Reaction to the story of Elaine Riddick

In the midst of all the other news-worthy stories this week, the story of Elaine Riddick has fascinated, horrified, and inspired me. She was featured in a story on the news program Rock Center this week as they covered the sterilization of young men and women by the government run eugenics programs of the 1920’s-1970’s in many states. I was first horrified because I was unaware that these programs had existed in our country, and then more horrified that so many young women like Elaine Riddick had suffered such an invasive and unjust procedure.

All I could think through all of my fascination with this story was: what if they had helped these “at risk” individuals and equipped them instead of taking away their ability to parent? I have seen the answer to that question in my work at The Hope Clinic for Women. Here at Hope Clinic, we daily equip women facing unplanned pregnancies and those who support her through free medical, emotional, psychological, spiritual and practical assistance. By accessing our services, women are able to find the strength and help that they need to make healthy choices and become confident and capable parents. We also offer support to the partners and families of these women so that they can have a strong and healthy support system as well.

I am so thankful that we not only no longer allow sterilization of “at risk” individuals, but also that there is a program here in the Nashville area that specifically reaches out to those facing difficult choices and holistically helps them to overcome their obstacles. I am grateful that I have the privilege of being a part of these women’s lives and the mission of the Hope Clinic for Women as we offer a safe and confidential place for anyone dealing with life choices regarding past, present, and future pregnancies.

See more on this story at the following link:http://rockcenter.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2011/11/07/8640744-victims-speak-out-about-north-carolina-sterilization-program-which-targeted-women-young-girls-and-blacks

Amy Moseley, M.A. is the Client Programs Manager at Hope Clinic for Women. She is passionate about working with individuals in crisis. In addition to 12 years of ministry experience, she has worked with sexual abuse victims and individuals in the foster care system. Amy leads the prevention and outreach programs and works with individual clients as well as the counselors who serve them. You can email Amy at amoseley@hopeclinicforwomen.org

I Heart Amy Grant

I grew up as an Amy Grant fan… I wanted to be her when I grew up. Unfortunately, God didn’t have the same idea I had and did not bless me with a singing voice. My family and friends assure me that this is not in God’s plan for my life when they laugh at me for singing along to my favorite songs in the car. Okay, so I’m not going to bust out the next “Baby, Baby” or “Tennessee Christmas”… I get it. I can’t sing. However, I still want to be Amy Grant when I grow up.

Since meeting Amy and getting to know her as a person, I now want to be Amy Grant when I grow up more than ever. I may not be blessed with the ability to sing, but what I’ve realized is that there is so much more to Amy Grant than her success in the music industry.

Amy and Vince were awarded the Joe Kraft Humanitarian Award by The Community Foundation this week and I can’t think of two people that deserve it more. I have been involved in several different nonprofits in my career and the constant in all of them is that Amy Grant seems to support each one in some way. Her heart for people is bigger than any success she has had.

At Hope Clinic for Women, we are so grateful for her support. She and her family have been supporters from the very beginning and helped open our doors to women in crisis. Since opening our doors almost 29 years ago, we have evolved quite a bit. We have expanded and added new services that help meet clients’ needs. These changes would not be possible without the support of people like Amy Grant.

We’re so excited that she has chosen to partner with us at the beginning of our 30th year serving the Nashville community. Amy will be the key note speaker at our 2012 Hope for the Future Gala and we know her talk will be uplifting and inspiring. We’re so proud that she has chosen to support us in our journey as an organization.

Amy has made an impact not only on Hope Clinic, but on our community as a whole and she inspires me to do the same… That’s why I still want to be Amy Grant when I grow up.

Alison Cooke has been on staff at Hope Clinic for Women since April 2011. She is responsible for events, marketing, PR, websites and social media.

Remembering Dr. Cortez A. Cooper

Hope Clinic for Women lost a friend last week with the death of Dr. Cortez A. Cooper. One of our founders, he shepherded First Presbyterian Church through a dynamic revival in the 1970s and was the first pastor to lead Christ Presbyterian Church. Although it seems as though he was preaching from a local pulpit just yesterday, he left Nashville in 1985 and subsequently headed congregations in California, Alabama, and Virginia. He was absolutely devoted to Jesus Christ and His Gospel and fused deep convictions with a strong intellectual grasp of Scripture. He was unwavering in his belief in God and His Word. He was prepared to make great personal sacrifices for both.

Most of my memories of Dr. Cooper stem from grammar school days at Oak Hill School and the early years of Christ Presbyterian Church. I recall him as forthright and energetic but never unapproachable or above patting a young man on the head and offering a word of encouragement. He shot straight and delivered sermons that are as moving and profound today as they were thirty years ago.

I last saw Dr. Cooper a few years back at an anniversary service at Christ Presbyterian. I approached him to re-introduce my adult self, saying, “You probably do not remember me.” Before I could finish my sentence, he called me by name, heartily greeting me as an old friend. Amazed at the memory of someone who had doubtlessly counseled thousands, I was also struck by how little his beaming countenance had changed in twenty plus years.

Regardless of how successful he is, I suppose a tough point to being a pastor is wondering if one’s witness is having the desired effect on a congregation. I can recall a young boy, who at a particularly pivotal time in his life, found solace and strength in the Gospel preached by Dr. Cooper. Whether they know it or not, countless people who have walked through Hope Clinic’s doors can say the same.

Jim Gardner
Hope Clinic for Women
Vice Board Chair