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By Carey Reeder | Managing Editor

Since CareNet of Chilton County’s inception into the community, Roy Martin has been there every step of the way with the nonprofit. From the first prayers to the current widespread services they offer, Martin has seen CareNet grow and held many different roles along the way. Now, Martin will be retiring from the Chairman position on the board, but will still remain close by.

CareNet of Chilton County is a nonprofit organization that educates, supports and empowers women facing unplanned pregnancies or that just need assistance moving into motherhood. Decades ago, a group of people in Chilton County gathered to pray over the need for such an agency in their community, and one of those people offering their prayers was Martin.

Since then, Martin dedicated a lot of his time and efforts towards helping the nonprofit build from the ground up. He held many roles that ranged from paperwork, building and property maintenance and more. Anything that Martin could do to help, he did.

“I was involved with some fantastic visionary leaders who were really responsible for bringing (CareNet) together,” Martin said. “I have had the blessing to be able to give, help do things in a physical sense as things were needed for the property and just helping in various ways.”

Martin’s dedication and compassion to CareNet did not go unnoticed, and he was asked to serve on their board as their Chairman for a number of years. He has gotten the privilege of seeing the nonprofit go from a brand-new entity in the community to now a well-established nonprofit in all of central Alabama. Martin explained that the work has been rewarding for him to do, and it has been a blessing for him to see God work in the ways he has for CareNet.

“I had joy and it was a blessing to spend time with folks who were really gifted at leading that organization,” Martin said. “I have learned a lot from getting to work with some sharp people that started it and brought it to where it is. Quite a few directors have come and gone, and each one has had some incredible strengths and visions for ways that ministry could grow.”

Martin has tried to dispel some of the misconceptions about CareNet and what their main goals are for the people they serve. Martin said the nonprofit is about loving people, not judging and equipping them with skills and services to benefit them as they move into motherhood. Also, seeing people become more like Christ is another addition that made each day for Martin so rewarding.

“On the surface, you would assume this is all about saving babies and caring for the unborn, and that is something that happens along the way,” Martin said. “But by far the most important part is that people come to understand the love of Jesus Christ. Once that piece of the puzzle is in place, it is amazing how other things fall in place.”

To recognize Martin’s over two decades of service on the board for CareNet, the nonprofit’s staff held a semi-retirement celebration for him on Nov. 25. He said there has never been a doubt about the love that is present within the CareNet staff, and it was evident again with the celebration to honor him.

Martin made it clear to the CareNet staff and the community that although he is retiring from his position on the board, he still wants to serve the nonprofit in some form going forward. He is a phone call away, and he did not rule out serving on the board again one day.

“My role there is simply changing,” Martin said. “I am not walking away. My role and responsibility will change, but I remain committed (to CareNet).”