4 minute read
Focus on Non-Profits: The Women's Center
The Women’s Center organization has existed in Addison County since 1986 with the mission of supporting those facing unplanned pregnancies and helping meet the myriad needs that accompany parenting and life's other challenges. In a world of increasing social pressure, The Women’s Center provides a refuge where confidentiality, honesty, and respect are part of our core commitment of care and competence.
We do this by empowering women with accurate information, free services, and practical support with a holistic and compassionate approach. One-on-one, clientfocused care and attention allows us to listen to and address the specific needs of individuals.
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Over the decades, as the nature of social and relational challenges have changed and new methods of service have been identified, the Center has evolved and grown to offer services that are tailored to educate, support, and empower in a variety of ways. The trained staff and volunteers are equipped to offer peer counseling alongside the medical services that are provided under the supervision and direction of a licensed medical physician.
The Women's Center offers the following services, free of charge:
Pregnancy Confirmation and Support
- Pregnancy testing via lab-quality tests
- Options Counseling
- Limited Ultrasound
Material Assistance
- Maternity Clothing
- Diapers, Wipes, Baby Supplies
- Baby Clothing Size NB to 5T
- Earn-While-You-Learn Program to earn points for essential items or gift cards
Parenting Education
- One-on-One, In-Person, or Virtual Classes
- Baby’s First Year: Infant Expectations, Safety, Nutrition, & More
- Toddlers: Developmental Milestones, Potty Training, Behavior Issues
- Older Children: Discipline, Character Issues, Communication
- Co-parenting: Stepparents and Single Parents
- Fathers: Practical Lessons on being a great father; Dad-to-Dad program
Pregnancy Wellness and Childbirth Education
- One-on-One, In-Person, or Virtual Classes
- Pregnancy Expectations, Health, Nutrition, etc.
- Labor and Delivery Courses
- Breastfeeding Courses
- Education on Postpartum Depression
Healthy Relationships and Life Skills Education
- One-on-One, In-Person, or Virtual Classes
- Information about STIs and STDs
- Developing Communicative, Positive Partnerships, and Healthy Boundaries
- Budgeting, Planning the Future, and Job Searching
Recovery Support
One-on-One or Group Counseling and Support for:
- Post-Abortion
- Abuse or Domestic Violence
- Relationship Loss
- Pregnancy Loss/Miscarriage
At The Women’s Center we recognize that we are not able to meet every need and work hard to become acquainted with the myriad resources in the area. Addison County has an amazing community of supportive organizations, and the staff at The Women’s Center seeks to partner with others to provide wrap-around services so that no need is neglected.
Some have understood that The Women’s Center is a pro-life religious organization that counsels a woman not to terminate a pregnancy, or that we push a religious agenda, offering client services contingent upon taking religious classes. This is false.
The staff and volunteers share a faith that motivates us to value each person and to treat them with dignity and respect. That means counseling and support is geared to provide information on all options so that any decision is a well-informed one. This allows an individual to be able to look back on that decision knowing that they made the best choice with all the information. When one feels they have no other options, The Women’s Center opens options and provides a path forward with more choices that are attainable. And the Center is there to continue to walk alongside individuals with an abundance of support, no matter what choice they make. No pressure and no judgement.
We don’t want you to take our word for it, but to hear directly from clients about their experiences at The Women's Center!
Client Testimonials
The Women's Center is a 501c3 non-profit where community support ensures our ability to meet the needs of local women and men facing unexpected pregnancies and other life challenges. We are 100% funded through the generosity of individuals, businesses, and organizations in the community. We encourage those who are unfamiliar with, or are uncertain about, the services and practices of The Women’s Center to contact us or stop in to learn more.
