2005

Jefferson
Awards

The
Central Texas Board of Selectors has chosen Christie Aaronson to receive
a 2005 Jefferson Award Medallion. 

The
Catholic Spirit, the official publication of the diocese of
Austin wrote, “You can’t ignore a call from God. 
Christie Aaronson learned when you answer that call, God
provides.” 

Christie’s
dream of helping young women and teenagers who are in a crisis pregnancy
began while volunteering to answer a crisis hotline. 
Her goal was to find a place these young women and teenagers
could go that would support them in their decision to parent or
adopt-out their babies. 
Christie needed $85,000 to start the home. 
It all came together when her husband’s construction company
collected $85,012 in old debts. 
Christie and her husband Mike considered this a sign from God. 
They made the down payment on the land and opened the
Annunciation Maternity Home. 
It has been in operation 3 ½ years and is one of 13 licensed
maternity homes in Texas. 
The new mothers, up to 15 young women stay at a time, may remain
up to two years after their baby is born.

The
home has a high school that is chartered through the University of Texas
where the residents may earn a high school diploma. 

Everything
at the Annunciation Maternity Home, shelter, food, healthcare,
childcare, and school are absolutely free to the young mothers. 
51 young women have been served by the home since it opened.

Several
letters from former residents tell the story best: “Christie Aaronson
is amazing. She’s given my son and I a second chance to life.”  
“She’s been there for me when I need her the most, when my
family pushed me away.” 
Another wrote, “When I was seven months pregnant, the father of
my child left me saying this was not his child. 
My parents did not want me because I was going to be a single
mom.  I
will never forget Christie Aaronson. 
She is an angel sent from God.” 
Another teenage resident writes, “Everyone deserves a second
chance, Christie has given me mine. 
I love her with all my heart.” 
Another writes, “ Christie is a good Christian role model, she
helped me get back in touch with God.”

The
nominating letter says, “Although she founded the home, she comes to
work every day unpaid. 
She sometimes pays the bills of the home when there is no money
left in the account. 
She does not seek recognition but she deserves to be acknowledged
for her unselfish work. 

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