From downtown Washington, to a house on the west side of town, to space in a church on the south side, the Pregnancy Care Center has changed locations three times in its 10 years of existence, but not its mission.
The center offers guidance and help to pregnant women and also helps them after the baby arrives and with any decisions they may make.
The center was started 10 years ago by Daviess-Martin County Right to Life as an alternative for those considering abortion. Center Director Micki McCullough said the center doesn’t just counsel women during the pregnancy but sees them through the early years of parenthood with parenting classes, assistance with baby clothing and residential care assistance.
The center offers free maternity and baby clothes up to size 2 toddler. New mothers can also “purchase” new or gently used items and diapers with “mommy money,” which is earned by attending educational classes from the first trimester through birth and parenting classes after the baby is born.
While the house on W. Walnut Street was “homey,” according to McCullough, the space at Grace Baptist Church, 705 Troy Road, is “heaven-sent.”
“I loved the house, it was so homey there,” she said. “And then this came up and it’s been such a difference.”
The new center has a large intake room, a large classroom, kitchen, office and room for the cribs, car seats and other items that can help make life a little easier for a new mother.
Right To Life has also benefited as they had a corner desk at the old house and know has its own private entrance and a private office.
In 2007, 950 people visited the center, according to the daily log. In 2008 more than 1,500 were served, McCullough said.
Those who don’t feel they can keep their baby or feel the baby would be better off in a different home are given advice about adoption services.
“We let them know we’re here,” McCullough said. “We help them all we can.”
Those who have decided to opt for abortion are offered a free ultrasound by local obstetricians. For those who still choose abortion, the center offers counseling for both women and men suffering from post-abortion syndrome.
They also offer free pregnancy testing, free counseling, information on pregnancy options and health and assistance referrals.
The center started in a downtown store front and then moved to a house on W. Walnut Street. This year the opportunity came to expand when Grace Baptist’s day care closed.
“Our president, Jennifer Davis, had a vision for our new center, which was presented to Pastor Louis Showers,” McCullough said. “He and the congregation of Grace Baptist voted unanimously to rent the former day care to the Pregnancy Care Center and Right To Life.
“Right To Life now has its own private office and entrance, which is truly a wonderful and miraculous blessing from the hand of God.”
A non-profit can’t pay a set rent to another non-profit, McCullough said, so a donation is given to the church. The savings has allowed the center to hire two part-time assistants.
While an open house is planned for Saturday to celebrate its 10 years of existence, a dinner in December proved a big surprise for two people considered the “birth mother and father” of the Pregnancy Care Center. Donna and Garland Gentry were honored for their 10 years of love and tireless service to the Pregnancy Care Center.
The honor was a complete surprise for Donna who thought that Garland was going to be recognized for his contributions. Garland was in the dark about the whole thing. Each was presented with a plaque recognizing their hard work and dedication.
An open house is set from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at Grace Baptist Church, in celebration of the 10th anniversary and the new location. The public is welcome.
The Pregnancy Care Center is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday and is open to Spanish-speaking clients from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday when an interpreter offers her services.
Local News
Related Photos
-
Garland and Donna Gentry look over a hand-made baby blanket that was given as a gift to the Pregnancy Care Center. The Gentrys were recently recognized for their service to the Center, which is celebrating its10-year anniversary. It is now housed at Grace Baptist Church, 705 Troy Road. Young women coming to the Center for counseling during their pregnancy also get help for the early years of parenthood----Photo By Kelly Overton.
Discussion
Pregnancy Care Center celebrating 10 years, new site
- Local News
-
-
Seidel crowned WC's homecoming queen
Madison Seidel, daughter of Jane and Richard Seidel of Washington, was crowned 2012 Washington Catholic Homecoming Queen at the Birdcage on Saturday.
-
Car becomes stuck on railroad tracks; driver cited
Kevin Michael Williams, 5303 S. Alexander Rd., was cited for disregarding a stop sign after a 1995 Chevrolet Cavalier he was driving became stuck on CSX railroad tracks in Washington near the Daviess County Chamber of Commerce. Tri-County Towing removed the vehicle at 5:41 p.m. after CSX officials had been contacted.
-
Schnitzelbank has No. 1 sandwich in Indiana
Indianapolis had a great time hosting the Super Bowl and although most of the attention appeared to be focused on all things Brady, Manning and Manning (sounds like a law firm), however, we know the star that shined the brightest was the Indiana Super 46 sandwich contest.
-
Messmer in Washington to discuss current legislation
District 63 State Rep. Mark Messmer (R-Jasper) held a town hall meeting Monday at Washington City Council Chambers to discuss current legislation passed by the Indiana House of Representatives, to answer questions from constituents and to hear their concerns.
One bill of local interest that has passed through the House is HB 1149, the smoking ban. It would prohibit smoking in public places, enclosed places of employment and within 12 feet of a public entrance to those places. It also would prohibit smoking in certain state vehicles if signed into law. -
Messmer hears concerns
District 63 State Rep. Mark Messmer (R-Jasper) held a town hall meeting Monday at Washington City Council Chambers to discuss current legislation passed by the Indiana House of Representatives, to answer questions from constituents and to hear their concerns.
-
Car finds railroad tracks
Kevin Michael Williams, 5303 S. Alexander Rd., was cited for disregarding a stop sign after a 1995 Chevrolet Cavalier he was driving became stuck on CSX railroad tracks in Washington near the Daviess County Chamber of Commerce. Tri-County Towing removed the vehicle at 5:41 p.m. after CSX officials had been contacted.
-
Pierce named B-R Homecoming Queen
Rebekah Pierce, daughter of Russell and Beth Pierce of Washington, was crowned 2012 Homecoming Queen at Barr-Reeve High School on Friday.
-
ND crowns Steffey, McAtee
Anthony Steffey, son of Jim and Bridgette Steffey, and Shelby McAtee, daughter of Ron and Lynn Cox, were crowned Homecoming King and Queen at North Daviess High School on Friday.
-
Car causes garage fire on Edwardsport Road
A car caught fire at the home belonging to Robert Wichman at 5295N 100W.
-
Washington native on short list for Indiana Supreme Court
Washington native the Honorable Maria D. Granger is one of 15 under consideration to fill a vacancy on the Indiana Supreme Court.
- More Local News Headlines
-
Former Komen Exec Defends Funding Cut
Skip the Coffee Cup and Inhale Your Caffeine Fix
Calif. Gay Marriage Ban Ruled Unconstitutional
Jury Selection for Ex-UVa Athlete Enters 2nd Day
Raw Video: Giants Celebrate Another Super Bowl
Cab Driver Helps Wis. Family Escape House Fire
Greek Leaders Seek Deal As Bankruptcy Looms
Bernanke: Recovery Depends on Consumer Spending
Staff Removed at LA School During Abuse Probe
Eastwood in Super Bowl Ad 'Compassionate'
Stranded Fishermen Rescued From Bay of Green Bay
Analyst: Outside Troops Won't Intervene in Syria
Police: Father Planned Deadly Fire for Some Time
US, UK Pressure on Syria; More Homs Violence
Raw Video: Mass Killer Wants Medal, Freedom
Court Strips Contador of Tour De France Title
Runaway Goat Leads Police on Wild Chase
And the Winner for Best Super Bowl Ad Is...
Romney Latest Poll to Join Let-me-explain Club
