A poor woman came to First Call Pregnancy Center one afternoon, desperate for help. Her husband wanted her to have an abortion--they had no insurance and already had another child they were struggling to care for.
Case workers did what they could to calm her, realizing if they couldn't see her husband, their efforts would be in vain. But he was a roofer and always working.
One day, in a teeming thunderstorm, they arrived. The sonographer and case worker showed the couple their baby's beating heart on a donated 32-inch plasma ultrasound monitor. Everyone on staff joined the father in his tears as he embraced his wife. And their unborn son.
Five minutes after the couple left, a bolt of lightning cut the power, leaving the center in total darkness. And in search of a back-up generator so future miracles could be assured.
It’s obvious a lot of thought (and a lot of caring volunteer hours) went in to rehabbing the old home into a new center. They've gone to great pains to overcome what could be sterile, scary even, and made it comfortable. The air oozes a quiet calm. The employees and volunteers radiate experience, patience, acceptance.
In back is a baby boutique nicer than any I’ve seen, lined with wicker armoires, stacked with tidy, color-coordinated onesies and pastel layettes. Clients (they see about 90 a month) can trade Mommy Money earned at appointments and parenting classes for baby clothes, formula and even expensive gear like cribs and car seats.
Executive director Margaret Keck says they try to give all they can every step of the way to build a circle of support around a mother and her family.
“So many women come in here very scared," she says. "Our main mission is to help them get past that and make a decision they can live with. After that we can build a relationship... get them to plan... teach them about taking care of themselves and their baby... help them understand that being pregnant doesn't mean you have to throw away your goals and dreams.”
First Call Pregnancy Center
1531 West Broad Street
Greensboro, Ga. 30642
706-453-1908
www.pregnancygreensboro.org
Monday, April 12, 2010
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