Looking back at the last year, we have been challenged. We have been consistently tested by the reality of a global pandemic that has caused so much disruption in our lives, literally separating us from our loved ones. Yet, we have been prepared to make these sacrifices because we know that God has a plan for us.
A few weeks ago, a dear friend shared with me the following, “God said: This year I made you strong. Next year, I’ll make you happy.” Although ‘strong’ is likely not the first word to come to mind, it is an important one for this year. We must remain strong through adversity and be strong for those around us. As Christians, it is our responsibility to lead an example worthy of Christ, and we must always maintain that responsibility no matter what it takes.
Here at COLFS, we have done just that.
Despite the many restrictions imposed since March, our doors have never closed. We have continued serving our communities through accessible and cost-effective healthcare from our very talented providers. We have continued offering young mother support by hosting a weekly lactation support group overseen by certified lactation specialists. We have continued providing both client and material support through our newly revamped Client Support Specialist program, and the restocking of our Baby Boutique in both our Escondido and Mission Valley clinics.
And throughout the challenges and setbacks, we have maintained our primary mission to ensure that Christ-centered medical care and pregnancy clinic services are available to all women regardless of ability to pay.
Outside of the clinic, we participated in the “Walking with Moms in Need” kickoff campaign hosted at St. Mary Catholic Church in Escondido, we co-hosted the ninth annual White Mass alongside St. Gianna Physician’s Guild at the beautiful Church of the Nativity in Rancho Santa Fe, and we held our first ever virtual Gala at John Paul the Great Catholic University. Although these events were unlike those hosted in the past, we conducted them with safely and according to the guidelines recommended.
What is even more impressive however, is that we were still blessed by the unwavering kindness of our community. The replenishing of diapers, onesies, bottles, lotions, and so much more was not without the help of our many donors who answered our September call. More so, even though the virtual Gala was the first in our history, it was also a first to have the event supported by the wonderful students of JP Catholic. Although it is our mission to serve our community, we were humbled at how quickly and charitable the community was to us in return.
While we know that 2021 will not bring instant changes and solutions to the challenges faced in 2020, we know what we are capable of, and how much stronger we have become in the face of those challenges. Some of us thought that 2020 would be the year we had it all, but it was really the year to be grateful for what we already have.