Press Release
On Saturday April 18th, Emmanuel House International, Inc. (EHI) Executive Director Rita McSweeney O’Brien was honored by the Westchester-Putman Center for Life at their 15th Annual Breakfast. She received the Center’s Joseph Frankenberry Award for “her faithfulness and tireless efforts in support of women and the defense of the sacredness of all human life”. She additionally received Proclamations from:
* Westchester County Executive Robert Astorino – Recognition of her ”personal triumphs, extraordinary spirit, and determination which are an inspiration to others” and of her “use of her education (Fordham & Columbia Universities)” and “her knowledge and experience from senior management positions with several notable companies” to “establish Emmanuel House International, which provides material assistance as well as pre-natal and after-birth assistance confidentially and without judgment to those women and families faces with an unplanned pregnancy”;
* Senator Terrence Murphy (40th Senate District) – New York State Senate Citation: Recognition of “founding Emmanuel House International to help families facing unexpected pregnancies” and “contributing immensely to her community as a true champion of life at all stages” (having additionally dedicated her time to Hospice care”);
* Putnam County Executive MaryEllen Odell – Recognition of “her tireless support for families in crisis due to unplanned pregnancies”, “providing at no charge, confidential and non-judgmental pre-natal after-birth support and material assistance to individuals and families who could not otherwise afford these services”, and her willingness to “champion for those who may not have a voice” by passionately “sharing all of her resources, knowledge and experience of social service, spiritual support, business development and whole-person growth, to help those in need”;
* Westchester County Board of Legislators: Michael Kaplowitz (Chairman) & Michael Smith (Legislator District 3) – Recognition of “founding Emmanuel House International as a not-for-profit corporation within the State of New York on August 15, 2013, to give Moms and Moms-to-Be the tools and assistance they need to care for their Babies and Families”, having been a hospice volunteer “offering in-home end-of-life support to patients and respite to their families”, and many years of service to her parishes providing leadership in their religious education, sacramental preparation, parish council, women’s prayer group, Charismatic prayer group and evangelization core team, as well as within a variety of other ministries (Eucharistic Minister, Lector, Youth Group, Family Mass) – further proclaimed “April 18, 2015 to be ‘Rita McSweeney O’Brien Day’ in Westchester County”;
Each additionally recognized Rita for her previous volunteering at and directing of the Birthright Carmel Office (2006-2013), “lovingly providing client assistance to those in need, volunteer training, and operational leadership”.
In order to help our Moms and Moms-to-Be and their Babies and Families, Emmanuel House International relies on the indispensable donations of your “Time, Treasure and Talents” as volunteers, material donations, and financial support. If you would like more information about how YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE as well as about the services and assistance provided by EHI please visit us at EmmanuelHouseInternational.org.
