Care Net Waco is an organization working to provide care, support and information to women facing pregnancy.
Their annual fundraiser was held on Jan. 20 where many from the community came to support Care Net and the mothers in need.
Their goal for this fundraiser is to collect $20,000.
Care Net will provide the mother with housing and medical help before, during and after the pregnancy.
Up to 28 women and their children are able to stay in the guest house at a time. Women usually stay between 4 to 6 months until the mother can get back on her feet.
"It's a wonderful place, they cook for themselves and their families," Deborah McGregor said, CEO of Care Net Waco. "They take care of their children, we are just there to equipped them keep them safe in a nice facility."
Classes are also provided to those mothers to help raise their little ones and prepare them for early childhood education.
They also work in favor of the pro-life movement. Helping women who may be facing the idea of abortion because they don't think they could take care of a child.
"We want to just end it by it not being needed anymore," McGregor said. "We don't have to do that anymore in this city because we take care of our most vulnerable."
Emmanuella Valeris came to Waco from New York about five months ago. She found Care Net in hopes of a better life for her and her ten-year-old son. She was also pregnant with a girl, having Care Net by her side changed her life.
"They have become a really big family to me, in every aspect of life they are helpful," Valeris said. "It's like somebody is holding your hand and walking along the way. they're always there for you."
Care Net has helped Valeris with housing, child care, medical services, counseling and finding a job. Care Net helps put mothers on the right path to a better life for her and their kids.
"I see just the community and the Lord come and surround these women and there's nothing better than seeing a person become the best them." McGregor said.
Some make it an annual experience when participating in the fundraiser. Tom and Nancy Harrison have donated more times than they can count.
"Each of us is so firmly committed that if the other were not we would not be as close as we are." Tom Harrison said.
Seeing everyone at the event, Valeris did not expect to see the number of people and support flooding through the doors.
"It feels really good to know that people are really wanting to help and see eye to eye with the goal that Care Net is trying to accomplish."
Ultimately helping women succeed in raising their little ones, the money donated in this fundraiser will pay for program services. Things like ultrasounds, education, child care and housing.
Care Net Waco will serve about 2,500 women in the Central Texas community.
For more information on Care Net visit their website.
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