The Moms, Babies, and Kids Ministry began with the start of St. James Parish, in an effort to provide assistance to local organizations that support young, pregnant women and their babies. Over the years, the focus has always remained on helping a variety of charities who strive to protect life and encourage women to make positive choices in their lives.

Who do we help?

Today, we currently support three different organizations:

• Alternatives for Girls (AFG) – As a Detroit-based nonprofit serving homeless and high-risk young women since 1987, AFG has provided critical services including safe shelter, street outreach, and educational support, vocational guidance, mentoring, prevention activities, and counseling.

• Abigayle Ministries – Abigayle Ministries is a Christian interdenominational non-profit organization located in Sterling Heights. The ministry assists adult pregnant women and their children by introducing them to the Gospel of Jesus Christ and equipping them to be self-sufficient through its residential housing program.

• AWPC (A Women’s Pregnancy Choice) – The mission of AWPC is to reach out to men & women in our community who are facing a crisis pregnancy while advocating for the unborn child. Located in Farmington, AWPC offers fetal development & abortion alternatives information, abstinence education, material assistance, Christian guidance, and community referrals for individuals both during pregnancy & up to 14 months after childbirth.

How do we help?

St. James helps each charity through one or more of the following ways:

• Shopping– Monthly shopping occurs to purchase new items such as diapers, baby wipes, formula, toiletries, linens, and other supplies that can be used at the AFG Shelter or Abigayle Residential Program.

• Emergency Requests – If there is an immediate need at any of the charities, St. James does its best to assist that organization in obtaining whatever it is they may need – whether it’s a crib or diapers, new or used.

• Donations – If parishioners have items they would like to donate, we do our best to accept the items and deliver it to the organization in need.

• Holiday Programs and Special Events – Through events such as the Giving Tree at Christmas or the Mercy in Action Day Diaper Bag project, St. James is able to collect items in need.

• Monetary Assistance - call the Christian Service Office if you wish to help with a monetary donation.  248-347-7778

When and where do we help?

Volunteers in this ministry assist by:

• Shopping – Each month, we receive a “wish list” of needed items from one of the rotated organizations. Then a designated “shopper” goes to area stores (Target, Meijer, etc.) and purchases the items. You pay for the items upfront and then submit your receipt to the church office for reimbursement.

• Delivering – Once the shopping is complete, the shopper typically schedules a time to deliver the goods to the organization in Detroit (AFG).

• Online Ordering – As in the “shopping” bullet above, shopping for specific items occurs but it is done online instead of visiting a “brick and mortar” store. Items are shipped directly to the organization in Sterling Heights (Abigayle).

If you have any questions, comments, or suggestions, please contact Christian Service