Pregnancy Care Center busier than ever
Author Lee Strobel was the keynote speaker at last month's Pregnancy Care Center fundraising banquet.
For over 30 years, the Pregnancy Care Center of Wayne County has been helping women make healthy pregnancy decisions.
Last month the PCC's 33rd annual fundraising banquet was held at the Greystone Event Center in Wooster with keynote speaker Lee Strobel, author of "The Case for Christ." Over 800 people came to what is now one of the largest events in Wayne County, and $228,000, which is about 40% of PCC's operating budget, was donated.
“It's really exciting to see the community get behind us,” PCC Executive Director Bekah Hilty said.
Strobel had been an atheist, helped a friend get an abortion in high school and later became a Christian. He toured the PCC before his evening talk.
“It was phenomenal," Hilty said of Strobel's talk. "The Case for Life was the title of his message. At the end he pulled out a check and said he was very impressed with the welcoming atmosphere and professionalism at the PCC.”
Most of the money in PCC's operating budget goes toward programs. Because it doesn't receive tax dollars, all PCC services are donation funded and free.
“It's important for people to know it's all free services," Hilty said. "We see the cost as a barrier. When a woman comes to us, she's in a crisis, so we offer everything for free to break down the barriers so they can come to us.”
Over the years as clients and people have requested programs, they've been added.
Currently, the PCC offers a range of services to Wayne and Holmes residents including pregnancy testing, ultrasounds, parenting classes, STD testing, infant loss support, adoption, counseling and after-abortion support. It also has volunteers who go into almost every school in both counties and teach an abstinent relationship program, seeing about 2,500 students a year. In addition, the PCC, located at 331 W. Liberty St. in Wooster, is a medical facility under the direction of Dr. Sharon Marcanthony.
“Our services are geared to helping a woman or a family that needs some help and assistance," Hilty said. "They often don't have a lot of support, so we provide relational support, pair them up one on one with a mentor and they get to shop in our baby boutique.”
New or gently used items are currently needed for the baby boutique. Clients who attend parenting classes regularly can shop with baby bucks they earn. The PCC works with parents for two to three years after a child is born to provide education and support. Most years over $50,000 a year in baby supplies is donated, but this year there is an increase in clients.
PCC also works with the court systems, and many parents whose kids are in foster care will come take parenting classes so they can take custody of their children again. The PCC also offers a fatherhood program.
“We believe that the dad plays a critical role in a child's life," Hilty said. "Stats show that the father is the biggest factor as to if a girl will keep a child. We encourage men that you don't have to get married, just to help support the child."
The age range of PCC clients is typically 15-24. Although there are seven staff members, the PCC is primarily a volunteer-based agency.
“This year, due to the increase in clients, we extended our hours once and are looking to do that again," Hilty said. "Typically, there is a wait for the parenting classes. I love to tell people that I appreciate our community so much. Even though not everyone perfectly agrees with our mission, they appreciate the services we provide.”
Information about the Pregnancy Care Center can be found at www.pccwayneoh.org, and it can be called at 330-264-5880.