Walking with Purpose

Since April 2019, Michele Niklaus has volunteered with Mommies Matter, a nonprofit organization supporting pregnant mothers in the Columbus, Ohio area. In addition to raising awareness of Mommies Matter at her local parish, Michele Niklaus has also acted as the operational coordinator for Walking with Purpose (WWP). WWP is a Catholic women’s Bible study group that aims to deepen members' spirituality.

WWP is a Bible study program that takes place in formal parish settings or small groups. Anyone, regardless of prior experience with Catholicism or the Bible, can lead or join a WWP group. WWP offers weekly Bible study groups focused on various topics, including how to cultivate lasting relationships, or specific parts of the Bible, like the Gospel of John. Women interested in joining can use WWP’s Parish Lookup tool to find a group or monthly information meeting near them. WWP offers Bible study groups for middle schoolers, young adult, and older adult women.

The History of My Very Own Blanket

Michele Niklaus is a resident of Columbus, Ohio, who spent her professional life in pharmaceutical sales. Since leaving the industry, Michele Niklaus enjoys volunteering for the Columbus Catholic Women’s Conference and supporting other nonprofits, including My Very Own Blanket.

The nonprofit My Very Own Blanket (MVOB) strives to provide every child in the foster system with a blanket, in the hopes of equipping them with comfort and security. The nonprofit started in 2000 as one woman, Jessica Rudolph, knitted one blanket for a child in the foster care system in Ohio. She then began asking family and friends to make blankets, with a goal of gathering 12 blankets. She surpassed her goal and collected 87, which were given to children in Delaware and Seneca counties. Two years later, she delivered blankets to 30 counties. By 2018, the organization was able to collect 15,016 blankets. MVOB now works to deliver blankets to every state.

MVOB relies on the support of blanket angels and work with individuals, groups, and businesses to gather blankets and provide guidance on how to make blankets of all kinds and materials. To find out how to get involved or supply a blanket, visit www.myveryownblanket.org.

Bible Study with WWP

A resident of Galena, Ohio, with an extensive volunteer background, Michele Niklaus organizes baby showers for pregnant women in her volunteer role with Mommies Matter. Michele Niklaus previously served as operational coordinator for Walking with Purpose (WWP) Catholic Women's Bible Study, an 18-week program that attracted more than 300 participants each year.

Walking with Purpose aims to meet each woman where she is, whether she has been studying the Bible for years or has never read a page. Opening Your Heart is the organization’s 22-week foundational course, perfect for women who are seeking meaning, purpose, and connection through the Bible.

Opening Your Heart focuses on key topics such as cultivating a friendship with Jesus Christ, learning how to pray, and understanding the role of suffering in life. Exploring some of the fundamental questions of the Catholic faith, the course helps women identify key priorities and unlock their purpose and passion. Along with Bible study content, Opening Your Heart includes a series of Connect Coffee Talks that provide the opportunity for continued discussion.