April 2025 Letter

Sometimes we need a sign. If your GPS has ever led you in the wrong direction, you know how important it is to look for the road signs. Our clients are on a journey.  Many are cruising along all alone, without a clear destination and lacking good directions. When they enter our doors, they connect with our staff and volunteers. As they begin our Wellness Journey programming, the destination comes into view. There is a “travel companion” who joins them to help navigate and read the road signs ahead.

Our client’s transformative Wellness Journey begins with a Pregnancy Test. An ultrasound follows then she is invited to follow the “map” of programs for the next year or so. The important first stop on the journey is an Early Pregnancy Consultation where she meets with one of our Nurses for an assessment and early pregnancy education.  We look for key factors that impact maternal and infant health, discuss nutrition, exercise and other risks like smoking, weight gain, etc.  We are also working to get her partner involved with our men’s care team.

Birth Mapping is next, and this is where she begins to focus on the pathway toward childbirth. Her partner and/or support person joins her as she looks at the many decisions ahead.

Early Infant Care class is for both moms and dads. It’s an interactive, hands-on experience to prepare her for parenting. Early Infant Care is followed by Childbirth Classes led by our medical team.

After the baby is born, she returns for a “4th Trimester” assessment to screen for postpartum depression, nutritional needs, resource needs, and more.

The classes are in small groups where our clients begin to bond with each other. I can’t tell you how exciting it is to see these young women surround one another with love and support. Small incentives and resources are given along the way to assure that she is able to fulfil her plans. Perhaps the most exciting part of her journey is the latest addition: A Bible Study just for moms. These group meeting introduce the person of Jesus and give an overview of the Gospel.

When you support our work, please know that we are saving little lives. And we are also transforming families through vital programs that build healthy couples, strong parenting skills, and assess for ongoing needs. I know our moms and dads would want to join me in saying, “Thank you so much!”