On the doorpost of the Nazareth Life Ministries, a brass plaque reads, "From Words to Deeds," or "De Palabras a Hechos" in Spanish. This motto provided the initial inspiration for The Nazareth Home, a residential maternity program, which opened its doors to women in crisis pregnancies from 1992 until 2004. When the need declined for a residential maternity home in the Macon area, the Diocese of Savannah reassessed the needs of the current population and transitioned the ministry into a prenatal and parenting outreach program, currently serving pregnant and parenting single women 18 years of age and older–and birth fathers whenever possible–in the English-speaking and Latino communities. Based on the population needs assessment, the decision was made to offer the services in Spanish to include the growing Latino population.

The free-of-charge outreach services of Nazareth Life Ministries now include:

• Free pregnancy tests offered from Monday through Friday from 9 to 5 p.m.
• Case Management services
• Weekly educational classes including "Nurturing Parent", Childbirth, Nutrition, Finance and Budgeting on Tuesdays and Thursdays. (Individual classes can be scheduled. )
• Support groups for Single Mothers/Dads
• "Earn While You Learn" program where clients earn items for themselves and/or their babies by attending the classes and support groups
• Toll-free crisis line 1-866-531- LIFE
• Services provided in both English and Spanish
• On-site childcare for women participating in classes or programs

Irma Cruz, Latino Outreach Coordinator for Nazareth Life Ministries, was hired in June. Before joining Nazareth Life Ministries, Cruz served as the Hispanic Ministry Coordinator at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Warner Robins.

Nazareth Life Ministries is supported by Catholic Charities USA, the United Way of Central Georgia, and by donations from corporations, organizations, churches, and individuals.

"Our services are free. Our overall concern is healthy moms, healthy babies, and healthy families. Nazareth Life Ministries is a place where women can come to share their needs and concerns and not to be judged. We have an open-door policy to all. Realizing that our Hispanic community is growing and that no one learns English overnight, we want to open our doors to the Latino women in our community," Cruz said.

"Nazareth Life Ministries has a wonderful ministry in place, and my job is to expand the services by offering them to the Latino community. I'm taking a good program that has already been established and making it accessible to Hispanics. Part of my job is to go out into the community and assess the needs. I've found that the lack of transportation is a problem for many in the Latino community, making it difficult for them to travel to existing classes and services. That's where Nazareth Life Ministries comes in because we can take our program to them. We are encouraging the women to meet in their homes, and we are working on taking these classes to them," Cruz added.

Annalea Celio, Medical/ Outreach Coordinator, has been working for the Nazareth Life Ministries, formerly The Nazareth Home, for seven years.

"I have been here during the time we operated a maternity home, through the transition period, and since the changeover. I develop curriculum, teach classes, and do outreach in the community, such as going out to the hospitals and seeing our clients when they deliver. I also coordinate the "Earn While You Learn Program," where our mothers can earn items for their babies by participating in classes or in individual sessions or support groups." Celio said.

Deanna Schultz, who has a Masters in Counseling, serves as the case manager of Nazareth Life Ministries. Schultz conducts intake interviews on clients to assess individual needs and also runs the support groups. Cruz provides the initial intake for the Spanish-speaking women.

The new Director of Nazareth Life Ministries is Sister Marian Hamwey, Daughters of Charity. She also manages the Mother and Child Ministries in Macon, and her goal is to merge both organizations. Mother and Child Ministries provides financial assistance to moms (with children up to six years of age) for utility bills, car seats, prescriptions, maternity clothes, and children's clothes. When the moms receive financial help, they attend a finance and budgeting class.

"We are always looking for ways to collaborate with existing programs in the community. An agent from The University of Georgia extension services in Bibb County teaches our nutrition class. Neighboring churches also work with us. We encourage our Latino women to take English as a Second Language at the First Baptist Church and St. Peter Claver Church in Macon, and Sacred Heart Church in Warner Robins. If your church is offering ESL classes, please let us know so we can add you to our resource list," Cruz said.

Ways Volunteers Can Help

Nazareth Life Ministries is in need of volunteers to help implement their mission of providing a caring response to the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of pregnant women and new mothers in crisis. They are in need of bilingual mentors, crisis-line volunteers, and bilingual counselors.

"If volunteers share their talents with us, we can then share their talents with our clients. One of our volunteers teaches sewing and quilting classes. Student volunteers from Mount de Sales Academy and Sacred Heart School help us sort clothing, prepare mother and baby care packages, prepare snacks for the ladies, and help with bulk mailing. Sam's Club provided the food for snacks and meals during the month of November. Three adult volunteers man the toll-free crisis line. One of our goals is to bring on board bilingual volunteers, to expand our ability to mentor clients in both languages," Cruz said.

A volunteer from Columbus, Georgia, crochets baby blankets and matching crosses for our mothers' babies. The ladies love to receive these homemade, beautiful blankets. Sometimes this blanket is the nicest possession they have," Cruz added.

Barbara Gaughf, a marriage and family counselor, volunteers her time once a week to provide counseling to clients. Any bilingual counselors, who would be willing to donate some hours to outreach to the Latino community, please get in touch with Nazareth Life Ministries at 478-746-9803.

If you would like to help support Nazareth Life Ministries, you may send a donation to 538 Orange Street, Macon, GA 31201. For information on volunteering, call 478- 746-9803.