college. Once this connection is made, a representative from SFLA will assist the students to form a group which will provide support, strength, and unity for the typically unheard group of pro-life students on campus. Carolyn’s Place will be available to provide resources and a confidential place to seek consultation in the event of an unplanned pregnancy or other sexual health issues. We hope to show these young women the dignity of their life and their unborn child. We also want to provide SFLA with both women and men student contacts to the colleges in an effort to create as many chapters in the state as possible.

Here is where YOU come in. Who do you know in college that would be a possible contact person? Perhaps a child, grandchild, niece, nephew, neighbor, friend, co-worker or even yourself? Speak with this individual about being a part of this exciting group on their campus and have them contact Carolyn’s Place ([email protected] or 203-597- 9050) or contact Students for Life directly at www.studentsforlife.org.

You can help in some way to save lives. Never doubt the difference you can make. Remember and live by the words of Mother Teresa, “Not all of us can do great things. But we can do small things with great love.”

1 Jones RK and Kooistra, K., Abortion incidence and access to services in the United States, 2008, Perspectives on Sexual and Reproductive Health, 2011, 43(1):41-50

2 Jones RK, Finer LB and Singh S, Characteristics of U.S. Abortion Patients, 2008, New York: Guttmacher Institute, 2010.

Celebrating 20 Years of Protecting Life Carolyn’s Place to Mark Second Decade at November 4th Annual Dinner Nearly twenty years ago, a We invite all of our supporters scared new mother made an and friends to share in our joy important decision for her at Carolyn’s Place 20th three-hour old daughter: Life. Anniversary celebration and Annual Dinner to be held on Left in a box to be found in a November 4, 2012. dark church entryway, baby Carolyn Marie and her birth- Additional information about mother unknowingly illustrat- the event will follow in ed the unmet need to support subsequent newsletters. local women with unplanned pregnancies. Since its inception, Carolyn’s Place has encouraged and educated Fr. Robert Rousseau with newborn women to make healthy life Carolyn Marie, found Nov. 4, 1991 in entryway at choices and has saved over St. John the Evangelist Church, Watertown. 1,000 precious lives. VOLUME XX, ISSUE I

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YOU ARE INVITED TO...OUR ANNUAL MEETING

Each year Carolyn’s beginning at 6PM with also look forward to Place provides the a mass celebrated by answering any opportunity for our our founder, Fr. Robert questions and hearing supporters to learn Rousseau. The meeting your comments. Please more about our will be held in the join us, bring a friend, ministry by inviting church hall directly and enjoy a dessert you to join us at our below the church. buffet. ANNUAL MEETING. During this session the This year our meeting Carolyn’s Place Board It’s been 20 YEARS will be held on of Directors and staff and we have much to Wednesday, March will update you on the be proud of and much th 28 at St. John of the year’s activities and to share!! Cross Church in statistics, our plans for Baby Hunter- Age 4 mos. Middlebury (1089 the future and our Whittemore Rd.) financial status. We

New Technology

Carolyn’s Place is OSV because they are a also love to keep in touch excited to announce that faith-based organiza- with you via email. If you our newly designed and tion that promotes and would like to be placed innovative website is up supports our pro-life on our email list please and running! You can values. Contributions email us at access our website at can be made though our [email protected] www.carolynsplace.net. website by both Subject should be: email electronic check and list We are also very happy credit card. You may Visit our to announce that we will also choose to contrib- Don’t forget to visit us on new now be accepting online ute through a one time Facebook! quick account or by website or donations. Our online donations will be setting up an account Like us on processed by the that can be used regu- Facebook! company Our Sunday larly. Visitor (OSV). After much research and Carolyn’s Place would consideration we chose CAROLYN’S VOICE Page 4 Thank You  Thank you Samaritan  Ms. Marlene Yeo- Waterbury for the Stitchers of St. Augus- mans made a finan- donations they tine Church, North cial donation to be collected during their Branford for all of the given to help bring annual Christmas beautiful handmade some Christmas joy party. These items baby items including into a family. Her helped us bring sweaters, hats and blan- generous gift was Christmas joy to our kets. used to help a mother clients.  We are grateful for the with a 3 month old  Thank you to St.  For many years we lovely handmade baby baby boy. Thank you Paul’s Episcopal have been blessed by a blankets stitched lov- so much. Church in Wood- large donation of af- ingly by the members bury for spreading ghans and fleece blan-  Many thanks to Sr. of the Beacon Falls the Christmas spirit kets specially made by Marie Roccapriore Senior Center by collecting baby the employees of IBM for her generous do- items for Carolyn’s in Southbury, with the  We extend a special nation of baby items Place during their leadership of Marie thank you to the women such as clothes, crib Christmas Pageant DePalma. (right) from the Soroptimist sheets and diapers. Int., Waterbury  Mrs. Crowley’s 2nd Each year, many parishes Chapter for donating Grade Class at St. generously donate to Car- toiletries and personal Matthew School, olyn’s Place by hosting care items that we used Forestville donated Advent Giving Trees or as gifts for our moms. ten baskets of baby Christmas collections. The countless number of  We are grateful to Ka- items after our Direc- baby item collected help ren Picard for thinking tor, Ellen spoke with to supply our clients’ of our moms during the the children about  St. Teresa’s Men’s needs for the following Christmas Season with their guardian angels Group of Woodbury year. The items vary from a donation of toiletry and how each of them led by Nick Volkringer diapers and clothing, to items. is a special gift from donated diapers, clothes God. blankets and gift cards. and baby items. Thank  Many thanks to Pam We are sincerely grateful You. Juliano and her friends  Each year Mrs. Gilli- for the overwhelming who took up a collec- gan and her Pre-K generosity of the follow- tion of gift cards which class at Blessed Sac- ing parishes. Thank You! helped 12 of our fami- rament School in  SS. Peter and Paul lies. Waterbury share their love for babies Church, Waterbury  We sincerely appreciate by providing Caroly-  St. Mary Magdalen all of the time and tal- n’s Place with a gift. Church, Oakville ent that Sara Dillon put This year they gave  Ms. Jackie Dressler into making beautiful us a beautiful basket  St. Matthew Church, knitted fun furry hats blankets, scarves, filled with baby items Forestville for our moms. These shawls and hats which for us to use to help hats were donated  St. Anthony Church, we distributed to our care for our moms through Knights of Co- Prospect clients. and their babies. lumbus Council #15  Immaculate Concep-  We offer a warm thanks THANK YOU. from Southington who tion Church, Norfolk visited us with members to Karen Perrone for  We are very grateful from 2 other Councils. her special donation of to Immaculate  St. Stanislaus Church, Thank you for your Beatrix Potter themed Conception Church Bristol baby items. support. Women’s Guild,  St. Ann Church, Bristol VOLUME XX, ISSUE I

Thank You Page 5  Thank you Knights of Columbus  We greatly appreciate all the diapers Ojeda Council 33 of Naugatuck and gifts that the students of Our for supporting us in many ways Lady of Loretto Confirmation throughout the year, and for the Class in Waterbury collected to beautiful Christmas gifts for our bring some Christmas cheer to our moms and babies. moms. Baby Bottle Boomerangs During 2011 Advent and St. Augustine Church in St. Ann Church in IF YOUR PARISH OR Christmas Season, North Branford held Bristol raised $1,841.98 ORGANIZATION WOULD Carolyn’s Place has been their sixth Boomerang during their eighth LIKE TO SPONSOR A BABY blessed by the following and raised an amazing successful Boomerang. BOTTLE BOOMERANG: parishes that sponsored $4,046.30. Thank you to Thank you to Fr. Alvin Baby Bottle Boomerangs the parishioners, Fr. LeBlanc and the  Purchase, or borrow from us, which help us to continue Rousseau and BBB coordinator, Corrine a sufficient number of baby bot- tles for your parish or organiza- our ministry efforts. coordinators, Melayna Clark, for leading the tion. Lovelace and Mary parish in this fundraiser  Distribute a baby bottle to Thank you St. Mary Pacelli for your continued for so many years. We and faithful support. also thank the anyone interested in participat- Magdalen Church in ing. parishioners for their Oakville for sponsoring a Church of the Nativity fantastic Baby Bottle very faithful support.  Ask them to fill the bottle with in Bethlehem held a spare change. Boomerang. The parish successful Baby Bottle raised $1,785.60. We are Boomerang which raised  Have everyone return the so grateful to Fr. James filled bottle at the end of a $2,437.41. Thank you so specified time period. (Usually Gregory, the event coor- much to Fr. Joseph about 3 to 4 weeks.) dinator, Joan Gugliotti, Looney for his support. and the parishioners for Thank you to the coordi-  Total the donations, and send one check to Carolyn’s Place, Inc. all of their hard work and nator, Rick Trotta and the support. parishioners for making  Return borrowed bottles to this a huge success. Carolyn’s Place, or save your purchased bottles and reuse for a Wilby High Visits Carolyn’s Place future boomerang. Wilby High School’s Child De- also brought two gift baskets powerful DVD, and velopment and Advanced Cloth- donated by Wilby Family, Ca- asked questions. Car- ing Classes visited our Center reer and Community Leaders of olyn’s Place enjoyed this Christmas Season. The stu- America Club. Each basket was the time the students dents used their sewing skills to overflowing with special items were able to spend make baby quilts which they for our moms. During the visit, with us, and we thank generously donated to Carolyn’s the students took a tour of our them so much for the Place for Christmas gifts for our Center, heard about our found- beautiful quilts and moms and babies. The students ing story and services, viewed a baskets. Grant Awarded to Carolyn’s Place WIlby High Students The Naugatuck Savings Bank the federal safety codes, to help grant and we look forward to Foundation recently awarded our moms and babies. With this helping young families Carolyn’s Place with a grant. grant we will be able to purchase throughout 2012. The grant was in the amount of 12 new and safe cribs. We are $3,000 designated for the extremely grateful to have been purchase of new cribs that meet selected as a recipient of this CAROLYN’S VOICE Page 6 From Ellen’s Desk For old “war horses” the We will change this culture of When we got off the metro, I March for Life in D.C. was an oppor- death.” thanked the teens. They were sopho- tunity to protest, to walk in solidarity mores at a Catholic high school in Riding the metro after the with fellow pro-lifers and to meet Kentucky. They asked where we march, I had the privilege of hearing with legislators to discuss pertinent were from. We told them a bit about a conversation between several teens issues. But , in the last few years this Carolyn’s Place. One of the girls and a thirty-something man. The man has changed and the change is a gave me a hug, looked me in the eye began the conversation by intimating wonderful one to see. and said, “Don’t worry, we’ll keep that the teens took part in the march fighting for the culture of life and The most recent March for because they were Catholic. The we’ll win.” Those teens will never life in D.C. boasted the largest num- teens respectfully admitted to being know what a gift they gave me. I left ber of young people ever! They held Catholic (“and proud of it”). They D.C. knowing that no matter how creative signs, chanted pro-life also said that being Catholic didn’t things look, we will win. With young slogans, and prayed. One group of mean being uneducated. They took people like these coming up in the young people made a wooden “life on pro-life issues, including contra- ranks the culture of life will win. boat.” The boat was carried by ception. By then everyone on the several young men with one young metro was listening. One listener I am reminded of 1 Timothy man in it leading them all in pro-life who identified himself as Catholic 4:11 “Let no one despise your youth, chants. Their energy and enthusiasm said that he had never heard contra- but set the believers an example in was contagious. Their message was ception explained the way the teens speech and conduct, in love, in faith clear, “We are here to stay, thirty had explained it. and in purity.” We, as adults, would nine years is too much. do well to follow their lead. Our Education Programs

Carolyn’s Place offers the fol- school-aged children. This talk Adult Workshops/ lowing programs for schools, will show each child how each Presentations– This workshop parish CCD classes, organiza- one of them is a special gift of offers information to adults and tions, and adult or youth groups. life. parents on the current trends and If you are interested in any of health risks that face our teens Respect, Responsibility and our programs, please contact us today. Relationships– This program is at 203-597-9050 or by email at designed for middle and high The Story of Carolyn’s Place– [email protected]. All school students to empower This presentation tells our story programs are free and adapted them through education to make and gives a brief overview of our for each audience. healthy life choices related to services and programs. their sexuality. Some of the top- To schedule a talk please call us Early Childhood Talk– This ics discussed include: absti- at 203-597-9050. program is designed for pre- nence, self respect, life goals and school, kindergarten and primary STDs.

Spring 2012 Wish List If you can help with any of these items, new or used, please contact us at (203) 597-9050. ITEMS NEEDED: New or lightly used Vacuum Cleaner, 2 Flash Drive (Memory stick), 2 pair of good scissors, Home Depot gift card and Staples gift card, spring plants for our flower boxes and beds.

We are sincerely grateful for the donation received from our Fall/Winter Newsletter. Thank you to Tom Kenney who donated a digital video camera and printer paper; Jackie Ritacco for her donation of light bulbs; flashlights and rub- ber bands; Phyllis and Dean Tarsi for donating printer paper, light bulbs and rubber bands; Pamela Deldonno for her donation of a digital camera; printer paper and a projector screen; and to our supporter Evelyn who donated a pro- jector screen. Thank you, these screens will be a huge help at our presentations. VOLUME XX, ISSUE I

2011 - 2012 Membership Drive (as of Feb. 17, 2012) Cornerstone Circle Patron Guardian Guardian Anonymous 1 Mr. Mrs. Raymond Kozlowski Brass City Unit Marine Corps. League Aux Ms. Patricia McKinley Mr.Mrs. Michael Basil Jr. Dr. & Mrs. Vincent Leone Mr. Mrs. Thomas Brophy, Jr. Ms. Mary McMahon Ms. Sandra K. Hague Mr. Charles Longo Ms. Cecile Charpentier Ms. Patricia Miele Mr. Mrs. Michael Moffatt Rev. Joseph Looney Ms. Teresa Cimino Mr. Mrs. Brian Murphy Ms. Mary Jane Teta Ms. Maria Mancini Maria’s Hair Stylist Mr. Frank Cinque Ms. Gayle Nidoh Knights of Columbus Ojeda Council #33 Mr. Mrs. Ronald Maurice Ms. Maria Coelho Ms. Laura O’Brien Mr. Mrs. Samuel Mazzarelli Mr. Mrs. Richard Collette Mrs. Mary Pacelli Pillar Mr. Mrs. Timothy McBrien Mr. Mrs. Brian Corson Mr. Charles Pedrotty Mr. Mrs. Jerry Brennan Mr.Mrs. Michael McCormack Ms. Janice Curley Mr. Mrs. Pasquale Pepe Knott and Knott, LLC Mr. Frank J. Mirovsky & Ms. Elizabeth Adler Ms. Barbara Daniels Mr. Mrs. David Pettinicchi Mr. Joe Almeida New England Die Co., Inc. MJ Fahy and Sons Inc. Mrs. Margaret DeLuca Mr. Mrs. Raymond Podhorn Rev. Robert Rousseau Mr. Mrs. V. Wayne Oliver Ms. Marie DePalma Mr. Mrs. William Polinsky Jr. Mr. Mrs. Raymond Ouellette Mrs. Maria Desaulniers Ms. Dora Proe Protector Mr. Mrs. Alex Overkamp Mrs. Maria Dorval Ms. Ellen Robbins Anonymous 3 Deacon & Mrs. Ernest Pagliaro, Jr. Mrs. Louise Doucette Mr. Mrs. Robert Rock Mr. Anthony Caterino Mr. Mrs. Daniel Picard Mrs. Maria Duque Ms. Carmella Schiappa Mr.Mrs. Robert Colucci Msgr. Daniel Plocharczyk Mrs. Eileen Durkin Mrs. Theresa Shores Most Rev. Daniel Cronin Mr. Jim Proe Mr. Mrs. Edward Dwyer Mr. Mrs. John Sipper Mr. Mrs. Anthony Luccaro Mr.Mrs. Doug Quaintance Mr. Mrs. Patrick Dwyer Mr. Thomas Somers Mr. Robert Ratchford Mrs. Irene Redford Mr. Mrs. Jack Ellis Mrs. Carol Spatola Miss Val Spatola Atty & Mrs. Paul Shea Mrs. Jacqueline Ritacco Ms. Marjorie Farren Mr. Mrs. Henry Stefanczyk Mr.Mrs John Taillie Mr. Mrs. Berhard Roegele Ms. Sandra Ferraris Mr. Hugh J. St. Leger Ms. Susan Suhr Ms. Marina Viale Mr.Mrs. John Ryng Mr. Mrs. John Flynn, Jr. Mr. Mrs. Edward Stoller Mrs. Maureen Williams Ms. Lorraine Sazama Mrs. Lillian Foley Mr. Mrs. Paul Tessitore Mr. Mrs. Kel Youngs Mr. Mrs. Michael Simms, III Mr. Mrs. Jean Luc Fortin Mrs. Lynn Tidgwell Mr.Mrs. Robert Skinner Mr. Mrs. Robert Frazer Mr. Mrs. Armand Vagnini Patron Mr. John C. Stewart, Jr. Ms. Rita Gaudioso Rev. Dominic Valla Anonymous 9 St. Bridget Church Mrs. Patricia Goggin Mr. Mrs. Ronald Vitarelli Miss June Archer St. Mary’s Church Ms. Karen Grossenbach Mr. Mrs. William Wickwire Mr.Mrs. Donald Arnauckas Mr. Mrs. Martin Stokes Mrs. Kristan Hawkins Ms. Ruth Wilcox Deacon & Mrs. Daniel Camerota Mrs. Karen Tarasuk Ms. Florence Hussey Mrs. Joan Zipoli Mr.Mrs. John Charbonneau Mr. Mrs. Joseph Twyford Ms. Diane Johnson Miss Francine Zottoli Mrs. Gloria Colonero Mr. Mrs. Dean Tarsi Mr. Mrs. Gary Johnson Mrs. Dina Daddario Mrs. Yvette Warner Mr. Mrs. Charles Kelly Thank you to all who Mr. Mrs. Rocco D’Amico Women’s Club of Woodbury Mr. Mrs. V. Kennedy Mr. Mrs. F.L. Danahy Mr.Mrs. Kevin Zupkus Ms. Debi Klik participated in our 2011 Mr. Mrs. Richard Dayton Mr. Mrs. John Kotchian -2012 Membership Mrs. Adele DeFrancesco Rev. Leonard Kvedas Appeal. It is because of Mr. Mrs. Louis DeLuca Guardian Mr. Mrs. Frederick Langhoff your generous Dymar Anonymous 20 Ms. Lauraine Lausier donations that we are Mr. Mrs. F. Dziubek Mrs. Alvira Ambrose Mr. Mrs. Richard Lawlor able to continue our Lisa and Frank Eairheart Mr. Mrs. Arden Mr. Mrs. Gary Lemay Mrs. Debra Farren-Finn Mr. Mrs. Rich Atkins Mr. Mrs. Charles Linck important work. Mrs. Lillian Fleckenstein Mrs. Paul Babarik Mr. Mrs. Nicholas Longo Mr. Mrs. Ed Flynn Ms. Darlene Baer Mr. Mrs. Andre Loubier Ms. Joan Gauthier Mrs. Elena Banks Ms. Rosemary Luddy Mr. Paul Geary Ms. Carolyn Barbieri Ms. Deborah Mahon Rev. James George Ms. Claire Barlow Mr. Mrs. Andrew Mailhot Mr. Mrs. Phil Gribbin Mrs. Ruth Barry Ms. Margaret Maynard Rev. Jeffrey Gubbiotti Mr. Raymond Blank Mrs. Andree McColgan Rev. E. Jaksina Ms. Evelyn Boucher Ms. Maureen McDermott Mr. Mrs. John Kasinskas Ms. Catherine Boulay Mr. Mrs. Robert McGarry Ms. Margherita Koneazny Mr. Mrs. Robert Bourassa CAROLYN’S PLACE, INC PREGNANCY CARE CENTER NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION U.S. POSTAGE PAID 137 Grandview Ave. WATERBURY, CT Waterbury, CT 06708 PERMIT NO. 345

Phone: 203-597-9050 RETURN SERVICES REQUESTED

V ISIT OUR NEW WEBSITE! www.carolynsplace.net

Celebrating 20 Years

Join us at our Annual Meeting– March 28th, 6pm—see page 2 New website, New Online Giving, New Facebook Page– see page 3