Old Dominion News

The Paul Stefan Foundation is a pregnancy care center and home for women that started as a resource for struggling mothers and has grown to help over 100 women.

Danielle Nicholson, one of the mothers who discovered the foundation early in her pregnancy, said the Paul Stefan Foundation drastically changed her outlook on motherhood and life and eventually led to a successful career and a healthy daughter.

In an opinion piece for FOX News, Nicholson recounted her story of discovering a positive pregnancy test at the age of 20, ten years ago. She noted that at the time she “had gone down a very dark path,” having to deal with assault and abuse from a young age, which caused alcohol and drugs to enter into her life. After she found out she was pregnant, she was “jolted back to reality” as she decided to do everything she could for her baby. She said her pregnancy test motivated her to adopt a sober lifestyle, to be strong and to work toward a future for her child that was nothing like what she had experienced. 

“The next few years of learning how to take care of myself and my growing baby were the hardest of my entire life, but they transformed me and my future in an incredible way,” Nicholson said.

She moved into a Paul Stefan Foundation home where she met founders Randy and Evelyn James.

“Randy and Evelyn met my disrespect and bitterness with so much grace, giving me time to heal and grow into a compassionate woman through their steadfast patience and love,” Nicholson said. She noted that Evelyn taught her how to “adhere to a schedule, how to be a good steward of my money, that my appearance matters, and that my daughter should always be my first priority.” She continued, saying “Randy’s tough love helped me learn independent living skills such as how to change a flat tire on my car, to live a healthy lifestyle, to act like a professional, and motivated me to put my emotions aside so that I could accomplish my goals.” 

Nicholson lived at the home for five years, where she earned her bachelor’s degree. She is currently a foster care social worker in the Virginia Department of Social Services, a position where she has been promoted five times since 2017. She credits her success to Randy and Evelyn and the Paul Stefan Foundation, and she ended her piece wishing that more women who resort to abortion might know how her baby, Lei’Lani, helped her reach so many of her goals.

Based in Orange, Va., the Paul Stefan Foundation began as a source of support for pregnant women and mothers, the organization's website said. The group looks for “real world solutions” to aid mothers with their own health and personal setbacks as well as the health of their babies.

“We’re an organization driven by a desire to uphold the Christian values that build a strong foundation to protect those who need us most,” the website said.

Randy and Evelyn James started the Paul Stefan Foundation after their son Paul was diagnosed with diaphragmatic hernia, which led to Paul not being able to have normal lungs, the website said. After a difficult pregnancy journey, Paul was born alive but died after 41 minutes of life. Randy and Evelyn felt a calling to start a foundation—dedicated to their son Paul—as a resource for mothers. Fr. Stefan Starzynksi was with the family throughout the hardship and is also part of the name of the foundation.

“Fr. Stefan Starzynski’s devotion and faith have influenced how we live our lives today,” the Jameses said. “After six years since opening our doors to the Paul Stefan Homes, over 150 women and babies have been given the opportunity to improve their lives.”

In an interview with FOX and Friends, Randy James said that after hearing their son Paul would most likely not survive, they were offered the opportunity to have a late-term abortion but did not consider the option.

“The death of our baby was the start of a foundation,” Randy said. The Foundation hopes to spread across the country to help mothers in need.

Nicholson noted in the interview that the Paul Stefan Foundation “has changed my life in the most amazing ways.” She said because of the Paul Stefan Foundation that took her in and helped her throughout her pregnancy, her daughter is healthy and she is successful.

Another new mom, Brooke Cumings, who recently had twin boys, also spoke highly of the Foundation.

“They wrapped their arms around me when I first walked through the doors,” Cumings, who is pursuing a bachelor’s degree with the help of the Foundation, said in the interview. “They have empowered me to want to reach for new goals… they have helped me provide everything for my children.”