BENJAMIN S. CARSON, SR., M.D., RECEIVES RAVE REVIEWS AS THIS YEAR’S KEYNOTE SPEAKER
By Madeline Zuckerman
Mama’s House Ministries celebrated its 10th Anniversary in grand style with a packed house of elegantly-attired guests at its Annual HEARTbeat Of Love Luncheon at the Indian Wells Renaissance Resort & Spa. These supportive and generous guests were there for all the right reasons! Mama’s House is the only residential home within the Coachella Valley providing shelter for women facing unplanned pregnancies or are otherwise at-risk women with children and/or victims of abuse, who are vulnerable with no place to go or means of support. With nurturing support, these mothers are being equipped with necessary life skills for stability, recovery, and self-sufficiency. Upon completing the unique, faith-based program at Mama’s House, these mothers are prepared for brighter futures with opportunities to reach their full potential as productive members of their communities.
“It is our pleasure to welcome Dr. Ben Carson, along with each one of you to our Annual Luncheon,” said Jan Lupia, Luncheon Co-chair, Founder & Executive Director of Mama’s House. “We also want to acknowledge our longtime supporters and friends for your faithful support over the last 10 years! We are celebrating our 10th anniversary of the doors being opened at Mama’s House, and we are here today because of all of you who have walked this journey with us. Over the years because of your faithfulness, we have purchased two homes and have broken ground on the new Anne Silverstein Campus for Mama’s House. NONE of this would be possible without YOU. Each and every one of YOU is loved and greatly appreciated.”
With the generous outpouring of support at this year’s luncheon, Mama’s House raised more than $1 million after expenses, with $ 445,000 earmarked for the organization’s Expansion Project for The Anne Silverstein Campus for Mama’s House. Construction is expected to be completed by year’s end on this second residential property, enabling Mama’s House to quadruple the number of moms and infants it will serve. The Anne Silverstein Campus is an intimate, safe, secure, peaceful community of small homes and will include a playground, serenity gardens, patios, walking trails, as well as other amenities, thus creating a lifestyle of Hope Healing and Support.”
The night before the luncheon, Mama’s House hosted an elegant VIP Reception and Dinner at Toscana Country Club, with Dr. Ben Carson in attendance, for over 200 top level donors.
Dr. Benjamin S. Carson, Sr., M.D., is Founder and Chairman of the American Cornerstone Institute. Dr. Carson most recently served as the 17th Secretary of the U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. From 33 years of age, Carson served as Director of Pediatric Neurosurgery at the John Hopkins Children’s Center, becoming the youngest major division director in the hospital’s history, and successfully performed the first separation of conjoined craniopagus twins in 1987. He is the recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian honor, the Spingarn Medal, the highest honor bestowed by the NAACP, and over 70 honorary doctorate degrees. The Carsons co-founded the Carson Scholars Fund, recognizing young people for exceptional academic and humanitarian accomplishments. By 2023, the Carson Scholars Fund has installed more than 250 Ben Carson Reading Rooms around the country.
“It humbles me that this new residential property is named in my honor, as I never imagined this,” stated Anne Thompson-Silverstein. “Never could I have imagined what would happen, how fast it would happen, how many people would come alongside us. As one of two Co-founders and a Board Director, it has been my joy to provide over $ 1.5 million through these 10 years to Mama’s House, with a commitment to provide ongoing support of $ 2 million over the next 10 years. There are many more women in crisis who need a solid foundation to stand on, a new path forward, and hope for a beautiful future. My question is what better investment of resources can there be than the restoration of broken lives?
Luncheon festivities commenced with a silent auction prior to guests entering the ballroom. Program highlights featured Invocation by Pastor Craig Gulbranson, and speakers Dr. Chris Miller, Development Director of Mama’s House and Board Member Floyd Rhoades, who gave an update on the Expansion Campaign Goal for The Anne Silverstein Campus for Mama’s House. A successful Raise The Paddle ensued, prior to Dr. Carson stepping to the podium to receive a standing ovation.
“As I reflect over the past 10 years and have watched the growth of Mama’s House, I am overwhelmed by God’s grace and love that he has showered on us and all the women and babies that have been given new hope and a new path to success,” said Patricia McDonnell, Honorary Co-founder and Chairman of the Board of Mama’s House.
SAVE THE DATE Of Saturday, February 10, 2024 for the Annual Mama’s House HEARTbeat of Love Luncheon.
For more information on Mama’s House and its Expansion Program, please call 844-232-8622 ext.1 or 760-406-3413 or visit www.themamashouse.org or write janlupia@themamashouse.org
