A center in Blount County (TN) that helps women and their families who are faced with unwanted pregnancies turned 30 years old this weekend.
The Pregnancy Resource Center is located on Old Niles Ferry Road in Maryville. The center, that provides all of its services free of charge, saw 510 clients in 2015, rendering services that would have cost more than $160,000.
Valerie Millsapps, executive director, said this nonprofit is able to do this with only four paid staff members and 26 volunteers. PRC provides pregnancy testing and ultrasound, maternity clothing and baby clothes, diapers, formula and other necessities. All is given at no cost and all of the services are confidential.
Going back to 1986
This weekend is the 30th anniversary of the center, which opened back in January, 1986. Bill Swiggart, and Sandie and Steve Hodges were the founders. It started out on Neff Street in Maryville and had two other homes until it located on Old Niles Ferry.
To celebrate its longevity and future endeavors, PRC is hosting an open house from 4-7 p.m. Monday, Jan. 25. The public is inited to drop by, tour the center and learn about volunteer and support opportunities.
The center was well received in the community when it first opened its doors. But, there was a lack of knowledge about the need, Millsapps said. Folks back then didn’t think middle and high school students needed sex education.
[Click here to subscribe to Pregnancy Help News!]
“The early days were a lot of education and awareness to the community,” she said.
The number of clients served has increased over the years. In 2013, that number was 412. In 2014, clients served climbed to 415 and now 510 in 2015.
A true ministry
Longtime volunteers like Kathy Myers will be present at the open house. This registered nurse said she first started out taking donations to PRC after a representative from the center came to her church. That was 20 years ago.
In 2005, Myers was asked to join the board of directors, and she served for three years. It was during that tenure that PRC voted to begin offering ultrasounds to its clients. Myers knew she had to become a part of that.
“That was of great interest to me because I became pro-life instead of pro-choice because of an ultrasound I had with my daughter.”
Myers’ daughter was born in 1985. Ultrasound was new at the time. Myers said she was 10 weeks into her pregnancy when she saw her child in the womb, moving around. “Literally, I had one of those defining moments,” she said. “I got up off that table different than I was when I laid down there. This is life.”
Myers graduated from high school in 1973. She attended nursing school soon after. In those days, she said abortion was accepted by many. Some, like her, have changed directions.
She took her ultrasound training back in 2010 and then came on board as a volunteer nurse at PRC.
“This is a ministry to me,” this volunteer said. “This is where I’m supposed to be, using my nursing skills.”
Hearts and hands together
When a woman comes into PRC and asks for help, there are no judgments made, both Millsapps and Myers said. Of course they want the pregnant teens or adults to choose to have the baby. Resources are made available to help them though the difficult time. Adoption is an option that is also discussed.
There is sadness but also gladness as PRC reaches out to women and their families who must make the ultimate decision. Myers said they just recently were visited by a woman who came to them a couple of years ago for help. She wants to become a volunteer. Her son is now 2 years old.
[Click here to subscribe to Pregnancy Help News!]
Many churches and also individuals and businesses help make sure the doors stay open. They donate the diapers, formula, clothing and financial support. Fundraisers are also held every year.
“They operate on a shoestring,” Myers said. “I am still amazed at what they can do with the money they have. So many of them spend more hours than they are paid for.”
Beyond one person
While the client list stands at 510 for 2015, Millsapps said that doesn’t reflect the real numbers. “I think you should really count the children in that 510,” she said. “And families. I think when a child is born, it impacts the whole family.”
Reaching a 30th anniversary is a milestone and PRC will be celebrating all year long. The center is planning a run on April 9 at Sandy Springs Park. Folks will be able to sign up at the open house.
As for other future plans, PRC is currently raising funds to purchase a mobile unit that came be taken out to rural communities. Millsapps said it will be on the road as soon as donations come in.
“It we had 2,300 families skipping a meal out this week, we could have that mobile unit tomorrow,” she said. “That’s $50 per family. We cannot wait to be able to go to those in our community that cannot come to us.”
The other huge goal for 2016 is retiring the mortgage on the building. That is something PRC hopes to do before year’s end.
“Then we can repurpose our budget and pour back into the community, and reach out to more people who need help,” Millsapps said.
Article originally appeared at TheDailyTimes.com in Maryville, TN. Reprinted with permission.
