Sharing the Spirit of Christmas with Our Alpha Families
Dear Friends and Supporters,
The holiday season is upon us, and weāre excited to share that Alpha Care Center will be hosting two separate Christmas parties this yearāone for each of our client communities!
āØ Lowell Christmas Party: Tuesday, December 9 āØ Lake Odessa Christmas Party: Thursday, December 11
Each celebration will include fun holiday activities for families and children, along with a special family gift for every household that attends. These events are a cherished tradition at Alpha Care Center, giving our clients a chance to experience the joy, hope, and love that Christmas brings.
To make these celebrations possible, weāre seeking donations of party supplies, snacks, small gifts, and family-friendly items. If youād like to help, weāve made it easy to shop from our Amazon Wish List ā simply click the link below to view and purchase items that will go directly toward the parties:
You can also drop off donations at either Alpha Care Center location during regular office hours or contact Tara Wise, taraw@alphacarecenter.org, for more information.
Your generosity helps us create a warm and memorable holiday experience for the families we serve. Thank you for partnering with us to share the love and joy of Christmas this season!
This fall has been full of exciting updates ā and itās all thanks to your support!
We kicked off October with our Vision of Life Dinner, where 105 guests joined us to celebrate what God is doing through Alpha. Attendees took a virtual tour of our Lake Odessa & Lowell centers and learned about our growing need for a larger space in Lake Odessa.
Our 2025 Impact Report will be published in late January or early February ā we canāt wait to share the results of your impact!
Weāre also thrilled to announce that Alpha received an ultrasound grant from PreBorn! With their help, weāve added a new Mindray Consona N6 ultrasound machine at our Lowell office. This upgraded technology provides even clearer images for our clients, helping them see life in a powerful new way. The Samsung machine previously used in Lowell will soon move to Lake Odessa, giving that office an upgrade too!
And great news ā Lynette Foltz is now a certified Child Passenger Safety Technician! Sheāll serve families at our Lake Odessa location on Wednesdays, offering car seat checks and installations for clients and community members.
Thank you for standing with us as we continue to offer compassion, hope, and clarity to those facing unplanned pregnancies. Your partnership makes this possible every single day.
š Be on the lookout for our Fall/Winter 2025 newsletter arriving in your mailbox soon!
During August and September, Alpha Care Center continued to serve families in both our Lowell and Lake Odessa locations, even as the summer slowdown set in. Across both centers, we welcomed 11 new clients and served 64 unique individuals through a total of 225 scheduled appointments. Our medical team provided four limited obstetric ultrasounds and three pregnancy tests ā all of which were positive ā giving clients clarity and support as they navigate early pregnancy. While summer months often bring a dip in appointments due to family schedules and vacations, weāre encouraged by the steady participation in our Earn While You Learn program and ongoing client engagement.
Our material services continued to make a tangible impact in the lives of local families. In just two months, clients redeemed earned points to receive 855 clothing items, 352 bundles of diapers (over 4,200 individual diapers!), 92 bundles of pull-ups, and 124 packages of wipes. Each of these items represents more than just material help ā they reflect care, dignity, and encouragement for parents who are working hard to provide for their little ones. Your continued support makes this possible, helping us meet both the physical and emotional needs of families in our community.
Itās hard to believe, but the 2025 Christmas season is just around the corner! After much discussion with our staff, volunteers, and board members, weāve decided to do something a little different this year. Instead of our traditional Adopt-a-Family event, weāll be hosting two Christmas parties ā one in Lake Odessa (December 11th at the Hughe House) and one in Lowell (December 9th, Location TBD) ā open to all of our current, active clients.
Each party will include a fun craft, a festive scavenger hunt, the telling of the Nativity story, and of course, a celebration of Jesusās birthday complete with cake and finger foods. Every family who attends will receive a themed gift basket filled with thoughtful items to bless them this Christmas season.
As we finalize the details of these baskets, we ask that you pray about how God might be preparing your heart to help. Weāll soon be sharing an Amazon Wish List with the specific items needed to fill the baskets, giving you a chance to take part in spreading Christmas joy to the families we serve.
Stay tuned ā more details (and the Amazon link!) will be coming your way soon.
You may have noticed that our updates were a bit quieter during July and August. The past couple of months have been a health challenge for me. After returning from vacation in early July, I began experiencing ongoing fevers and body aches. By early August, I had battled a fever for 15 of the previous 25 days. After many tests and even a trip to the ER, I was diagnosed with two mono-like viruses and Lyme disease. I am grateful to be on the mend and reminded, as the seasons change, that God truly does make all things new.
With school back in session and the crispness of fall in the air, I find comfort in how the shifting seasons reflect Godās control over His creation. While everything around us changes, God remains constantāand we can rest in the promise that Christ will one day make all things new.
Iām also excited to share some wonderful news from Alpha Care Center! Over the past few months, weāve been working with PreBorn to secure a grant for a new ultrasound machine. PreBorn provides these grants to pregnancy resource centers committed to sharing the Gospel with their clients. Our staff and volunteers have completed all the required training, and Iām thrilled to announce that Alpha has been awarded a grant for a brand-new machine for our Lowell location!
This upgrade will allow us to move our current Lowell machine to Lake Odessa and trade in the older Lake Odessa machine to help offset the cost. (PreBorn doesnāt require this, but we want to be good stewards of our resources.) Stay tuned for a special announcement once the new machine arrives!
Thank you for your continued prayers and support. Your partnership helps us bring hope, truth, and life to the families we serve.
In His grace, Stephanie Wellwood Executive Director
As part of our recent grant application with PreBorn!, all Alpha staff and volunteers completed evangelism training. In addition to our clinic and Earn While You Learn data, we are now also tracking spiritual impactāreporting monthly on:
Gospel presentations
Invitations to accept Christ
Commitments to Christ
At Alpha Care Center, our purpose remains steady:
āWe envision a compassionate community where clarity, companionship, and Christās love guide every step. We seek to nurture lives, strengthen families, and build a supporting community grounded in faith, where each individual is valued and uplifted. Together, we strive to be a beacon of hope, embracing every life with love, compassion, and the unwavering presence of Christ.ā
Our vision is to save babies by introducing people to Christ. While not every client desires to hear the Gospel, we believe everyone deserves the opportunity. Regardless of faith background, every client receives the same compassionate care rooted in Christās love.
Hereās a glimpse of how God has been moving:
June
The Gospel was shared 2 times
1 client rededicated her life to Christ
Staff and volunteers prayed with 17 clients
July
10 clients shared their testimony of salvation with us
The Gospel was shared 4 times
Invitations were given 3 times
2 medical clients accepted Christ as Savior
Staff and volunteers prayed with 25 clients
God has truly blessed Alpha with staff and volunteers who love Him deeply. Please continue to pray for them as they walk alongside clients with compassion, truth, and hope.
Weāre thrilled to invite you to join us for a special evening at our annual Vision of Life Dinner ā a night to celebrate life, faith, and the impact weāre making together in our community.
This yearās theme, Forward in Faith, reminds us that when truth is seen, hearts are changed. Together, weāll enjoy a delicious meal, inspiring stories, and a chance to look ahead at the life-transforming work God is calling us to in the year to come.
Dinner is complimentary, but seating is limited. Please reserve your spot today by visiting https://givebutter.com/RYyVlt or scanning the QR code below.
We canāt wait to spend this memorable evening with you ā celebrating victories, sharing vision, and pressing forward in faith.
This is a perfect opportunity to invite friends or family who would love to learn more about Alpha Care Centerās mission. Reserve your seats early ā we expect a full house!
We are overflowing with gratitude ā and baby bottles! š
Thanks to your generosity, this yearās Baby Bottle Boomerang has exceeded our fundraising goal! While weāre still counting coins, cash, and generous online gifts, our early totals show that youāve made a powerful impact on the lives of local moms, dads, and little ones.
Every bottle you filled, every dollar you gave, and every share on social media ā it all added up to something BIG. Because of you, more families will receive the free support, education, and compassionate care they need during pregnancy and early parenting.
š¼ But guess what? The baby bottles donāt disappear after June. Our bottles are available year-round for anyone who wants to keep collecting change or host a mini drive anytime! Every penny counts ā no matter the season.
With 44 registered participants and beautiful sunshine overhead, our community came together to walk with purposeāand weāre so thankful you were a part of it. Whether you walked, gave, or cheered us on from afar, your support meant the world.
š Together, we raised approximately $4,400 to support the life-giving work of Alpha Care Center! While we didnāt quite reach our $12,000 goal, the connections, encouragement, and joy shared that day were absolutely priceless.
Your generosity helps provide:
Free pregnancy testing and first-trimester ultrasounds
Parenting classes and material support
Hope, resources, and compassionate care for women and families in our community
šø Want to relive the day? Check out the full photo gallery on our Partners of Alpha Care Center Facebook page: š View the Photo Gallery
If you missed your chance to donate, thereās still time to help us reach our goal: š Make a donation today
Thank you for walking alongside us. Together, weāre making strides toward a stronger, supported, and life-affirming community.
š Strides for Life šāāļøšāāļø š Kids Fun Run & 5K Run/Walk š
On Saturday, June 28, Alpha Care Center will host the annual Strides for Life event, a family-friendly 5K run/walk and Kids Fun Run dedicated to supporting the life-affirming work of Alpha Care Center. The event will take place at Riverwalk Plaza, next to the Showboat, Lowell, MI, with the Kids Fun Run starting at 5:45 PM and the 5K run/walk commencing at 6:00 PM.
Participants of all ages are encouraged to join, whether aiming for a personal best or enjoying a leisurely walk with friends and family. The event not only promotes fitness and community spirit but also raises funds to Alpha continue to provide free services such as ultrasounds, pregnancy support, and parenting resources for local women, men, and families in need.
Registration fees are set at $30 for the 5K and $20 for the Kids Fun Run. Participants can register online through the official event page by click on the button below.
Canāt join us physically? Community members are also invited to support the cause by becoming fundraisers or donating directly to the Alpha Care Center. Every contribution helps sustain the center’s mission to offer compassionate care and resources to those facing unplanned pregnancies.
Whether you’re racing for a personal best or enjoying a walk with friends, this family-friendly event is a powerful way to stand for life and support local women, men, and families in need. For more information, registration, or to make a donation, please visit the official Strides for Life event page.
We are halfway through our Baby Bottle Boomerang. With just a few weeks left to gather your change, have you checked:
the couch cushions
old purses and wallets
junk drawers
under your car seats and cupholders
When your bottle is full, you can return it to Alpha and pick up a new one. If you prefer to write a check or make a credit card or Venmo payment, we will accept that too. While you can collect change in your baby bottles all year long, we are placing a special emphasis on this fundraiser until Fatherās Day.
š Celebrating Life Month šāØ Honoring God, Cherishing Life
June is recognized as Life Month in honor of the historic overturning of Roe v. Wade through the Dobbs decisionātwo major victories for life that we continue to celebrate and praise God for. At Alpha Care Center, we see the impact of this shift every day. Every pregnancy test, every ultrasound, and every parenting class is an opportunity to walk alongside women and men as they choose life and grow confidently as parents. While much of the world turns its attention elsewhere this month, we are pausing to thank God, the Author of all life, for His beautiful design and the lives being saved and transformed through this ministry.
šø May is both National Teen Pregnancy Prevention Monthand Maternal Mental Health Month šø
May is both National Teen Pregnancy Prevention Month and Maternal Mental Health Monthāa time to raise awareness and offer hope. At Alpha Care Center, we recognize the unique challenges young women and mothers face when navigating unexpected pregnancies and the emotional journey of motherhood.
Through compassionate support, education, and practical resources, Alpha Care Center walks alongside teens to help them make informed decisions for their futures. We also provide ongoing care for new and expectant moms, because mental health mattersāespecially during and after pregnancy.
Whether itās through our Earn While You Learn program, mentoring relationships, or simply a listening ear, our goal is to meet each woman where sheās at and show her that hope that can be found in Jesus.
This May, join us in praying for the young women in our community and for the mothers who are walking a brave, beautiful, and sometimes heavy road.
If you would like to help in a tangible way, consider being a part of our Baby Bottle Boomerang from Mother’s Day (May 11, 2025) to Father’s Day (June 15, 2025). There are no requirements except to pick up your baby bottle(s) from the Alpha Care Center location of your choice (Lake Odessa or Lowell) and return the bottle filled with coin, cash, or checks. Pick up another bottle and repeat. We count the coins for you. If you prefer to write a check or make a credit card or Venmo payment, we will accept that too.
šš¶ A Strong Start: More Clients, More Care, More Impact in 2025! šš
Alpha Care Center is off to a strong start in 2025. When comparing 1st Quarter 2024 to 1st Quarter 2025, we have had an 83% increase in the number of new client visits and an 82% increase in the number of ultrasounds we have performed. The number of unique clients we have served and the number of pregnancy tests performed have also increased.
šø Welcome to SpringtimeāA Season of Renewal & Hope! āļøšæ
Spring is one of my favorite times of the year. My senses awaken to the sights, sounds, and scents of the season. I love watching the once-dormant trees come back to lifeāthe red buds fading as fresh green leaves emerge. Have you ever noticed the earthy scent of the ground thawing? That unmistakable smell of new beginnings, as worms wiggle through the soil, preparing the way for daffodils and hyacinths to bloom.
My husband and I are avid bird watchers, and early mornings are filled with natureās melodiesāthe sharp e-e-e of blue jays demanding their peanut feeder be refilled, the small but mighty song of the Carolina wren, and the rhythmic drumming of woodpeckers echoing through the trees.
Spring is a beautiful reminder that God makes all things new. Lamentations 3:22-23 reassures us that His mercies are fresh every morning, a gift of renewal and grace. At Alpha, we strive to share that same hope with our clientsāthat through Him, they can be set free from their past and step into a new beginning.
Earlier in March, I received a text from one of our Client Advocates in the Lake Odessa office. She reported that she had a conversation with a former client of Alphaās. With tears, this client informed her that Alpha had changed her life. The client stated that she was in a bad place when she came to Alpha, and she shared how God used Alpha to turn her life around. This client has connected with a local church and has even started to study the Bible with one of our other clients. Many thanks to our volunteers who spend many hours with our clients and donāt see results right away – sometimes it takes years for that seed to germinate.
If you would like to help in a tangible way, consider being a part of our Baby Bottle Boomerang from Mother’s Day (May 11, 2025) to Father’s Day (June 15, 2025). There are no requirements except to pick up your baby bottle(s) from the Alpha Care Center location of your choice (Lake Odess or Lowell) and return the bottle filled. Pick up another bottle and repeat. We count the coins for you. If you prefer to write a check or make a credit card or Venmo payment, we will accept that too.
The 2024 Impact Report provides an overview of the services Alpha Care Center provides, along with client testimonials, key statistics, and a five-year snapshot of our total reach. As a 501(c)(3) organization, Alpha Care Center is fully funded by the generosity of our supporters, and this report highlights the incredible impact of your giving. It also celebrates our amazing volunteers and offers new ways to get involved in 2025.
To start March off strong, our staff and volunteers are completing training in N-E-T-S (Non-Threatening Evangelism Training System), led by Scott Smith and Dan Bowers of Sebewa Baptist Church. This training is a condensed version of the 10-week Sunday School series and is tailored to equip Alphaās team to share the Gospel with our clients and their families. Alpha Care Center exists to save babies by pointing people to Christ, and this training will strengthen our ability to do just that.
At our February 4th board meeting, Alphaās Board of Directors approved a revised mission statement (see image below). Additionally, the Board is exploring a new location for our Lake Odessa center. We have outgrown our current space and need additional client rooms, as well as more privacy for those attending classes. Please pray for wisdom and guidance as we navigate this process.
If you have expertise in running a capital campaign and would be willing to offer insight, please reach out to meāI would love to hear your thoughts.
Ministry is a 24/7 calling, and if Iām being honest, Iāve been feeling the effect of the short winter days and the negativity in the world. My heart has been heavy. But I was recently reminded that our hope is in Christ alone. He is the only one who can bring true peace and unity to a broken world.
Jesus tells us in John 14:27, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” In times of weariness, it is reassuring to know that we are never alone in this ministryāthat we are upheld by the prayers of faithful supporters like you.
Please keep Alpha Care Center, our staff, volunteers, and clients in your prayers. And if you feel led, I would be grateful for your prayers for renewed strength and encouragement as I continue to lead this ministry. You can download Alpha Care Centerās March calendar by clicking on the link below.
Thank you for standing with us in this mission. Your prayers and support make a lasting difference.
In Christ,
Stephanie Wellwood Executive Director, Alpha Care Center
With your support, 2024 has been an incredible year of progress. We hosted three major fundraisers: the Ladies Luncheon & Silent Auction in March, Strides for Life in June, and the Vision for Life Dinner in October. Thanks to your generous contributions, we met our fundraising goals for each event, equipping us to serve our community effectively.
Our Board of Directors has embraced a renewed focus on strategic planning while providing faithful oversight. Though we said farewell to some members, we also welcomed new ones who are committed to leading Alpha Care Center into a promising future.
Of course, none of this would be possible without our dedicated team of staff and volunteers. With 7 part-time and 1 full-time staff members, along with 22 committed volunteers, we logged nearly 2,000 hours of service at our Lake Odessa and Lowell locations. Their selfless contributions have been instrumental in reaching and serving our community.
Impact by the Numbers
Our programs have seen remarkable growth in 2024, especially in our Earn While You Learn (EWYL) and Medical programs: EWYL Clients: Lake Odessa: 239 (2023: 153) Lowell: 403 (2023: 267) Combined: 642 (2023: 420) Medical Clients: Lake Odessa: 20 (2023: 12) Lowell: 58 (2023: 48) Combined: 78 (2023: 60) Ultrasounds Performed: 47 (2023: 39)
Through these programs, we have been able to share the love of Christ, not only with our clients but also with their families, our donors, and community partners. We believe in the truth that each person is made in Godās image, and it is our privilege to walk alongside those we serve.
Looking Ahead to 2025
As we move into 2025, we have several pressing needs and prayer requests. Our Lake Odessa location has outgrown its current space, and we are in urgent need of a new building to better serve our clients with adequate privacy, storage, and meeting spaces. Please join us in praying for wisdom and provision as we seek a solution. Our budget for 2025 has been carefully planned, but we are entirely dependent on the generosity of individuals and churches to meet our financial needs. While monthly giving decreased in 2024, we trust God to provide as we continue to steward these resources wisely.
Volunteers are the backbone of our ministry, and as our client numbers grow, so does our need for more hands and hearts to serve. Pray with us for bold, faith-filled volunteers who will share the love of Christ and the hope of the Gospel with those in need.
Finally, we ask you to continue praying for our clients, many of whom face financial hardships, pregnancy loss, custody battles, or struggles with faith. May Alpha Care Center be a beacon of hope, offering guidance, reassurance, and the love of Christ in every interaction
An Invitation to Partner with Us
As I look toward 2025, I am filled with hope and anticipation for what God will do. If you feel led to join us, there are many ways to partner with Alpha Care Center. Whether youād like to volunteer, serve on our Board of Directors, join our Event Planning Committee, become a daily prayer warrior, commit to monthly giving, or sponsor an event, we would love to connect with you.
Thank you for making 2024 a year of growth and impact. Hereās to a new year filled with Godās promises and abundant blessin
When the local Public Schools are closed for inclement weather, so is the local Alpha Care Center. WhenĀ Lakewood Public SchoolsĀ are closed for inclement weather – the Lakewood location will be closed. WhenĀ Lowell Public SchoolsĀ are closed for inclement weather – the Lowell location will be closed.Ā We will do our best to notify all clients of any closures and will post information on ourĀ Alpha Care Center – ClientsĀ andĀ Partners of Alpha Care CenterĀ Facebook pages.Ā
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