Kiwanis learn about pregnancy center

With the teen pregnancy rates in Okeechobee County souring above most of the other 67 counties in Florida, Laurie Garner, the new director of the soon-to-reopen Pregnancy Center of Okeechobee, the assistance of the community as a whole is needed to make the center’s mission a success.

Mrs. Garner spoke to that effect at the weekly Kiwanis luncheon on Thursday, where members learned why Okeechobee desperately needs a pregnancy center and how the center will help the citizens of Okeechobee.

According to Mrs. Garner, Okeechobee ranks second in the state for teen pregnancy rate for girls ages 10-12.

The Pregnancy Center of Okeechobee will be located at the previous center’s location at 1505 S. Parrott Ave., which had closed its doors in December 2006. Mrs. Garner hopes to reopen the doors to the newly remodeled center in either late August or early September.

The Pregnancy Center of Okeechobee is partnering with the Healthy Start Coalition, which is allowing them to provide certified pregnancy testing free of charge. A certified nurse is being provided through Healthy Start that will allow women to be able to take the test at the center and be directed to a prenatal program in order to help raise the early prenatal care statistics.

According to Mrs. Garner, the Pregnancy Center of Okeechobee is undeniably and unashamedly pro-life but will still be offering counseling regardless of the decision of the mother. When possible, they will be working with potential parents who attend parenting classes.

Through these parenting classes with Lori Jaquith, the parents-to-be will learn how to take care of their newborn and how to become responsible citizens of society. They will also receive boutique bucks through attending these classes that they will be able to use at the center for much needed items such as baby clothes, diapers and other items donated or purchased through donated funds.

Through these classes and learning to become a responsible parent, the center will be helping to create more responsible employees for the business community by making the parents-to-be realize that they must maintain a high work ethic in order to take care of themselves and their child.

The newly remodeled center will also be offering ultrasounds roughly one to two nights a week by a local ultrasound technician who is donating her time to the center. This will allow the parents to see and hear the heartbeat of their baby at an early stage during their decision process when they first find out about their pregnancy.

The center will also be a place where individuals can be made aware of all the state and local resources that are available to them.

Those who have pregnancy tests that come back negative will also receive counseling in abstinence training in order to educate them to prevent an unwanted pregnancy in the future.

The yearly operating budget of the center is estimated to be approximately $50,000. They will be holding a Christmas in July fundraising event at the KOA Kampground on Thursday, July 19, from 6 until 9 p.m. Tickets to the event are still available for $25 per person or $125 per table of six people.

source : www.newszap.com