Good Counsel Inc

“The corporation has one class of members. This class shall be individuals and shall number no less than 3 and not more than 30. Members must have demostrated, and continue to demostrate, support and commitment to good counsel's roman catholic prolife values.”

“The members have the power to elect the members of the board of directors.”

“The members by an affirmative majority vote of those present at any regular meeting may: - approve or remove any or all members of the board of directors; - amend the bylaws; - approve the appointment of the chairman of the board of directors; - approve the appointment of the president and/or ceo of good counsel, inc. Members must approve any transaction which could be the equivalent of 50% of assets of good counsel, inc. The members by majority of the vote shall be solely authorized to dissolve 50% and/or all of the corporate assets and/or dissolve the corporation.”

“The finance committee of the board of directors of good counsel along with the president, chief executive officer, and controller first review the entire form 990, including the management questions. It is then discussed and returned to our outside auditors for futher clarification and completion. A final draft is prepared, reviewed again by the above good counsel board and staff and sent electronically to the finance committee of good counsel board of directors for further review and approval. The document is then sent to the entire board of directors. The board reviews and approves the final version of form 990 prior to filing with the irs.”

“Good counsel's conflict of interest policy is included in their personnel manual and brought to the attention of all staff, mentioned repeatedly to managers and discussed when outside contracts or outsourced work is done. The policy includes guidelines to assist board members and employees in avoiding conficts of interest. In the event of a conflict of interest, the interested party must disclose to the board the financial relationship that he/she has, with respect to the issue. There shall be no contract or other transaction between good counsel inc and a board member in which there exists a conflict of interest. The board will vote on such matter without counting the vote(s)of the interested board member(s).”

“The organization makes its form 990 available for public inspection as required under section 6104 of the internal revenue code. The financial statments and 990 are available every year on the organization's website, as well as on the charity navigator and guidestar websites. Governing documents and the conflict of interest policy are only available upon request at 600 meadowlands parkway, suite 251, secaucus, nj 07094.”

“Good counsel, inc. Is a not-for-profit organization rooted in the first principles of catholic morality concerning the dignity of every human person. Good counsel recognizes the dignity of god-given life from the moment of conception, fostering a nurturing, safe family environment, encouraging self-respect and independence for pregnant mothers and their children in a diverse community of all faiths and beliefs.”

“In 2024 gc was blessed to have volunteers join us to work on projects for the homes. Be it decorating "welcome bags" for our moms & babies or gardening in our yards. Volunteers do spirituality classes, assist with food prep and so much more. We have always had many volunteers giving much time and "sweat equity". Totaling these hours does not tell the whole story of dedication and concern each person shares as being part of the good counsel family. Volunteers also assisted the fund development team with our major events in 2024.”

“Outreach: intake staff received 3,402 calls in 2024 (a 22% increase over last year) through its 24/7 hotline. Good counsel's 24/7 hotline is a vital lifeline for women in crisis. It provides immediate, compassionate support to mothers who may be homeless, frightened, or unsure of where to turn. Many of the women who call have nowhere else to go and are facing life-altering decisions alone. The hotline ensures that no call for help goes unanswered - day or night. This constant availability allows good counsel to offer not just emotional support, but also practical solutions, including a safe place to stay, access to medical care, and guidance toward a life-affirming future for both mother and child. For many women, the first step toward hope and healing begins with a phone call. Last year, we received a call from a young woman who wasn't homeless-yet- but was on the brink. A difficult pregnancy had caused her to lose her job, and although she had recently secured a position as a teacher's assistant, she was already a month behind on her rent and facing eviction. Sabrina, our intake coordinator, immediately contacted the management company to verify her situation. Thanks to the generosity of our supporters, good counsel was able to pay both the overdue rent and the current month, allowing her to stay in her home. She was overwhelmed with relief-and able to start her new job without the fear of losing her housing. We also received 1011 emails requesting assistance, a 53% increase when compared to 2023. Our crisis pregnancy website received over 47,900 visits, marking an impressive uptick of nearly 40% compared to the previous year. This comprehensive website provides resources throughout the country.”

“Housing: in 2024, good counsel provided housing for 127 mothers and welcomed 38 newborns, bringing the total number of children cared for to 80. Securing stable housing during pregnancy is critically important for both the mother and her unborn child. Without a safe and secure place to live, a pregnant woman faces increased risks-physically, emotionally, and medically. Stress from housing instability can lead to complications like premature birth, low birth weight, and poor maternal health. A stable home provides the foundation for proper nutrition, rest, prenatal care, and emotional well-being-all essential for a healthy pregnancy. It also gives an expectant mother peace of mind and the dignity of knowing she and her baby are safe. When housing is secure, she can focus on preparing for motherhood rather than surviving day to day. At good counsel, we understand that meeting this basic need can be life- changing. That's why we act quickly when a woman reaches out for help- because a stable home is the first step toward a healthy life for two. A perfect example of this come from veronica. When veronica learned she was pregnant, she was living with her sister - who soon discovered she was also expecting. Incredibly, both were pregnant with twins. With limited space, the sister asked veronica to move out. Relying on her income from her job, veronica managed to pay for a hotel while trying to save enough for a permanent home. But carrying twins and nearing her due date, she had to begin maternity leave, which led to a drastic reduction in income. The hotel quickly became unaffordable. Every shelter she contacted was full. Hope began to fade-until someone brought her to good counsel. Just days after arriving at good counsel, veronica gave birth to her twin boys - marc and marcus. Her case manager was by her side in the delivery room, and having someone there to hold her hand brought immense comfort and relief. Veronica is incredibly grateful for the loving, supportive home she found at good counsel. With access to childcare, she's now pursuing her education and plans to enter the medical field. Alongside the other moms, she shares in daily responsibilities like cooking and chores-building both life skills and a sense of community. She often says good counsel has transformed her life and restored her hope for the future. Some mothers stay at good counsel throughout their pregnancy, while others arrive after giving birth-it all depends on their individual circumstances. Many pregnant women come to us in an emergency and may later reunite with family or secure an apartment before delivery. Others call from the hospital shortly after giving birth. Hospitals will not discharge a mother and baby without a safe place to go. Still, some new mothers return to their apartment alone with a newborn, in urgent need of not only housing but also the support and guidance every new mom deserves-especially those who have no one to be with them day or night.”

“Advocacy: advocacy is essential for good counsel moms because many of them come to us overwhelmed, isolated, and unfamiliar with how to navigate complex systems-from housing and healthcare to employment and legal services. They are often facing crisis situations without the knowledge, support, or confidence to speak up for themselves. That's where advocacy makes a life-changing difference. At good counsel, we do not just provide a loving home - we stand beside each mother, helping her understand her rights, access critical resources, and find her voice. Whether it's securing medical care, applying for benefits, or defending her right to keep her child, advocacy ensures that she is not alone in the fight for stability, dignity, and a better future. Through compassionate guidance and hands-on support, we help our moms build the strength and self-confidence they need to stand tall-not just for themselves, but for their children. When jessica (name changed for privacy) walked through the doors of our spring valley home, she carried with her the hopes of becoming the best mother she could be - and the heavy burden of untreated mental illness. Her journey was not easy. But with compassion, patience, and unwavering support, jessica found the strength to rebuild her life. Jessica's mental health diagnosis required monthly injections to help stabilize her symptoms. At first, it was a struggle - the facility where she received care couldn't administer her medication, and the risk of relapse loomed large. But she didn't have to face it alone. Our team stepped in: picking up her medication, driving her to the hospital for the injection, and eventually arranging for a nurse to administer her treatment in our home. We walked with her through every setback and breakthrough. At good counsel, mental health care is not optional - it's essential. Many of the mothers who come to us are fleeing abusive relationships, homelessness, or other traumas. Studies show that nearly 80% of women who undergo physical abuse also suffer from significant mental health challenges, including ptsd, depression, and anxiety. In fact, women who have experienced intimate partner violence are more than twice as likely to develop a mental illness.”

“All other accomplishments: 1.teaching our good counsel moms how to drive is a vital step toward their independence and long-term stability. Many of the women we serve come to us with little to no support network and limited access to reliable transportation. Without the ability to drive, even basic tasks-like getting to work, taking a child to daycare, going to medical appointments, or attending school-become major obstacles. By learning to drive, our moms gain the freedom to manage their lives more confidently and securely. Driving empowers them to take control of their schedules, pursue job opportunities, and care for their children without relying on others. It's not just about transportation-it's about breaking the cycle of dependence and building the foundation for a self-sufficient, hopeful future. 2.2.overall, more than 100,000 individuals per year learn about good counsel's services through mailings, emails, social media posts, and events. This advocacy effort allows others to spread the word offering hope. Sometimes, just knowing there is a "home" if someone is abandoned, by the father of her child or others in her family, is enough hope to go on and continue working through her pregnancy. Should she need housing, she knows she can find it.”

“Depreciation book/tax difference -115 increase in cash surrender value -cb life 21,305 total 21,190”