If Issue 1, the proposed abortion amendment to the Ohio Constitution, passes next month, the work of Women’s Care Center in Columbus to assist mothers in need will be even more important, said center director Madeline Pesavento.
One in eight babies in Columbus is born to a mother who started her pregnancy journey at one of the Women’s Care Center two locations, the organization reports, and during the past year, half of the pregnant women who visited the center were initially thinking about abortion.
“But because of the sustained care and support that our donors make possible, 92% ultimately chose life for their babies,” Pesavento said.
The center provides holistic care from the moment a woman learns she is pregnant until she sends her little one off to school with healthy baby and parenting education and support every step of the way.
Free, confidential counseling, education, pregnancy testing and ultrasounds are offered to women. Once a mother chooses life, the center’s programming helps women have healthy babies and build nurturing families.
Parenting classes include Strong Fathers, Mommy and Me, Sibling Rivalry, Movement for Moms, Crockpot Cooking, Pediatric Hygiene, Budgeting Basics, Stress Management and more.
For using the center’s services, women earn coupons that can be redeemed at the Crib Club for clothes, car- seats and other baby supplies.
Last year, the Women’s Care Center distributed 115,789 new baby items locally.
“With the increased need in our state, we anticipate expansion, including potentially adding another center,” Pesavento said. “Thank you to so many readers who support this important work. Now more than ever, you are saving lives and building families. None of this is possible without you!”
Women’s Care Center invites supporters and all Catholics who love, serve and protect life to a Mass celebrated by Bishop Earl Fernandes at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 19 at Columbus St. Catharine Church, 500 S. Gould Road. Pizza-to-go will be provided after Mass.
Women’s Care Center was founded in Indiana in 1984 and has become the largest pregnancy resource center in the United States. Nearly 40 years later, 34 centers operate in 12 states: Ohio, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin.
In Columbus, Women’s Care Center was established in 2008 on Broad Street near a now-closed abortion provider. Just a few months later, a second center opened on East Main Street next to the largest abortion clinic in the region.
For more information on how you can support Women’s Care Center, visit supportwomenscarecenter.org or contact Pesavento at madeline@supportwcc.org.