Supporting moms & their babies

Times-News - 8/26/2018

Aug. 26--When young mothers visit A Heart's Cry Pregnancy Resource and Counseling Center in Graham, executive director Sherry Morris knows what they're going through -- to an extent.

Morris was a young mother, too.

She was married at 17 years old, while a senior in high school, and four months later, she gave birth to her first child. She and her husband have been married for 45 years now and they have two children and four grandchildren.

"But I had people who were behind me and supported me. I was raised in a Christian home," Morris said. "There's such a negative stigma given to teen mothers and children born out of wedlock. We should support them. Through A Heart's Cry, we teach them stability and how to move forward."

Last year, A Heart's Cry assisted 861 women and their infants.

The nonprofit organization has been in existence for 11 years now and works with mothers, and their children, until the time the children are 2 years old. It is located at 306 S. Main St. in Graham.

While no one currently lives in the house in Graham, Morris said, "the Lord has burdened my heart for a farm. There's nothing for women like this in Alamance County where it could be a place they could live. It needs to be a place where they could have stability -- a self-sustaining farm. That's what we're looking at for the future. "

Nancy Wright, founder of Alamance V.I.P. heard Morris present a talk about A Heart's Cry and decided that it would be a great organization to support during Alamance V.I.P.'s 11th anniversary Reach Out Evening on Sept. 7 at People's Memorial Christian Church, 247 N.C. 87 North in Burlington.

"It was an eye-opener," Wright said of Morris' talk. "I wanted V.I.P. to support this ministry."

The event is for senior citizens 55 years old and up. Mercy's Well will perform. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. and dinner will be at 6 p.m. Those attending are asked to bring a love offering for A Heart's Cry which can include monetary donations, gift cards (Wal-Mart and gas cards), diapers and baby wipes. Reservations for dinner must be made by calling Wright at 336-269-3844.

Alamance V.I.P., Wright explained, was organized as a way to unite all churches of Alamance County.

"We hold a monthly meeting as a way to refuel ourselves and keep focused on our mission -- "to bring the churches throughout Alamance County together. It's not about a church, it's about 'the church.' "

Wright felt God calling her to start V.I.P. in April 2007. She was diagnosed with a brain tumor in August of that year. On Oct. 9, she had the surgery and was back at V.I.P. in November -- in a wheelchair. She has since had other health issues, but has continued to pray for guidance with not only her only life, but V.I.P. as well.

A Heart's Cry assists mothers from the time they find out they're pregnant. The nonprofit has assisted mothers from the age of 11 to 40.

Morris presents luncheons for various churches throughout the area, but she doesn't do any fundraising, per se.

"The things we need the most, the Lord provides," she said. "I've had people drop off 32 portable bassinets. One time, I had 350 Bibles donated that we sent overseas. When God gives us something, we find a use for it."

The organization has offered cooking classes, along with domestic violence awareness and self-defense classes.

"If we change these women's lives, we can change these children's lives," she said. "It is a trickle-down effect."

For more information on Alamance V.I.P., call 336-269-3844. For more details on A Heart's Cry, call 336-222-1505 or visit www.aheartscrync.org.

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