Loving, compassionate, completely confidential help. “It is the right of every pregnant woman to give birth, and the right of every child to be born.”

YOUR FINANCIAL CONTRIBUTION

$10 helps p for a pregnancy test. $25 helps with parenting classes, medical care or school. $50 helps with advertising such as billboards and other media. $100 helps with rent, utility bills and other day-to-day expenses.

Enclosed is my gift of _______ to help Birthright provide positive and loving alternatives to abortion.

Name ___________________________________________________

Address ___________________________________________________ City, State, Zip __________________________________________________

In honor of In memory of Name:________________________________ Please notify: Name ____________________________________________ Address ____________________________________________ City, State, Zip ____________________________________________

Donations to Birthright are tax deductible. Please make checks payable to Birthright of Columbia.

I would like more information on volunteering at Birthright of Columbia.

E-mail __________________________________ Phone _________________________

ay

Taylor St.

Bull St.

Harden St.

Gervais St.

Hampton St.

Pickens St.

Barnwell St.

Gregg St.

Washington St

Laurens St.

Loving, compassionate, completely confidential help. “It is the right of every pregnant woman to give birth, and the right of every child to be born.”

1405 Gregg StreetColumbia, SC 29201803.765.0165www.BirthrightOfColumbia.org

Non-ProfitOrganizationUS Postage

PAIDPermit No. 362

Columbia

YOUR GIFT IS IMPORTANT!$10 helps provide a pregnancy test.$25 helps a birth mother or father obtain their GED.$50 helps advertising with Yellow Pages and other media.$100 helps with rent, utility bills, Birthright’s 24-hour Hotline and other day-to-day expenses.q My employer will match my gift. Matching gift form enclosed.

Enclosed is my gift of $________________ to help Birthright provide positive and loving alternatives to abortion.

NAME

ADDrESS

CItY, StAtE, ZIP

q In honor of q In memory of NAMEPlease notify:

NAME

ADDrESS

CItY, StAtE, ZIP

Donations to Birthright are tax deductible. Please make checks payable to Birthright of Columbia.I would like more information on volunteering at Birthright of Columbia.

EMAIl PHONE

Winter 2015 www.BirthrightOfColumbia.org 1405 Gregg Street

(803) 765-0165 Columbia, SC 29201

By Kelli Brown

After working at Birthright for over thirty-five years, Hank Chardos is used

to receiving phone calls from past clients, thanking him for the kind words and

resources he or other volunteers have provided. But this phone call was different.

After playing phone tag for months, Hank was finally connected with Smifeccia

“Smiley” Tynes, a friendly woman who asked Hank, “Do you remember me?”

Smiley had an abundance of great news for Hank. Not only is she now working at

God’s Storehouse and hoping to provide assistance to Birthright clients, but the

pregnancy that had led her to Birthright so many years ago resulted in a 21 year old

student graduating with a Pre-Med degree from Duke University.

When Smiley walked into the Birthright office at 20 years old, she felt

confident that she was pregnant, and the thought terrified her. Like many Birthright

clients, Smiley was single at the time, and this potential pregnancy plagued her with

many questions: Will my life ever be the same? How will I do this alone? Can

anyone help me? Am I ready to be a mom? Even after twenty-one years, Smiley still remembers Hank’s message. She

said, “I just remember telling Hank about my situation, and he smiled and said, ‘It’s okay. God’s got you.’” She walked out of

the Birthright office that day with an overwhelming feeling of hope, knowing that the life growing inside of her couldn’t be

further from a mistake.

Smiley gave birth to a beautiful baby girl, Brendane Tynes, who excelled in school, was accepted to Duke

University, and is graduating this spring with honors and a double major in Pre-Med and Cultural Anthropology with a minor

in Spanish. But the success stories don’t stop there. Smiley is now the Operations Manager at God’s Storehouse, a

resource that supplies free food, clothing, and household supplies to those in a crisis, helping an average of 25 families

each day. Birthright could not be prouder of these inspiring women’s lives.

Smiley’s case is one that we see every day. Women everywhere, regardless of race, social standing, or relationship

status, feel scared and sometimes alone when they suspect they are carrying an unplanned life. Birthright’s one and only

goal is to provide a friendly face to those who are unsure of their future, and to connect them with resources that will help

them to carry out God’s plan. We congratulate both Smiley and Brendane on their countless successes, and Birthright

thanks you for your continued support of our mission.

Birthright of Columbia 35 Years

1980 - 2015

Photo: Brendane Tynes at Duke

University.

IRTHRIGHT of Columbia

IRTHRIGHT of Columbia

Spring 2016 www.BirthrightOfColumbia.org 1405 Gregg Street (803) 765-0165 Columbia, SC 29201

In fall 2015, I was one of eight University of South Carolina nursing students searching to find a place to complete community service hours for a required course. While collectively searching for a non-profit organization to fulfill the course requirements, one of our classmates, McKenzie Bray, signed up to do her

volunteer hours at Birthright of Columbia. Nobody else in the group was familiar with Birthright of Columbia, but time was running out! The eight of us selected Birthright not knowing what a blessing it would end up for

us. As we showed up at the first volunteer training meeting on September 22, everyone was a little nervous because we were unsure of what Birthright was or what capacities we would serve as volunteers. When we walked in and met Mr. Hank, we immediately felt relieved because he greeted us all with a hug and offered us water and cookies. What a relief! As we sat through the meeting and learned more about Birthright’s mission, we all began to loosen up and become excited about how we could serve the community through our volunteer hours at Birthright.

Fast forward a month or so, we find ourselves sitting in on client interviews and conducting pregnancy tests. One of the greatest things we learned at Birthright is the words you say and how you say them can have a huge impact on a client. Mr. Hank and the other Office Volunteers may not always have the “right” thing to say but they always say it in a way that is comforting. This allows the client to open up. Samantha, one of the nursing students, said that volunteering affected her perspective regarding her future career as a nurse. She felt that her time at Birthright strengthened her ability to connect with clients and listen to their story. Clearly, it is more about listening to the client rather than having the right thing to say. Most people simply need to be heard. At the conclusion of our time at Birthright, we hosted a December baby shower. McKenzie said that her most memorable experience at Birthright was in the beginning of our volunteer experience. McKenzie reflected on the time she convinced a client to keep her baby as she was considering an abortion. McKenzie said that the client she spoke to that day was at the baby shower so happy and eight months pregnant!For the baby shower, the eight of us set up a fundraising site on campus and raised nearly $ 250. Additionally, we gathered donations from people around Columbia including diapers, baby wipes, and diaper ointment. More than 50 Moms attended the shower. Baby clothes and health care items were handed out and cake and games were enjoyed by all. Needless to say, the baby shower was quite a success! Volunteering at Birthright was an absolute joy! The volunteers were always so welcoming and friendly. Birthright was able to open our eyes to some of the struggles that pregnant women face and allowed us to assist in providing resources to help them. Birthright is an excellent support system for pregnant girls and women. We will never forget our time at Birthright.

USC Nurses at BirthrightCareer and Life Enhancing ExperiencesTaylor St.

Bull St.

Harden St.

Gervais St.

Hampton St.

Pickens St.

Barnwell St.

Gregg St.

Washington St

Laurens St.

Loving, compassionate, completely confidential help. “It is the right of every pregnant woman to give birth, and the right of every child to be born.”

1405 Gregg StreetColumbia, SC 29201803.765.0165www.BirthrightOfColumbia.org

Non-ProfitOrganizationUS Postage

PAIDPermit No. 362

Columbia

YOUR GIFT IS IMPORTANT!$10 helps provide a pregnancy test.$25 helps a birth mother or father obtain their GED.$50 helps advertising with Yellow Pages and other media.$100 helps with rent, utility bills, Birthright’s 24-hour Hotline and other day-to-day expenses.q My employer will match my gift. Matching gift form enclosed.

Enclosed is my gift of $________________ to help Birthright provide positive and loving alternatives to abortion.

NAME

ADDrESS

CItY, StAtE, ZIP

q In honor of q In memory of NAMEPlease notify:

NAME

ADDrESS

CItY, StAtE, ZIP

Donations to Birthright are tax deductible. Please make checks payable to Birthright of Columbia.I would like more information on volunteering at Birthright of Columbia.

EMAIl PHONE

Winter 2015 www.BirthrightOfColumbia.org 1405 Gregg Street

(803) 765-0165 Columbia, SC 29201

By Kelli Brown

After working at Birthright for over thirty-five years, Hank Chardos is used

to receiving phone calls from past clients, thanking him for the kind words and

resources he or other volunteers have provided. But this phone call was different.

After playing phone tag for months, Hank was finally connected with Smifeccia

“Smiley” Tynes, a friendly woman who asked Hank, “Do you remember me?”

Smiley had an abundance of great news for Hank. Not only is she now working at

God’s Storehouse and hoping to provide assistance to Birthright clients, but the

pregnancy that had led her to Birthright so many years ago resulted in a 21 year old

student graduating with a Pre-Med degree from Duke University.

When Smiley walked into the Birthright office at 20 years old, she felt

confident that she was pregnant, and the thought terrified her. Like many Birthright

clients, Smiley was single at the time, and this potential pregnancy plagued her with

many questions: Will my life ever be the same? How will I do this alone? Can

anyone help me? Am I ready to be a mom? Even after twenty-one years, Smiley still remembers Hank’s message. She

said, “I just remember telling Hank about my situation, and he smiled and said, ‘It’s okay. God’s got you.’” She walked out of

the Birthright office that day with an overwhelming feeling of hope, knowing that the life growing inside of her couldn’t be

further from a mistake.

Smiley gave birth to a beautiful baby girl, Brendane Tynes, who excelled in school, was accepted to Duke

University, and is graduating this spring with honors and a double major in Pre-Med and Cultural Anthropology with a minor

in Spanish. But the success stories don’t stop there. Smiley is now the Operations Manager at God’s Storehouse, a

resource that supplies free food, clothing, and household supplies to those in a crisis, helping an average of 25 families

each day. Birthright could not be prouder of these inspiring women’s lives.

Smiley’s case is one that we see every day. Women everywhere, regardless of race, social standing, or relationship

status, feel scared and sometimes alone when they suspect they are carrying an unplanned life. Birthright’s one and only

goal is to provide a friendly face to those who are unsure of their future, and to connect them with resources that will help

them to carry out God’s plan. We congratulate both Smiley and Brendane on their countless successes, and Birthright

thanks you for your continued support of our mission.

Birthright of Columbia 35 Years

1980 - 2015

Photo: Brendane Tynes at Duke

University.

Birthright of Columbia established the Dr. Herbert M. Black Memorial Award to acknowledge groups and individuals who have supported Birthright. The award was established in memory of Dr. Herbert M. Black, a long-time Columbia Obstetrician-Gynecologist, who provided aid beginning in 1980 for many of the pregnant girls and women who came to Birthright. Dr. Black passed away in 1982.

The 2015 Dr. Herbert M. Black Memorial Award was presented to Janie Powell of Congaree Baptist Church. Congaree Baptist Church, under the organization and leadership of Pastor David Mullins and Janie, has provided invaluable support. Over the past six years, Congaree Baptist Church has provided maternity, baby clothes and health care items in addition to financial assistance and support toward Birthright’s annual “Baby Bottle Campaign.” Birthright has been blessed by Janie’s initiative to share Birthright’s mission with her supportive church.

The Dr. Herbert M. Black Memorial Award was also presented to the Frank Scheper Family. The Scheper family attended the same church as Hank and Sally Chardos. Frank learned of Birthright’s need for office space to start a Birthright Chapter and generously offered an office for Birthright in 1980 without charging rent. And so, the Scheper Family’s generosity allowed Birthright to begin serving the community! Over the years, led by Frank’s daughter, Linda, financial support has been provided to strengthen Birthright’s efforts. Frank, age 93, attended the Birthright February Board meeting with daughter, Cecile McLendon and son, Gregory Scheper to receive the award.

2016 Dr. Herbert M. Black Memorial Awards

Spring 2016 Page 2 Spring 2016 Page 3

Sally and Hank Chardos present award to Janie Powell, representing Congaree Baptist Church.

Sally and Hank Chardos present award to Frank Scheper.

Board of Directors

Sister Nancy HendershotDan Leonardi, Esq., Secretary

Jennifer MorrisBrian Rosefield

Scott Shockley, ChairpersonGeorge Watt, MD, Co-Chairperson

Darryl WilliamsTerry Williams, CPA, Treasurer

Hank Chardos, Executive Director Support Birthright through Midlands Giveson May 3 via Facebook and email efforts.

Birthright of Columbia is excited to announce their newest Board Member, Scott Shockley. Scott joined the Birthright Board in November 2015. Scott’s marketing and advertising expertise will add breadth to the Board’s ability to support and assist Birthright’s mission.

Scott Shockley is Vice President, Territory Manager for Lamar Advertising of Columbia. Scott has served his company in various markets in Florida and Virginia for over 30 years. A native of Virginia, it took Scott several years (and “encouragement” by his wife Kelly) after living in Columbia to realize Virginia isn’t the South after all. Scott and Kelly have called Columbia home for the past 19 years, and are blessed with two Tigers, Perri (23) and Braden (21). Scott is an active runner, an occasional “duffer,” loves to cook and cherishes any and all time spent with his family. Scott attends Eastminister Presbyterian Church and has been a leader in the following community agencies: United Way, Outdoor Advertising Association of SC, Crimestoppers and Palmetto Life Line.

Scott feels that serving on Birthright’s Board is an incredible opportunity. “It is evident that Birthright is blessed with an incredible staff, volunteers, and Board who are all committed to preserving life and giving a voice to the voiceless.”

Introducing New Board Member, Scott Schockley

Gone GreenIf you would like to receive the Newsletter via email, please send us your email address to:

hank@birthrightofcolumbia.orgThis saves resources and still allows you to read the Newsletter at your leisure. Birthright respects your privacy and does not sell nor rent our email address list.

BIRTHRIGHT BABY SHOWER!

(Hosted by USC Student Nurses)

A joyful and spirited celebration to provide moms and their babies with much needed items and hope: • Infant gowns and sleepers • Crib sheets and crib blankets • Receiving blankets • Disposable diapers and wipes • Diaper ointment, baby wash and lotion

24APRIL

1pm - 3pm

BIRTHRIGHT BABY SHOWER!

(Hosted by USC Student Nurses)

A joyful and spirited celebration to provide moms and their babies with much needed items and hope: • Infant gowns and sleepers • Crib sheets and crib blankets • Receiving blankets • Disposable diapers and wipes • Diaper ointment, baby wash and lotion

24APRIL

1pm - 3pm

S

un

day

1pm

- 3

pm

A joyful and spirited celebration to provide moms and their babies with much needed items and hope:

• Infant gowns and sleepers 0-3 mons. • Crib sheets

• Receiving blankets

• Disposable diapers and wipes

• Diaper ointment, baby wash and lotion

BIRTHRIGHT BABY SHOWER!

(Hosted by USC Student Nurses)

A joyful and spirited celebration to provide moms and their babies with much needed items and hope: • Infant gowns and sleepers • Crib sheets and crib blankets • Receiving blankets • Disposable diapers and wipes • Diaper ointment, baby wash and lotion

24APRIL

1pm - 3pm

Please consider supporting the efforts of the USC Student Nurses.

Birthright of Columbia established the Dr. Herbert M. Black Memorial Award to acknowledge groups and individuals who have supported Birthright. The award was established in memory of Dr. Herbert M. Black, a long-time Columbia Obstetrician-Gynecologist, who provided aid beginning in 1980 for many of the pregnant girls and women who came to Birthright. Dr. Black passed away in 1982.

The 2015 Dr. Herbert M. Black Memorial Award was presented to Janie Powell of Congaree Baptist Church. Congaree Baptist Church, under the organization and leadership of Pastor David Mullins and Janie, has provided invaluable support. Over the past six years, Congaree Baptist Church has provided maternity, baby clothes and health care items in addition to financial assistance and support toward Birthright’s annual “Baby Bottle Campaign.” Birthright has been blessed by Janie’s initiative to share Birthright’s mission with her supportive church.

The Dr. Herbert M. Black Memorial Award was also presented to the Frank Scheper Family. The Scheper family attended the same church as Hank and Sally Chardos. Frank learned of Birthright’s need for office space to start a Birthright Chapter and generously offered an office for Birthright in 1980 without charging rent. And so, the Scheper Family’s generosity allowed Birthright to begin serving the community! Over the years, led by Frank’s daughter, Linda, financial support has been provided to strengthen Birthright’s efforts. Frank, age 93, attended the Birthright February Board meeting with daughter, Cecile McLendon and son, Gregory Scheper to receive the award.

2016 Dr. Herbert M. Black Memorial Awards

Spring 2016 Page 2 Spring 2016 Page 3

Sally and Hank Chardos present award to Janie Powell, representing Congaree Baptist Church.

Sally and Hank Chardos present award to Frank Scheper.

Board of Directors

Sister Nancy HendershotDan Leonardi, Esq., Secretary

Jennifer MorrisBrian Rosefield

Scott Shockley, ChairpersonGeorge Watt, MD, Co-Chairperson

Darryl WilliamsTerry Williams, CPA, Treasurer

Hank Chardos, Executive Director Support Birthright through Midlands Giveson May 3 via Facebook and email efforts.

Birthright of Columbia is excited to announce their newest Board Member, Scott Shockley. Scott joined the Birthright Board in November 2015. Scott’s marketing and advertising expertise will add breadth to the Board’s ability to support and assist Birthright’s mission.

Scott Shockley is Vice President, Territory Manager for Lamar Advertising of Columbia. Scott has served his company in various markets in Florida and Virginia for over 30 years. A native of Virginia, it took Scott several years (and “encouragement” by his wife Kelly) after living in Columbia to realize Virginia isn’t the South after all. Scott and Kelly have called Columbia home for the past 19 years, and are blessed with two Tigers, Perri (23) and Braden (21). Scott is an active runner, an occasional “duffer,” loves to cook and cherishes any and all time spent with his family. Scott attends Eastminister Presbyterian Church and has been a leader in the following community agencies: United Way, Outdoor Advertising Association of SC, Crimestoppers and Palmetto Life Line.

Scott feels that serving on Birthright’s Board is an incredible opportunity. “It is evident that Birthright is blessed with an incredible staff, volunteers, and Board who are all committed to preserving life and giving a voice to the voiceless.”

Introducing New Board Member, Scott Schockley

Gone GreenIf you would like to receive the Newsletter via email, please send us your email address to:

hank@birthrightofcolumbia.orgThis saves resources and still allows you to read the Newsletter at your leisure. Birthright respects your privacy and does not sell nor rent our email address list.

BIRTHRIGHT BABY SHOWER!

(Hosted by USC Student Nurses)

A joyful and spirited celebration to provide moms and their babies with much needed items and hope: • Infant gowns and sleepers • Crib sheets and crib blankets • Receiving blankets • Disposable diapers and wipes • Diaper ointment, baby wash and lotion

24APRIL

1pm - 3pm

BIRTHRIGHT BABY SHOWER!

(Hosted by USC Student Nurses)

A joyful and spirited celebration to provide moms and their babies with much needed items and hope: • Infant gowns and sleepers • Crib sheets and crib blankets • Receiving blankets • Disposable diapers and wipes • Diaper ointment, baby wash and lotion

24APRIL

1pm - 3pm

S

un

day

1pm

- 3

pm

A joyful and spirited celebration to provide moms and their babies with much needed items and hope:

• Infant gowns and sleepers 0-3 mons. • Crib sheets

• Receiving blankets

• Disposable diapers and wipes

• Diaper ointment, baby wash and lotion

BIRTHRIGHT BABY SHOWER!

(Hosted by USC Student Nurses)

A joyful and spirited celebration to provide moms and their babies with much needed items and hope: • Infant gowns and sleepers • Crib sheets and crib blankets • Receiving blankets • Disposable diapers and wipes • Diaper ointment, baby wash and lotion

24APRIL

1pm - 3pm

Please consider supporting the efforts of the USC Student Nurses.

Loving, compassionate, completely confidential help. “It is the right of every pregnant woman to give birth, and the right of every child to be born.”

YOUR FINANCIAL CONTRIBUTION

$10 helps p for a pregnancy test. $25 helps with parenting classes, medical care or school. $50 helps with advertising such as billboards and other media. $100 helps with rent, utility bills and other day-to-day expenses.

Enclosed is my gift of _______ to help Birthright provide positive and loving alternatives to abortion.

Name ___________________________________________________

Address ___________________________________________________ City, State, Zip __________________________________________________

In honor of In memory of Name:________________________________ Please notify: Name ____________________________________________ Address ____________________________________________ City, State, Zip ____________________________________________

Donations to Birthright are tax deductible. Please make checks payable to Birthright of Columbia.

I would like more information on volunteering at Birthright of Columbia.

E-mail __________________________________ Phone _________________________

ay

Taylor St.

Bull St.

Harden St.

Gervais St.

Hampton St.

Pickens St.

Barnwell St.

Gregg St.

Washington St

Laurens St.

Loving, compassionate, completely confidential help. “It is the right of every pregnant woman to give birth, and the right of every child to be born.”

1405 Gregg StreetColumbia, SC 29201803.765.0165www.BirthrightOfColumbia.org

Non-ProfitOrganizationUS Postage

PAIDPermit No. 362

Columbia

YOUR GIFT IS IMPORTANT!$10 helps provide a pregnancy test.$25 helps a birth mother or father obtain their GED.$50 helps advertising with Yellow Pages and other media.$100 helps with rent, utility bills, Birthright’s 24-hour Hotline and other day-to-day expenses.q My employer will match my gift. Matching gift form enclosed.

Enclosed is my gift of $________________ to help Birthright provide positive and loving alternatives to abortion.

NAME

ADDrESS

CItY, StAtE, ZIP

q In honor of q In memory of NAMEPlease notify:

NAME

ADDrESS

CItY, StAtE, ZIP

Donations to Birthright are tax deductible. Please make checks payable to Birthright of Columbia.I would like more information on volunteering at Birthright of Columbia.

EMAIl PHONE

Winter 2015 www.BirthrightOfColumbia.org 1405 Gregg Street

(803) 765-0165 Columbia, SC 29201

By Kelli Brown

After working at Birthright for over thirty-five years, Hank Chardos is used

to receiving phone calls from past clients, thanking him for the kind words and

resources he or other volunteers have provided. But this phone call was different.

After playing phone tag for months, Hank was finally connected with Smifeccia

“Smiley” Tynes, a friendly woman who asked Hank, “Do you remember me?”

Smiley had an abundance of great news for Hank. Not only is she now working at

God’s Storehouse and hoping to provide assistance to Birthright clients, but the

pregnancy that had led her to Birthright so many years ago resulted in a 21 year old

student graduating with a Pre-Med degree from Duke University.

When Smiley walked into the Birthright office at 20 years old, she felt

confident that she was pregnant, and the thought terrified her. Like many Birthright

clients, Smiley was single at the time, and this potential pregnancy plagued her with

many questions: Will my life ever be the same? How will I do this alone? Can

anyone help me? Am I ready to be a mom? Even after twenty-one years, Smiley still remembers Hank’s message. She

said, “I just remember telling Hank about my situation, and he smiled and said, ‘It’s okay. God’s got you.’” She walked out of

the Birthright office that day with an overwhelming feeling of hope, knowing that the life growing inside of her couldn’t be

further from a mistake.

Smiley gave birth to a beautiful baby girl, Brendane Tynes, who excelled in school, was accepted to Duke

University, and is graduating this spring with honors and a double major in Pre-Med and Cultural Anthropology with a minor

in Spanish. But the success stories don’t stop there. Smiley is now the Operations Manager at God’s Storehouse, a

resource that supplies free food, clothing, and household supplies to those in a crisis, helping an average of 25 families

each day. Birthright could not be prouder of these inspiring women’s lives.

Smiley’s case is one that we see every day. Women everywhere, regardless of race, social standing, or relationship

status, feel scared and sometimes alone when they suspect they are carrying an unplanned life. Birthright’s one and only

goal is to provide a friendly face to those who are unsure of their future, and to connect them with resources that will help

them to carry out God’s plan. We congratulate both Smiley and Brendane on their countless successes, and Birthright

thanks you for your continued support of our mission.

Birthright of Columbia 35 Years

1980 - 2015

Photo: Brendane Tynes at Duke

University.

IRTHRIGHT of Columbia

IRTHRIGHT of Columbia

Spring 2016 www.BirthrightOfColumbia.org 1405 Gregg Street (803) 765-0165 Columbia, SC 29201

In fall 2015, I was one of eight University of South Carolina nursing students searching to find a place to complete community service hours for a required course. While collectively searching for a non-profit organization to fulfill the course requirements, one of our classmates, McKenzie Bray, signed up to do her

volunteer hours at Birthright of Columbia. Nobody else in the group was familiar with Birthright of Columbia, but time was running out! The eight of us selected Birthright not knowing what a blessing it would end up for

us. As we showed up at the first volunteer training meeting on September 22, everyone was a little nervous because we were unsure of what Birthright was or what capacities we would serve as volunteers. When we walked in and met Mr. Hank, we immediately felt relieved because he greeted us all with a hug and offered us water and cookies. What a relief! As we sat through the meeting and learned more about Birthright’s mission, we all began to loosen up and become excited about how we could serve the community through our volunteer hours at Birthright.

Fast forward a month or so, we find ourselves sitting in on client interviews and conducting pregnancy tests. One of the greatest things we learned at Birthright is the words you say and how you say them can have a huge impact on a client. Mr. Hank and the other Office Volunteers may not always have the “right” thing to say but they always say it in a way that is comforting. This allows the client to open up. Samantha, one of the nursing students, said that volunteering affected her perspective regarding her future career as a nurse. She felt that her time at Birthright strengthened her ability to connect with clients and listen to their story. Clearly, it is more about listening to the client rather than having the right thing to say. Most people simply need to be heard. At the conclusion of our time at Birthright, we hosted a December baby shower. McKenzie said that her most memorable experience at Birthright was in the beginning of our volunteer experience. McKenzie reflected on the time she convinced a client to keep her baby as she was considering an abortion. McKenzie said that the client she spoke to that day was at the baby shower so happy and eight months pregnant!For the baby shower, the eight of us set up a fundraising site on campus and raised nearly $ 250. Additionally, we gathered donations from people around Columbia including diapers, baby wipes, and diaper ointment. More than 50 Moms attended the shower. Baby clothes and health care items were handed out and cake and games were enjoyed by all. Needless to say, the baby shower was quite a success! Volunteering at Birthright was an absolute joy! The volunteers were always so welcoming and friendly. Birthright was able to open our eyes to some of the struggles that pregnant women face and allowed us to assist in providing resources to help them. Birthright is an excellent support system for pregnant girls and women. We will never forget our time at Birthright.

USC Nurses at BirthrightCareer and Life Enhancing ExperiencesTaylor St.

Bull St.

Harden St.

Gervais St.

Hampton St.

Pickens St.

Barnwell St.

Gregg St.

Washington St

Laurens St.

Loving, compassionate, completely confidential help. “It is the right of every pregnant woman to give birth, and the right of every child to be born.”

1405 Gregg StreetColumbia, SC 29201803.765.0165www.BirthrightOfColumbia.org

Non-ProfitOrganizationUS Postage

PAIDPermit No. 362

Columbia

YOUR GIFT IS IMPORTANT!$10 helps provide a pregnancy test.$25 helps a birth mother or father obtain their GED.$50 helps advertising with Yellow Pages and other media.$100 helps with rent, utility bills, Birthright’s 24-hour Hotline and other day-to-day expenses.q My employer will match my gift. Matching gift form enclosed.

Enclosed is my gift of $________________ to help Birthright provide positive and loving alternatives to abortion.

NAME

ADDrESS

CItY, StAtE, ZIP

q In honor of q In memory of NAMEPlease notify:

NAME

ADDrESS

CItY, StAtE, ZIP

Donations to Birthright are tax deductible. Please make checks payable to Birthright of Columbia.I would like more information on volunteering at Birthright of Columbia.

EMAIl PHONE

Winter 2015 www.BirthrightOfColumbia.org 1405 Gregg Street

(803) 765-0165 Columbia, SC 29201

By Kelli Brown

After working at Birthright for over thirty-five years, Hank Chardos is used

to receiving phone calls from past clients, thanking him for the kind words and

resources he or other volunteers have provided. But this phone call was different.

After playing phone tag for months, Hank was finally connected with Smifeccia

“Smiley” Tynes, a friendly woman who asked Hank, “Do you remember me?”

Smiley had an abundance of great news for Hank. Not only is she now working at

God’s Storehouse and hoping to provide assistance to Birthright clients, but the

pregnancy that had led her to Birthright so many years ago resulted in a 21 year old

student graduating with a Pre-Med degree from Duke University.

When Smiley walked into the Birthright office at 20 years old, she felt

confident that she was pregnant, and the thought terrified her. Like many Birthright

clients, Smiley was single at the time, and this potential pregnancy plagued her with

many questions: Will my life ever be the same? How will I do this alone? Can

anyone help me? Am I ready to be a mom? Even after twenty-one years, Smiley still remembers Hank’s message. She

said, “I just remember telling Hank about my situation, and he smiled and said, ‘It’s okay. God’s got you.’” She walked out of

the Birthright office that day with an overwhelming feeling of hope, knowing that the life growing inside of her couldn’t be

further from a mistake.

Smiley gave birth to a beautiful baby girl, Brendane Tynes, who excelled in school, was accepted to Duke

University, and is graduating this spring with honors and a double major in Pre-Med and Cultural Anthropology with a minor

in Spanish. But the success stories don’t stop there. Smiley is now the Operations Manager at God’s Storehouse, a

resource that supplies free food, clothing, and household supplies to those in a crisis, helping an average of 25 families

each day. Birthright could not be prouder of these inspiring women’s lives.

Smiley’s case is one that we see every day. Women everywhere, regardless of race, social standing, or relationship

status, feel scared and sometimes alone when they suspect they are carrying an unplanned life. Birthright’s one and only

goal is to provide a friendly face to those who are unsure of their future, and to connect them with resources that will help

them to carry out God’s plan. We congratulate both Smiley and Brendane on their countless successes, and Birthright

thanks you for your continued support of our mission.

Birthright of Columbia 35 Years

1980 - 2015

Photo: Brendane Tynes at Duke

University.