Unwed mothers finding comfort in Sidney home

Marie Rittwager loves her work -- and the dozens of mothers and children her work has brought her way.

"Because it's a small community, I didn't expect to have so many clients so soon," said Mrs. Rittwager, director of the Birthright home in Sidney. "I'm thrilled that mothers are coming here. We've had 31 babies so far -- and 11 more on the way!"

Birthright was brought to the Delaware County community 18 months ago by a group of committed local people, including the Knights of Columbus and parishioners of Sacred Heart parish. They believed that Birthright would be, in the words of Bob Weitzman, a Knight, "something positive" for the community.

'Love and support'

"Birthright is non-discriminatory, non-judgmental, and exists to give love and support and help with the baby coming to term," Mr. Weitzman said. "We don't turn our backs and say you're a sinner or a bum. We're there to give love and support, and that's it."

Birthright provides free pregnancy testing; confidential help; referrals to legal, medical and educational services; housing and social agency referrals; and clothing and baby items.

Birthright in Sidney serves women in Delaware, Otsego and Chenango counties. Chenango County, which is in the Diocese of Syracuse, has the highest incidence of unwed mothers in the state, according to Mrs. Rittwager.

Pro-life activity

Birthright seemed like the perfect organization for the pro-life Knights, who attend the March for Life in Washington, D.C., every year. Mr. Weitzman, then Grand Knight, and some fellow Knights set up a meeting with the director of Birthright in New York State, who spoke to a meeting of about 30 interested parties.

"It looked like something that the Knights would like to be involved with," he said. "I thought this would be something very hard when we started looking into it, but God wanted us to make this thing happen. I never had anything fall into place so easily.

"We needed a house; we got a house. We needed carpeting; a local store gave us carpeting. It's just amazing the way the community fell behind it."

Knights' connection

Birthright is now self-sufficient, but the Knights are still involved in a number of ways. For example, they help with snow removal during nasty Catskill winters, and do yardwork and repairs during the summertime.

One of the Knights has volunteered as treasurer. During their meetings, the Knights report the names of the babies who were born. They also host dinners, barbecues and other fundraisers with all proceeds going to Birthright.

Said Mr. Weitzman: "It's not a short-term thing. It's a long-term commitment."

Parish involvement

Local churches are also committed to helping Birthright, said Mrs. Rittwager. Among them is Sacred Heart, which hosted a recent baby shower for Birthright. Parishioners filled a bassinet with bottles and outfits for Birthright's gift layette sets to new mothers.

Many of the Birthright volunteers are Sacred Heart parishioners. Another parishioner donated a computer to the organization.

Mrs. Rittwager says Catholic churches -- St. John the Baptist in Walton, Holy Family in Downsville, St. Peter's in Delhi and St. Paul the Apostle in Hancock -- have also pitched in.

Mrs. Rittwager also knows she can count on the Knights.

"If I need them, all I have to do is call them, and they're right there," she said. "I hope this continues -- that people are as generous and understanding as they have been, and that we can continue to reach out and help the people who need us. We just love [the women who come to Birthright]. Through us, they experience God's love."

(Marie and Tom Rittwager, who are members of St. John the Evangelist parish in Bainbridge in the Syracuse Diocese, have a long-term dedication to children in need. They have hosted 25 foster children over the years while raising three daughters and an adopted son of their own.)

(12/9/04)