OH BABY!

Birthright of Schenectady celebrates 50th anniversary

Birthright Center volunteers Ruth Bullett (from l.), Cindy Vitale, Lynee Daly and Michele Fernandez and Simone McGuinness, director of the center in Schenectady, stand in front of the baby clothes display at their Jay Street location. Birthright is a non-denominational, volunteer, pregnancy care center that helps clients navigate their pregnancies. (Emily Benson photos)

Inside the Birthright Center in Schenectady, a line of colorful baby clothes greets you at the door.

Some items are soft pink, others a baby blue with spots, and one dazzling blue and yellow onesie dress from Snow White makes it hard not to awe over the sweet display. The best part: everything is free and available to moms in need.

Birthright of Schenectady is a non-denominational, apolitical, all-volunteer, pregnancy care center that works to build relationships with clients and help them navigate their pregnancies.  An international organization that started in Canada in 1968, Birthright came to Schenectady in 1973. Ever since, the group has been a pillar in the community, working with Catholic, Christian or non-religious groups, to ensure pregnant women and young moms have support.

A colorful clothing display greets clients when they walk into Birthright of Schenectady. (Emily Benson photos)

The group will celebrate their 50th anniversary this November, half a century as an all-volunteer organization. Simone McGuinness, director of Birthright of Schenectady, couldn’t be more proud of the milestone.

“I just keep going back to that: 50 years to be an all-volunteer organization,” she told The Evangelist, “and to have evolved and changed to still be relevant, but still maintain the mission.”

McGuinness, who became director in March 2021, has been volunteering with Birthright since August 2018.

“I have always been interested in what Birthright does,” she said. “I heard an interview on 40 Days for Life with a woman from Feminists for Life, which prompted me to become more active in supporting women on their pregnancy journey. I am a ‘doing’ kind of person, so being in the office, meeting and talking to clients appeals to me.”

Birthright offers a range of support to their clients, such as information on prenatal care, parenting skills or community programs; referrals for medical, financial or housing support; and resources like diapers, baby clothes and baby items. This year, Birthright has served close to 300 clients.

Each client receives a “take home from the hospital bag” close to their due date, filled with diapers, wipes, newborn outfits, etc., followed by a layette bundle and diapers when the baby is born. If clients, or family of the client, need additional support, they may visit the office once a month for other items. Everything available in the office is donated and ranges from newborn items up to 1-year-old.

A layette basket filled with goodies, and volunteers Cindy Vitale (left) and Ruth Bullett pack a layette basket up.

All the baskets, and their many items, are thanks to the dozens of Birthright volunteers and donors who have kept the organization running for 50 years. 

“It’s amazing the things people donate,” said Michele Fernandez, Birthright volunteer. “Quilts they made or crocheted blankets.” One volunteer makes dozens of quilts for Birthright on a regular basis. “We call her up and she says, ‘How many quilts do you need?’ ” she added. 

“Part of the history of Birthright of Schenectady is that once people get involved, they commit to helping and find ways to stay involved on some level,” said McGuinness. “One of the former directors, Joan Holzhauer, used to have her family help prepare the layettes on the dining room table. We have a former volunteer who has since moved to South Carolina who knits and sends us baby booties. The friendships and desire to help are lasting and people want to stay involved.”

In June, Fernandez and McGuinness attended the International Birthright Convention in Chicago, Ill. Fernandez recalled when someone at the convention posed the question if Birthright would be missed if it wasn’t there.

“I think we would,” McGuinness said. “I think if we weren’t here, we would be missed.”

Birthright of Schenectady is holding a 50th-anniversary luncheon on Saturday, Nov. 4, at the Riverstone Manor in Glenville from 10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. The day includes food, guest speakers, historical records, pop-up shops, raffle baskets and more. Tickets are $50 per person, $40 for seniors and $25 for students. For more information or to register for the luncheon, call (518) 370-1532 or email: [email protected].