Merry Christmas!

Dear Friend, 

Merry Christmas to you and yours from the Stanton SoCal team! As we enter this beautiful season, I am struck yet again by the reality that Jesus Christ came to earth as a tiny baby. He loved us so much that He took on human flesh to redeem us, and He didn’t come as a fully grown man, but as a vulnerable infant born to a young virgin mother.  

The tender image of Mary holding her newborn baby, the Savior of the world, means so much more to me than ever. Every day in the Stanton Mobile parked outside Planned Parenthood, our team is ministering to young, impoverished mothers who often have nowhere else to go. These pregnant moms are often surprised by their pregnancy, and although they learn of it through a positive pregnancy test (not the angel Gabriel), they certainly have much in common with Jesus’ mother.  

It is my honor and joy to serve our Stanton moms and their babies with the same gentleness and generosity that I imagine Mary would have appreciated during her pregnancy. Mary found no room at the inn, but at Stanton Healthcare, we do our very best to ensure every precious client and her baby are provided for.  

In a marvelous full circle, we serve our moms and babies with love because Jesus Christ, who came to earth as Mary’s sweet little baby, first loved us.  

Take a look at some of our recent Stanton Babies in the gallery below! Their mothers shared photos with us along with notes of thanks for the care they received at Stanton SoCal.

One special client, Rebecca, called the Stanton hotline after visiting Planned Parenthood. She had received a positive pregnancy test at the abortion clinic and was shocked by the news. Rebecca and her longtime boyfriend, Paul, were unsure of what to think or what to do, but they weren’t offered any actual help or hope by Planned Parenthood staff. So, Rebecca called Stanton. 

Rebecca and Paul were welcomed at the Stanton Mobile by Roxy, our Client Care Coordinator and Blanca, our ultrasound technician. Roxy and Blanca helped them feel safe and comfortable, and the story just poured out.

Rebecca had suffered a miscarriage that had a lasting effect on her and her boyfriend, she had no medical insurance, and her entire family was out of state. As Roxy told me later: “you could tell that Rebecca wanted to be happy but was scared.”  

Moments later, Blanca performed an ultrasound scan on Rebecca, and as the incredible image of a tiny living baby appeared on the screen, tears of joy overwhelmed both Rebecca and Paul.  

At Planned Parenthood, Rebecca and Paul didn’t find help
because they weren’t ready to buy an abortion.  

At the Stanton Mobile, Rebecca and Paul found hope and healing
in a time of uncertainty and fear.  

In Rebecca’s own words: 

“On May 9th, 2024 I found out I was pregnant at 6 months. I had no idea that I was going to do due to having no health insurance. I was told to go to the purple bus right outside Planned Parenthood and they’d be able to give me some sort of info on my pregnancy. I came across 2 wonderful women who were willing to help a scared girl who was becoming a first-time mom. [Stanton staff Roxy and Blanca] helped me with getting insurance and finding a doctor who took high-risk patients. And they were also able to give me my first ultrasound and tell me the gender of my baby all in one day. Because of Stanton Healthcare, everything turned out amazing for me.”  

Rebecca and Paul left the Stanton Mobile that day in May, empowered by the care and support they received at Stanton. And that was just the beginning – Roxy continued to check in weekly with Rebecca as her pregnancy progressed, serving and supporting her in numerous ways.  

Roxy shared with me: “Praying with Rebecca was such a blessing! It was a privilege to see God work in her life as she found a provider and local community resources.” 

Rebecca and Paul welcomed their beautiful baby girl this past summer, and they are happy and thriving thanks to the love and support they found at Stanton.  

Every single one of our Stanton clients is offered the same customized, professional, compassionate care that Rebecca received. Our staff often have the privilege of walking through an entire pregnancy with a client from the moment of positive pregnancy test to birth and beyond!  

It is truly a humbling experience to serve clients like these three young women: 

“I was grateful that you helped me at fully no cost. I never received a bill so that was nice at a stressful and scary time. Blanca also made me feel very safe and comfortable, and told me about other resources if I needed them. Which made me feel at ease at that time because I was in between insurances and nobody else would help me.” - Summer 

"I had such a wonderful experience at Stanton! I saw Blanca, and she was super kind and encouraging. She checked up on me almost every week to make sure I was doing ok and continued to check on me after I had my baby. She even brought me some diapers and wipes for our little one. I absolutely loved my visit with Stanton.” - Caitlin 

“My experience with Stanton was amazing. Everyone there was kind and made me feel so loved. I’m forever grateful for Stanton!”  - Keira 

These Stanton Moms encountered many of the same emotions I imagine Jesus’ mother Mary experienced. And although we are living 2000+ years after Jesus’ birth, I always pray that the Stanton team can serve our sweet clients with the same care they would have shown to Mary in a challenging and scary time.  

And as you can see by the Stanton Moms’ own words above, I know we are succeeding in that mission! I praise God for allowing us to serve in this life-changing ministry.  

Take a look at some of the wonderful clients we have served in recent days at the Stanton Mobile:

Now, I need to share with you some serious and critical news.  

I am writing you today not only to wish you a blessed and merry Christmas, but also to ask for your help in a very challenging time for Stanton SoCal. Our updates to you, our dear friends and supporters, always include a request for your continued prayers and financial support, but this letter is different.  

I am sorry to share that unless we see a significant increase in giving before the end of 2024, Stanton SoCal will be forced to cut expenses and decrease our hours of operation in 2025.  

The Stanton Mobile has been open 4 days a week for years in front of Planned Parenthood, and we have been committed to maintaining that schedule as long as possible. Every day the Mobile is open, women who might otherwise choose abortion have a different option – they can choose LIFE and HOPE with the support of our amazing team in the Stanton Mobile. Babies are being saved from abortion at Stanton! It is incredible!    

But today, as I review our finances for the year and budget for 2025, I am faced with the reality that unless our income increases, we cannot afford to stay open 4 days a week any longer. We have been drawing from our small savings each month, and there is a finite amount remaining. God recently provided a volunteer sonographer which has brought down some of our expenses, but it is still not enough to balance the budget.  

Inflation, mandated wage increases (thanks, California!), and additional fuel and insurance costs are simply eating into our budget and we don’t have enough donations every month to cover the current costs. We account carefully for every penny and the majority of our staff are volunteers, but the numbers don’t lie.  

Now, I want to pause here and emphasize two things: 

First, God has and will always provide a way. We are trusting Him that even if we draw our last penny from savings, God will sustain this ministry as long as He wills it.  

Second, our past and present faithful donors have given above and beyond over all these years, and we are immeasurably grateful for every gift to further the ministry of Stanton.  

Even as I wrote the words “we cannot afford to stay open 4 days a week” above, I knew in my heart that the Lord will provide. I have faith that He will stir in the hearts of His people to step up and stand with Stanton in this time of crisis.  

I am asking you today, as you read this letter, to pray and consider 
giving a special Christmas gift to Stanton Healthcare.  

If you already make a monthly donation, thank you. Your gifts have sustained us this far, and we are so grateful. If you are able, please consider increasing the amount of your monthly pledge, or make a new monthly commitment if you have not yet.  

If you are able to make a one-time donation to help us enter 2025 with a balanced budget, please send your gift before December 31.  

You can donate securely online here, or by sending a check made out to Stanton SoCal to P.O. Box 189, Wrightwood, CA 92397. 

All gifts are tax-deductible, since we are a 501(c)(3) recognized by the IRS. But even more importantly, all gifts are stewarded well and used directly for client care and clinic operations. Our fundraising budget is just paper, ink and stamps!  

I have never written a letter like this before, and I hope I never have to write a similar one again. Please take a moment to pray over the ministry of Stanton, make a special Christmas gift, and help us Build a Community of Hope and Healing in 2025 for the sake of all the precious moms and babies we serve. 

Thank you, and Merry Christmas! 

With Hope, 

Sienna Melendez 

Executive Director, Stanton SoCal 

*Clients’ stories and photos shared with permission; all names changed to protect privacy.