Wednesday, December 10, 2003
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Wednesday, December 10, 2003 |
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Pregnancy Center helps start new lives By ELLIE WHITE-STEVENS Shuffling babies from lap to lap, and handing them to volunteers happy to hold infants, local women gathered to celebrate Christmas with their children last Saturday afternoon. They sang carols. They drank cider, had a feast of food. And they opened presents. It was a Christmas party for the women and babies assisted by the Pregnancy Resource Center of Fayette this year. Among them was 17-year-old Leah Dolan of Fayetteville. Holding a plump 2-month-old Connery Ross Dolan, Leah explained that she would starting college in January at Georgia State University in Atlanta. The Pregnancy Resource Center gave Dolan the test to confirm her pregnancy, then provided services and education. “I watched a bunch of parenting and baby development videos,” Dolan said. “They gave me a lot of baby clothes and some maternity clothes.” At the party, Dolan and the other moms received gifts for themselves, their babies and any other children they may have. Twelve local churches customized gifts for the women, providing age-appropriate gifts, bagged so that moms can choose when their children receive them. Each new child finds a splash of homespun beauty in the handmade quilts from Grace Evangelical Church. “This is our ministry to the center,” said Debbie Behlke, eager to recruit new quilters. “It’s a ministry of love.” It’s also a ministry of partnership. The Quilting Bee in Fayetteville donates upwards of 80 percent of the fabric for the quilts; the church budget provides for batting, thread and other supplies. Everything about this party bespeaks the generosity of local churches, individuals and the business community. The four-table spread of food was donated by local Papa John’s, Atlanta Bread Company, Publix, Kroger, Chick-Fil-A Dwarf House, Blimpie, Subway and Little Debbie. Covenant Presbyterian offers their fellowship house for the occasion. According to Executive Director Becky Smith, community support is not only the backbone, but also the arms, legs and heart of The Pregnancy Resource Center. “We rely 100 percent on donations from individuals and churches,” Smith said. “We receive no government funds. People give who believe in what we do.” What does the Pregnancy Resource Center do? Parenting classes, counseling and abstinence training are a few of the things Smith mentions. About half of the women who come in for tests are not pregnant. “It gives us the opportunity to do lifestyle counseling,” Smith said. “We have a heavy emphasis on STDs [sexually transmitted diseases]. STDs are more likely than pregnancy, and 80 percent of the time they are asymptomatic.” Several of the mothers at the party will cite the things they received first: Clothing, car seats, diapers. Amanda Bowden of Fayetteville, with her 4-month-old daughter China, was on bed rest, and appreciated the encouragement she received through the center, as well as the material support. “I had no baby shower, but they gave me baskets of stuff,” Bowden said. “Later, the women in the center provided emotional support,” Bowden said. “My dad just passed away. When I called to confirm the time for this party, they talked to me and prayed for me. “A large part of our clientele are economically challenged,” Smith noted. “They have several children and may be without a supporting father for that child.” Economics are a hard-faced reality for these moms. The Pregnancy Resource Center eases those burdens, not only through the baby clothes and supplies, but also by encouraging young women to stay in school, even if expecting. Seeing a real need for preventative education, they have launched a new program for at-risk teens. “Breaking the Chains takes referrals from the juvenile justice system and is targeted to help teens gain the need to succeed through the love of Christ,” said Smith. In January, the resource center will also launch Preparing to Parent classes for teenagers having their first babies. “Because of the programs we have added this year, we are facing a financial shortage,” said Smith. She welcomes donations, which are tax-deductible. For Becky Smith, her small paid staff, and the some two dozen volunteers, the Christmas party is about the women. It’s to honor the moms for choosing life for their babies. To inquire about The Pregnancy Resource Center’s services or to make a donation, call 770-719-2288. Checks may be sent to 116 Bethea Rd., Suite 306, Fayetteville, Ga., 30214.
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