ABC
Pregnancy Care Center; serving families with love
by
Erica Boone and Hannah Proffitt
ABC Pregnancy Care Center celebrates 22
years of serving Garden City and the surrounding area. In recent years ABC has faced many valleys,
from two of the four staff facing major health concerns, to wondering if the
doors would close due to lack of funds, to operating without an Executive
Director for nearly two years. Through
it all God provided peace, guidance and renewed life.
ABC has rebooted,
reexamining everything from the Board of Directors to the services we
provide. “It’s almost like we started
completely over,” says Hannah Proffitt, Office Manager. “But the changes have
given new life and a renewed energy.”
Not only has the inner workings of the center changed, the building has
changed as well with the latest project being the Boutique.
Earlier this year,
the center was blessed with a new sonogram machine from the Knights of Columbus
and Daughters of Isabella. Our recent
fundraising banquet raised more than $40,000 in one night. The Board and Staff feel as though they’ve
seen the Lord at work in this place and it is exciting to be a part of.
What exactly does
ABC Pregnancy Care Center do you might ask?
The name may lead you to believe the center only helps pregnant
women. That is true but there is so much
more to it than that. Opponents of
pregnancy centers would have you believe we only care about the baby and a
pregnant mom’s immediate needs. When
Erica Boone accepted the position of Executive Director this past September,
she summed it up beautifully.
“When I accepted
the position as Executive Director of ABC Pregnancy Care Center and shared with
others about my coming job change, I was met with tilted heads, raised eyebrows
and questions. The tilted heads and raised eyebrows came because of the stark difference
in work going from nursing home care to pre-born care.
The question I
heard most frequently was “What do they do there?” I’m curious, how would you
answer that question? Of course I explained that we do
free pregnancy tests and talk with pregnant moms about their options and
provide assistance for them in various ways. While that’s all very true, my
answer today would be different. The transforming power of the gospel is at the
root of the services we provide. We share hope and help, not just through a
pregnancy test, diapers and classes, but by sharing the love of Christ with the
women and men who come to the center. We want to share the gospel with our
clients and see their lives transformed by the power of Christ as much as we
want them to choose life for their babies. We aren't just pro-life, we are
pro-abundant-life.”
ABC offers a
variety of services, all of which are completely free and confidential:
Most new clients
come to ABC in need of a pregnancy test.
Of course, home tests are common, but at ABC clients are given an
opportunity to talk with someone about how they are feeling about their
pregnancy and be counseled on their options and offered resources and classes
to help prepare them for parenthood.
Clients who feel overwhelmed or unsure about having a baby, are offered
classes and resources to equip them in making life-affirming decisions. Some clients come in need of a pregnancy
verification card to get started with pre-natal care. ABC is able to provide this important
documentation and connect clients with medical providers to care for them
during their pregnancy.
ABC also offers
classes for pregnancy and parenting classes.
Bridges Director, Genessa West says “Bridges
offers weekly encouragement through Gods’ word, and support in a group setting.
During class we discuss pregnancy issues like health and nutrition, fetal and
infant development, and newborn care. We also cover life skills topics such as
budgeting, interviewing for a job and the importance of marriage. Currently
there are 8-10 in attendance each week.”
In addition to
Bridges, ABC offers one-on-one classes that can be tailored to a client’s
needs, stage of pregnancy and parenting up to age 9. Both class options offer clients the opportunity
to earn “baby bucks” that can be spent exclusively in the ABC Boutique.
ABC also provides sonograms by appointment
only. Clients who meet the center’s
criteria are offered a free limited sonogram and anyone can earn a free “fun”
sonogram by participating in classes. ABC
has a well-stocked “Free Center” that anyone can take from, no classes or baby
bucks needed, and newborn emergency kits available upon request.
ABC Pregnancy Care
Center has recently allotted Thursday night to start a group study of the abortion
recovery program, “Forgiven and Set Free”. This study helps women with abortion
in their past to find forgiveness and healing through biblical teaching. Anyone
interested in learning more can confidentially email forgiven@abcpcc.org.
Over the years ABC
has been able to help more than 5,500 men and women. Here are a few comments about their
experiences with the center:
"When I came
to ABC for the first time, I found help right away. I felt comfortable and I'm
glad I came."
"My life would
be different if I didn't have the help and support of ABC because I wouldn't
know that there are a number of girls in the same shoes as me. Without ABC I
would probably feel alone."
"The idea of a
Christian support group for pregnant women really intrigued me, a place where I
wouldn't be judged sounded fantastic!"
"I learned a
lot about how to be a good parent and how to try to redirect my life. I was
able to get stuff for my son that I could not afford on my own."
"ABC has
helped me with parenthood education, childcare and being a good father and
provider for my family."
"Knowing that
if I have any questions or concerns, I have a great resource. It was a great
opportunity that I'm very grateful for."
For additional
information, contact ABC Pregnancy Care Center today. All services are
completely FREE. The center does not profit from the decision you make.
Many Christian’s
identify as pro-life, but struggle with how to put their conviction into action
other than voting for pro-life candidates.
By financially supporting or volunteering at a pregnancy resource center
like ABC, you can help women and men make life-affirming pregnancy
decisions. Executive Director, Erica
Boone says, “most women and men considering abortion don’t need to be convinced
that their unborn baby is human life, they need to know that it’s possible to
carry their child to term and that they have the support to make that decision,
that’s where we come in.”
ABC Pregnancy Care
Center has a variety of opportunities to be involved in their ministry from
financial giving and volunteerism, to serving as church liaison. “We have different types of volunteer
opportunities based on your schedule, strengths and interests. Volunteers who’d like to work directly with
clients are provided with the training and resources they need, while other
clients help with center upkeep such as data entry and donation management. We
always appreciate knowing that we have dedicated prayer warriors lifting the
center and our clients up in prayer. There is really something for everyone who
wants to get involved,” says Erica Boone.
ABC communicates to
local churches through church liaisons.
Liaisons are offered a list if ministry ideas to support ABC Pregnancy
Care Center through churches. If your
church does not have a liaison, contact the center for more information.
One way to support
the ministry is by donating new baby items.
All items pregnancy and baby related up to age two are welcome. Next time you are out shopping consider
picking up an extra item for the Boutique.
Specifically, the center could use clothing 18-24 months, women’s socks,
infant and toddler medicine, infant grooming kits, sippy cups, cribs, play
yards and car seats.
For more
information, or to sign up to receive “Care Link,” the ABC newsletter, call the
center or email info@abcpcc.org.
You can reach us at
ABC Pregnancy Care Center, 509 N. 6th St, Garden City, KS 67846
Email:
info@abcpcc.org
Website:
www.abcpregnancycarecenter.org
Phone:
620-275-1777, 620-275-8482 Spanish
Business
hours: Monday - Thursday: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM