“I just need a place to sleep,” said a pregnant woman living in her car and washing up for work in a public bathroom. Another woman, a pregnant college student abandoned by her family, insisted on giving birth to her child. These are real-life stories of women in crisis pregnancy situations who received the help they needed from an organization called Birth Haven. Tina Magarino, the executive director of the non-profit, is a guest on this week’s episode, along with Alyssa Renovales, the Respect Life coordinator for the Diocese of Paterson.
Birth Haven is an independent, nonsectarian, non-profit organization that provides shelter, support, and education for homeless, pregnant women and girls. Magarino is passionate about helping single mothers recognize the barriers they face and overcome obstacles to break the cycle of homelessness. Birth Haven is located in Newton, N.J., in Sussex County and is one of many organizations listed on the Diocese of Paterson’s Respect Life Ministry webpage as a resource for moms.
Renovales shares her perspective and also discusses what it was like at the Jubilee of Youth in Rome, where she was earlier this month with a million other Catholic youths.
Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney and Jai Agnish, Communications director for the diocese, co-host the episode.
Listen to the episode here, or on any major podcast platform or watch it on Bishop Sweeney’s YouTube channel.
Email questions for Bishop Sweeney to beyond@patersondiocese.org.
