On a recent morning at the Pregnancy and Family Center, formerly the Pregnancy Resource Center, volunteers met with women from all walks of life, facing various circumstances.
A young woman who was thirsty and feeling depressed was waiting outside the door. Director Angela Johnson gave her a bottle of water, then helped connect her with a local mental health counselor.
A woman who lives in another state stopped by with a 6-week-old baby. The woman also was worried about her mental health. Johnson called a physician to set up an appointment.
A pregnant woman who had previous miscarriages visited next. Johnson made sure she had signed up for the Women Infants Children (WIC) program and was receiving adequate prenatal care.
At other times, the center will fill those attending parenting classes that are accepted by the court system. Sometimes parents who just want to learn how to be better parents stop by for help. Also available at the center are clothing and childcare items that parents can purchase with Mommy and Daddy Bucks, which they earn by taking classes, participating in support groups or social service programs, scheduling doctor visits or doing other things that benefit their children.
Johnson hopes to eventually offer programs to help with drug and alcohol abuse.
In the past year, the Center has undergone a serious shift in its mission. It’s not just about a pregnancy. It’s about helping the entire family.
“Any resources we can find to help a parent become a better parent, and help the whole family, that’s what we’re about,” Johnson said.
True, the facility is Christ-centered and anti-abortion. Those who walk through the doors can expect to meet with volunteers who will pray with them and for them. They can obtain a free pregnancy test, and receive pro-life guidance and prenatal support if the test is positive.
“That is who we are. We are very clear and firm about who we are. We will stand behind that,” Johnson said.
And while that aspect of the program may be well-known, the center offers several services that may be less obvious. Many of the changes have been developed in the past year, hitting a slight snag when the coronavirus pandemic forced the doors to be closed to the public. Volunteers continued to serve, taking calls and delivering items as a drive-up service.
The facility at 1 S. Jefferson Ave. is open again, 9 a.m. to noon on Mondays and Wednesdays. Phone numbers are posted on the door for those who need assistance after hours.
The center serves residents in Iola, Colony, Garnett, Yates Center and Chanute. It operates on donations and volunteer labor.
Some improvements have been made to the facility itself, including new shelves, an expanded clothing section that now includes items for children up to age 12, more infant food and related products, and hygiene products for all ages.
A portion of the building was remodeled into a “conversation room,” where Johnson and other volunteers can meet in comfort with clients, or for groups to gather for classes or meetings.
