Two months ago, Ohio voters approved Issue 1 that enshrined abortion in the state constitution. The citizen-initiated constitutional amendment was described as a reproductive rights initiative and its official title was “The Right to Reproductive Freedom with Protections for Health and Safety.”
Mary von Carlowitz, director of the Office for Human Life in the Diocese of Cleveland, was among those who led the charge against the issue. She was introduced by her brother, Deacon George Malec, who heads the diocesan permanent diaconate program.
“We fought the good fight. We fought for life,” she told the First Friday Club of Cleveland at its Jan. 4 lunch program. Von Carlowitz coordinated a discussion titled, “Where do we go From Here? Pro-life Post Issue 1.” Other speakers were Erin Hathaway, executive director of Zelie’s Home; Mary Ann Meitin, executive director of Woman Cleveland; and Donna Perrine, past president of the Christ Child Society of the Western Reserve.
More than 100 people gathered for the program at the Center for Pastoral Leadership in Wickliffe.
Von Carlowitz discussed how in concert with the Catholic Conference of Ohio and with the support of Catholic bishops statewide, citizens were trained to educate voters about Issue 1 and its implications. The initiative, called “Protect Them Both,” was large so they focused on the faithful in the pews to help spread the message that all life is sacred.
While the election results were disappointing, von Carlowitz said the fight would continue.
“We must go on and be people of light. We know our God is a God of mercy and he will win in the end,” she added. “We continue to form, inform and witness what we believe in.”
She credited those who helped campaign against Issue 1, noting, “We couldn’t have fought the fight without all of you.” She said the effort was grassroots and they learned a lot, but the fight isn’t over.
“We’re in it for the long haul. We’re here to show we’re here for all of life. We’re here to accompany you through all of life,” she said, explaining that being pro-life is more than just being against abortion.
As fallout from the election continues, von Carlowitz said her office – in response to a directive from Bishop Edward Malesic – has assembled a plethora of resources to walk with mothers in need. “The key is that each person can find accompaniment,” she said.
“We’re here to be a sea of mercy. This (accompaniment) is a lifetime job, not just a one and done,” she added.
Von Carlowitz said each person has dignity and “We’re here to show you we are the face of Christ for the face of Christ. Know that we’ve only just begun this fight for life. We need to show God is good and he is among us.”
She introduced Hathaway, who leads Zelie’s Home with locations in Garfield Heights and Lakewood, the latter which opened last year. “It’s a home of hospitality for pregnant women,” Hathaway said, explaining women can move in any time during their pregnancy.
Zelie’s Home partners with AmeriCorps and ensures someone is at each home 24/7 to offer support to the women. Hathaway said some of the women grew up in homes without structure or rules, so the family structure at Zelie’s Home provides that. Residents participate in chores, share family-like meals and thrive as they embrace motherhood. It empowers pregnant and parenting women by providing physical, emotional, spiritual and professional support.
Residents of Zelie’s Home are all parenting women who have experienced trauma and who need healing and love, Hathaway said. They receive this through the staff model. The women also receive guidance to help them develop financial literacy, job skills, to find employment, obtain suitable housing and more.
“We have an ongoing alumnae program,” Hathaway said. “Once you’re part of our home, you’re part of us forever.”
She said there are many opportunities to volunteer, provide donations and other support for Zelie’s Home. Click here for more information.
“We are grateful for all you have done for us over the years,” she added.
Meitin, who has led Womankind for about a year and a half, said the organization was founded in 1975, two years after the Roe v. Wade United States Supreme Court decision that legalized abortion. That decision was overturned in 2022 by the U.S. Supreme Court in the Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization case.
Womankind began as a free prenatal clinic. Based in Garfield Heights, she said the facility is staffed by volunteer medical professionals, including obstetricians. “All services are confidential, compassionate and free,” Meitin said, clarifying that it is not a medical facility. She estimated Womankind has helped tens of thousands of women during its 49-year existence. Services are offered in a non-judgmental way and she said there are no eligibility or identification requirements for those who need assistance. Comprehensive prenatal care is offered through the 28thweek of pregnancy. Counseling, pregnancy support services, assistance with Medicaid and other social service program applications also is available. Clothes, diapers, formula and other baby essentials are available until the child reaches age 3.
She said if a pregnant woman decides to keep her baby but asks, “Now what? We are the now what.”
Meitin shared the story of a woman who visited Womankind in tears. She explained that she had a job but hadn’t received a paycheck yet and couldn’t afford diapers for her child. The staff assessed her needs and provided her with diapers and other items. She said the woman was grateful and expressed her appreciation that they were non-judgmental.
If Womankind can’t meet a client’s needs, Meitin said they have a robust referral program for things like housing, adoption and medical needs.
She said the Womankind website offers volunteer and donation opportunities as well as information about the annual baby bottle fundraiser. Meitin also reminded the group about the organization’s new domain name: womankind-cleveland.org.
Perrine, the final speaker, gave an overview of the Christ Child Society and specifically the Christ Child Society of the Western Reserve, which serves Lake County. She outlined the history of the Christ Child Society, which was founded in 1887 in Washington, D.C. Currently, there are more than 6,000 members in nearly 50 chapters across 20 states.
“I am so proud to live here,” she said, explaining that Ohio has eight chapters, the largest number in any single state in the country. The Western Reserve Chapter broke away from the Geauga County chapter in 1983 to serve Lake County.
The organization is primarily dedicated to child welfare, serving one child at a time. It focuses on 10 programs: eye screening, scholarships, layettes for any baby in the county who need one, camperships, literacy, Christmas giving, clothing committee, Crates for Kids to help set up apartments for 18-year-olds who are aging out of the social service system, day of service and donations to each of the 14 parishes in Lake County for their parish schools of religion.
Perrine said there is a big push for literacy with the chapter donating more than 1,000 books last year. “And eye screenings are important because if the children can’t see, they can’t read,” she said, noting the chapter has trained volunteers to conduct the screenings, which numbered about 1,700 last year for children in preschool, day care and kindergarten.
Baby layettes consist of new clothing items, many of which are handmade.
Perrine also said scholarships are available to help students further their education and camperships to help children across Lake County experience various types of camps. She and von Carlowitz credited Catholic Charities, Diocese of Cleveland for its support.
“We have a $150,000 annual budget and we raise that money ourselves,” Perrine said, noting the chapter does not receive any governmental funding.
“Nothing is ever too much to do for a child,” said von Carlowitz, a chapter member, who reiterated the Christ Child Society’s tagline.
“You are the light for the future,” von Carlowitz told the audience. “Your ministry will carry this forward. Be that person who reaches a face not seen by others.”
Attendees received folders of information from the Office for Human Life as they left. Information from the other speakers also was available.
There is a waiting list for the next First Friday Club of Cleveland, set for lunchtime Feb. 1 at Windows on the River. Bishop Malesic will present the 66th annual State of the Diocese to another sold-out crowd.