photo #3178546

So my friend, Annette Rein, who founded the 1st Way Life Center https://www.facebook.com/1stwaylifecentermonticellony?mibextid=LQQJ4din Monticello NY, made The Sullivan County Democrat’s “Honoring Professiknal Women In Business” Section this week! Annette, her small staff and the centers volunteers have expanded the services offered by the center so that today they not only serve women in crisis, but families in crisis as well. These folks give so much to the Sullivan County community at large. I have witnessed them giving so much of themselves, even taking into their own homes girls who have been thrown out of their homes because they became pregnant and did not want to kill their unborn baby. I remember one time about 10 years ago, a mother and her 5 children walked through the front door in the dead of winter escaping from an abusive domestic situation. The kids sneakers were threadbare. There was no hesitation. Immediately they were cared for and their needs addressed, even taking a shopping trip to get them appropriate and warm footgear. Countless stories of selflessness and always without judgment, just love and compassion. That included many women who would cross the street from the place which used to be on the other side of Prince St, after they did what they thought they wanted to do, and enter the center distraught and seeking consolation. They always received love and compassion. Never judgment. These folks are as close to living saints as one can get as far as I’m concerned and Annette surely deserves this recognition for her tireless work to build a Culture of Life.