By CatholicVote | Created at 2025-01-17 16:13:11 | Updated at 2025-01-30 18:57:12
1 week ago
CV NEWS FEED // The Knights of Columbus recently celebrated the successful first year of a pregnancy resource center in Carroll, Iowa.
Established in January of 2024, New Creation Pregnancy Resource Center offers counseling and support to mothers during and after pregnancy, according to the Knights of Columbus report. Knights Council 780 partnered with Heartbeat International to provide training for volunteers and mentors, as well as educational resources for mothers.
In order to raise money for the new center, the Knights reached out to churches in Carroll and received overwhelming support.
“The feedback we got was outstanding,” said Grand Knight Jason Schwarte. “Last year, before the doors opened, we received $5,000 worth of goods — car seats, baby monitors, diapers, wipes and clothing. It was overwhelming.”
The center received support from several other sources besides local churches. Knights personally donated money, Schwarte said, and their wives volunteered to help with the center. The landlord of New Creation’s building offered discounted rent to support the effort.
The Knights also held several fundraising events, and the organization’s Supreme Council provided funds through their Aid and Support After Pregnancy (ASAP) program.
The Knights of Columbus awarded Council 780 the Culture of Life Award and named Schwarte the Grand Knight of the Year
Schwarte is also personal friends with one of the center’s first beneficiaries. He reached out and offered assistance in January 2024 to Karlee Jones, who was trying to care for her newborn after an unexpected pregnancy.
“I had a lot of emotion,” recalled Jones, who now has a healthy 1-year-old. “It’s scary to be a new mom and to do it alone, not knowing how I was going to adjust to my new life and provide for her.”
She explained how she received counseling and assistance from the center.
“I didn’t even know there were centers like this,” she said. “It’s so welcoming there.”
Now, Jones has settled into her new role as a parent.
“Being a mom is the best thing in the world,” she said. “I wouldn’t want someone to miss out [on motherhood] or feel like they didn’t have any help.”
