HPC News:
“‘I think I may be pregnant. Can you help me?’ is heard weekly here,” says Saree Clark, Executive Director of HOPE Pregnancy Center, “We provide free pregnancy tests and an opportunity for a woman to talk about her concerns. All our services are free of charge and confidential.”
Most pregnancy tests come back negative, says Clark, but a connection with the center has been made and the young woman knows she can return in the future, if needed.
“When a test comes back positive, we discuss what a woman is thinking regarding the pregnancy, and help her identify her support systems. We refer her to local organizations that can help her if she decides to continue with the pregnancy, and can discuss adoption if she is open to that. We give her information on the abortion procedure, if that is her choice and she wants information. We will be offering a Post Abortion Support Education (PASE) program this fall. It is open to any woman who has decided on abortion, no matter how much time has passed,” Client Service Administrator Joanne Lestone said.
In addition to pregnancy tests, HOPE provides individual parent mentoring classes, information on abstinence and STDs, and material assistance. HOPE’s parent mentoring curriculum covers pregnancy through toddler years, including prenatal and child development, birth, bonding, breastfeeding, and developing healthy parenting practices.
“The majority of our clients seeking pregnancy tests are young women from the high school and UNM-LA,” Clark says, “and many of those seeking parent mentoring often come here initially seeking material assistance and find they want to learn more about their baby and themselves.”
HOPE is holding A Night of Laughs with comedian Brad Stine at 6 p.m. Monday, Aug. 26 at Crossroads Bible Church, 97 East Road. This event will be a dessert gala fundraiser with entertainment. Stine has performed on HBO, ABC, NBC, FOX, MTV, CNN, Good Morning America, MSNBC, and PBS. www.ambassadorspeakers.com. Entrance is free.
Charitable donations can be made to HOPE by check or through the United Way of Northern New Mexico by indicating HOPE as the designee.
HOPE Pregnancy Center is a nonprofit organization, part of the CareNet Affiliation, a Christian ministry offering abortion alternatives, including adoption options, pregnancy and parenting information and support. Please call 662-2300 or email office@hpcla.org for more information about HOPE, its services, or the dessert fundraiser starring Brad Stine.
