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May 8, 2005 Birth Choice has 11 Centers to Service Oklahoma Oklahoman Catholics Visit Rome at Historic Time Kinghts of Columbus Celebrate 100 Years of Serives in Oklahoma Mother's Day Miracle! Birth Choice to Bless New Center After Successful Campaign Reveals How Doors Can Open When God's Love is Welcomed
God Knows You In Your Mother's Womb These words are written under the wall paper border at the receptionist window inside the new Birth Choice Home. They can't be seen, but they are there. By Ray Dyer When Birth Choice of Oklahoma, Inc. opened its office doors in 1973, a few months after the United States Supreme Court said abortion on demand would be the law of the land, it had two folding chairs and a telephone. Organizers admit, they really didn't believe they'd need much more. They were thinking surely after a short time a nation that printed "In God We Trust" on its currency would come to its senses and cease the legal slaughter of innocent unborn children. On May 8, Mother's Day, some 32 years after that devastating court decision, Birth Choice of Oklahoma, Inc. will celebrate the success of its year-long "A Beacon of Life" capital campaign with the dedication and blessing of it new headquarters. A beautiful home-like building at 4701 South Western that will greet and offer comfort to young women who are confronted with an unexpected pregnancy. While the new Birth Choice home is cause for celebration the true excitement comes from knowing the warmer and more inviting atmosphere may help save more unborn children and in turn spare their mothers the heartache and self-loathing so often associated with abortion. The new Birth Choice home is only a few blocks from the original headquarters at 3101 South Western. But it only takes a quick glance to realize it is light years away in terms of warmth and appearance. "That young woman who
walks through these doors, she's got to feel welcome,"
said Barbara Chishko, Birth Choice director and one
of the founders of the pro-life organization. "Irregardless
of what the buildings look like, we've always been proud
of them for what they stand for and what they do." Chishko is seated around a table
with Birth Choice co-founder Ruth Blakely and Jan O'Neill,
director of development. The three friends are
reflecting on the years they've spent praying, crying
and laughing about the many lives God has allowed them
to touch in their Birth Choice ministry. It was at this
very table they gathered with their board of directors and hatched
the idea for the Beacon of Life capital
campaign. O'Neill had just returned from a workshop in Indianapolis hosted by Development Market Associates, a firm that teaches organizations how to raise money. It was there she learned what it takes to build a successful capital campaign. She said she also learned "God has lots of money, in fact, all money is God's money." But He lets us decide how we use it and how we spend it, she said. The Birth Choice board was impressed with the idea. An architectural rendering was needed. That meant seed money was needed. Chishko said they talked to a number of firms, but with limited funds they found little success. Then Bruce Bockus of Bockus- Payne and Associates answered the call. "I was told to call this firm," Chishko said. "I had no idea who they were, but when I called the secretary was away from her desk and Bruce actually answered the phone." She said thinking back that was probably another door God opened because before when she would call an architectural office it was very difficult to get past the secretary, especially when she had to admit they didn't have much in the way of money to pay for the needed services. "Bruce listened to our plan and he told us he would do the design and if we raised the money we could pay him. If we didn't raise the money we didn't have to pay him," Chishko said. That's pretty much how this entire effort has come together, O'Neill said. Just when a door appeared to close another door would open. "It was amazing to watch God's hand at work," she said. Chishko remembers the first person to see the design. "Archbishop Beltran was very supportive and enthusiastic," she said. "But he told me don't take out a loan. Pay for the building." The three women decided they would ask Dr. Tom Nix, longtime supporter and Birth Choice board member, if he would agree to contact some potential donors, people who could make substantial gifts. They were shocked when he told them no. "He told us he didn't want to do that," O'Neill said. "No, he wanted to head the entire campaign," Blakely said. They were thrilled. Dr. Nix recruited Michael Zink, Robert Dolan, Thomas Luetkemeyer and Leo Morrison to serve on the capital campaign committee. The goal was set at $1million with $400,000 of that to be placed in an endowment. Soon after the campaign was announced an anonymous gift of $250,000 was received. Plans initially called for demolition of the three small buildings Birth Choice had operated out of for years. They are located in the 3100 block of South Western and rebuilding on that site seemed like the logical thing. But as O'Neill said "We forgot to ask God where He wanted to build." A number of circumstances popped up that made building on the original site difficult. A new business had purchased land next door and was planning to erect its own building. The owners asked if Birth Choice would consider selling its property. At first the answer was an emphatic no. But then, Blakley said, they learned property further south was available and at a very reasonable price. In an amazing turn of events, Birth Choice sold its existing property to the new business for $85,000, the exact price sought by the owners of the property further to the south. Even more amazing, a few years earlier that property had been on the market for more than $250,000, not surprising since it's across the street from a Super Target store. But a death in the family changed things and the new property owners were willing to let go of it for considerably less. The women say there are numerous heroes in this effort and they believe every one of them was delivered by God. They point to their builder, Kim Anderson, who serves on the Birth Choice board. He has saved thousands of dollars, asking suppliers to donate items or offer discounts. "Let me tell you, 10 percent adds up," Blakely said. The women said it was John Mallon, another board member, who was insistent a better location could be found. He was the one who brought them the site eventually chosen for the new center. They talk about Dr. Curtis Harris and Kent Sowers and Dick Feuerborn all three have been instrumental in the development of the new 5,500 square foot center. Feuerborn built the altar that anchors the chapel inside the new building. Michale Stapleton, the women said, did an incredible job decorating the new center. Along the way many have said yes to the Beacon of Life campaign. For the staff and volunteers at Birth Choice this gives great hope that many young women will continue to also say yes to life. |
