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Young moms-to-be have support
By ANGELA MILLER-HOOD NEW PORT RICHEY -- It can be the longest five minutes of a woman's life. Sitting there, waiting to see if a little stick shows whether your world will forever be changed. For some, it's welcome news. For others, it's tragic. That's why there is a place like the West Pasco Pregnancy Center. The center offers emotional support and educational guidance for women facing crisis pregnancies. "Each client is a gift from God you embrace with love," said center director Marion Bauer. The pregnancy center is a nonprofit Christian-based organization that is run solely on donations and proceeds of fundraisers. Donations have declined while clients continue to pour in, Bauer said. A fundraiser was held last Saturday at Sims Park as one of the annual events. About 80 walkers with sponsorships helped raise money for the cause. Proceeds are split between SOLVE, another nonprofit agency, and the pregnancy center. This year about $2,700 was raised, compared with $3,300 last year. Sarah Mauldin, 12, walked with her friends last Saturday. She raised $230. Sarah is home schooled by her mother, who has taught her in depth about planned parenthood. "It made me feel good (to participate)," Sarah said. "It is really important that the center stays open so that pregnant teens and others can go there." Andy Yarnell and his fiancee, Jen McDowell, walked and raised $45. "It's great to give women a chance to not have an abortion and give them the help they will need," Yarnell said. If a girl or woman chooses to end her pregnancy, volunteers are instructed not to be judgmental. "God gives us all a free will," Bauer said, but they want women to fully understand the decision. The center has two volunteers who help after an abortion. Another way the center tried to spread the word was with its first Rock-4-Life concert. Local Christian bands performed April 12 in Sims Park. Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Shelton Quarles and the team chaplain attended the concert despite the rainy weather. Quarles spoke to the group of about 100 about the importance of making right choices. The average age of clients is between 18 and 25, but the center has served girls as young as 12. Bauer wants to start an abstinence education program for teens. In fact, education is one of the main purposes of the center. It offers informational material, videos and classes on fertility awareness, prenatal care, newborn care and child development. Bauer said one successful program has been the "earn while you learn" program. After a woman completes certain requirements, she can choose from the Mommy and Me boutique, which contains baby items. "With this program we can gently break the cycle of dependence on the system and raise their self-confidence." Kristi Kingston, 21, who has an 8-month-old daughter, said she learned a lot about being a first-time parent from the center. Tanya Duff, 23, who is pregnant with her third child, said she wished she had known about the center during the other pregnancies. "I literally had nothing," Duff said. The center was founded in 1987 by George and Francis Rochford, the parents of Joan Tobey, who is now chairwoman of the board. Tobey said when the Rochfords moved to Florida from Washington, D.C., the "need to provide a pregnant support center was obvious." They were active in similar volunteer work in Washington. "The need here is so strong," Tobey said. "They don't have a lot but their pride, and we work with them." -- Angela Miller-Hood covers religion news in the Pasco County area and can be reached by calling (352) 521-5757, ext. 29, or toll free 1-800-333-7505, ext. 6108, then 29. Her e-mail address is angela@sptimes.com.
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From today's Pasco Times |
