impact REPORT 2024
BOARD
Rob Glass, President
Riley Bland, Vice President
Steven Nutt, Treasurer
Scott Ackley, Secretary
Trisha Wren
Dahl Gomez
Chance Kirk
MaryAnn Hailey
Charky Marquis
Lillie Atkeisson
STAFF
Lauren Venable, Executive Director
Michelle Spears, Medical Director
Vanessa Perez, Director of Operations
Megan Fryer, RN-BSN, Nurse Manager
Ed Miller, LPC - S, Director of Clinical Counseling
Tara Podjenski, LPC, Staff Counselor
Joyce Cawthorn, Lead Client Care Coordinator
Suzanne Curry, Education Services Director
Rachel Moore, Bilingual Client Care Coordinator
Chelsea Zavala, LVN, Front Office Manager
Weekly Volunteers:
Sharon Bugg, Kim Blake, Barb Kubinski, Terri Miller, Ashley Myers, Elaina Burleson, Laura
Ackley, Donna Greenman, Diana Thomason LPC-A,
Vanessa Williams LPC Graduate Student Intern, Joyce Scholten, Marilyn Chellette
A Note from the Director
As I reflect on this past year at Hope Center, I’m struck by how it has been one of both growth and tenderness, not only for the families we serve but also for me personally. This year, I experienced firsthand the loving support of our Hope
Center team in a way that resonated deeply, much like the care many of our clients receive here. The loss of my grandmother, our family’s matriarch, was a reminder of how much we all need a community around us, especially in challenging times. And, every step of the way, I was met with grace and tenderness from the Hope Team, just like so many of our clients are as they walk through their own seasons of hardship. What a blessing.
This year, we celebrated 40 years of Hope Center being a beacon in this community. While we certainly celebrated in the traditional way with huge gathering and amazing company, we also celebrated in ways that further exemplify the heart of Hope - we launched an abortion recovery ministry called “Forgiven and Set Free”. A precious client who chose abortion earlier this year returned to us broken and heavy laden with guilt - through a joint effort between our counseling office and this abortion recovery bible study, this client came to know Jesus as her personal Savior and is working through her abortion experience with fresh eyes and beautiful grace. We’ve also seen incredible growth in our grief support for women navigating pregnancy and infant loss. Additionally, our mental health department has blossomed, enabling us to serve more families with the support they need. Our education department is seeing deep growth in the parents who are participating as they move from lessons on simple infant care into deeper lessons on regulating emotions and healthy communication. Our clinic has been busier than ever before this year - with 50+ more pregnancy tests on record than last year. Our services have been vital for so many, and I’m grateful for every life touched because of your support.
Looking to the future, I’m thrilled to share that we’ve established an endowment fund this year, ensuring Hope Center’s stability and growth for the long term. This fund marks a commitment to sustainability and impact that will reach beyond today, building a legacy of hope for generations to come.
Thank you for being such a faithful partner in this work. Your support is woven into every story of healing, strength, and transformation we see each day. I invite you to continue this journey with us, we know the Lord still has so much in store for Hope Center and the families we serve!
With heartfelt gratitude,
Executive Director
FINANCIALSNAPSHOT
New this year: Hope Center’s Endowment Fund
securing stability and growth for generations to come. $200,000 initial investment
1-1-2024 THROUGH 10-31-2024
Fundraising Events: $183,295 (one-time banquet donations, corn hole tournament, baby bottle boomerang)
Donor Gifts: $96,853 (churches, monthly donations, memorials)
Grants/Trusts: $314,990 (local, national & government grants)
1500+
STUDENTS TAUGHT IN AREA SCHOOLS
120+
CLIENTS PARTICIPATING IN CLASSES EACH MONTH
783 UNIQUE CLIENTS SERVED
1-1-2024 THROUGH 11-13-2024
$45,000+ IN PARENTING NECESSITY ITEMS EARNED BY PARTICIPANTS
TOTAL CLIENTSSERVED
MENTAL HEALTH
43 NEW MOMS ASSESSED FOR POSTPARTUM DEPRESSION & PSYCHOSIS 6-8 WEEKS AFTER DELIVERY.
OF THOSE ASSESSED21 HAVE CONTINUED IN COUNSELING CARE BASED ON NEED.
26 GRIEF SESSIONS ATTENDED BY FAMILIES FACING PREGNANCY OR INFANT LOSS
423 COUNSELING SESSIONS ATTENDED IN 2024 SALVATION DECISIONS
4
POST ABORTION BIBLE STUDIES ATTENDED (LAUNCHED IN OCTOBER)
20 CRISIS MOMENTS HANDLED BY A LICENSED MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONAL
THE VALUE OF THE VALUE OF HOPE CENTER HOPE CENTER
Reflects the cost of the average amount of services a family receives from Hope Center from the 1st appointment (pregnancy test) to the child’s 3rd birthday. The figures below reflect ACTUAL cost based on 2023 budget.
pregnancy testing & options education
monthly cost of parenting education classes ultrasound
labor & delivery class
postpartum LPC session (includes screening for postpartum depression screening)
monthly supply of diapers, wipes, clothing, formula & hygiene items
crib
car seat
biblical counseling with LPC
$145
$209
$119/mo.
(total of 45 eligible months of classes)
$100
$150
$100/ mo. (average of 45 eligible months depending on when they start)
$114
$130
$150/session (average of 32 sessions per year.)
AVERAGE COST TO SERVE 1 CLIENT FOR PREGNANCY + 3 YEARS
$28,196
STORY CLIENT
This year, our staff was blessed to celebrate the birth of a beautiful baby girl alongside her young mother. The journey began when the mother and her partner first walked through our doors for a pregnancy test, excited to share some details about their lives. Their joy was evident, and we had the privilege of witnessing their happiness firsthand when the results were confirmed.
As the days went by, they returned to our center for an ultrasound, and we saw their excitement deepen as they caught a first glimpse of their baby girl. Filled with awe and anticipation, this mother-to-be expressed her heartfelt desire to prepare for motherhood. She registered for our parenting classes, ready to learn and grow.
With each visit, a genuine bond of trust began to form. She opened up gradually, revealing that her situation was more challenging than we knew. She confided that she had walked to her appointment that day and was living without access to running water. Despite her brave face, she confided that she was on the brink of homelessness, facing this journey without the support she had expected from those in her life. Without a support system, she faced these challenges alone, carrying a heavy load and feeling unsure of where to turn for help.
Our center became a safe haven for her—a place where she could share her worries without judgment and find compassionate guidance. Through a series of heartfelt conversations, our staff connected her with resources to lighten her load.
We introduced her to our licensed professional counselor, who offered her emotional support and encouragement. Our care coordinators stepped in to help her develop a plan, guiding her through each step, from finding an OBGYN to navigating the complex process of applying for Medicaid and accessing essential healthcare.
The classes equipped her with essential knowledge, empowering her to make healthy choices for herself and her baby. Each session helped her build confidence and develop skills, preparing her to face every new challenge with strength and preparedness.
Motherhood is filled with questions, uncertainties, and, at times, overwhelming decisions. Our staff was there when she asked, “Why are there so many types of bottles and diapers? Which one is best for my baby? Will I be a good mother if I choose the generic brand?” These seemingly small choices held great importance for her, and we were grateful to offer a listening ear, practical advice, and encouragement.
Any mother will tell you that motherhood brings challenges and difficult moments, but those challenges can feel even more intense for a mother with limited resources. In her, we saw the strength and courage it takes to face life’s hardships while holding onto hope. Our role, though humble, is to be a stable and caring presence in an unpredictable world. We may not have every answer or a quick fix for every struggle, but we strive to offer each person who comes to us a place of kindness, community, and care. Through God’s grace and the unwavering support of our community, we celebrate new life, fresh beginnings, and the opportunity to witness families take their first steps toward a future filled with hope and promise each day.
Shared from Vanessa Perez, Director of Operations
List of Services
ABORTION EDUCATION
Hope Center provides clients with medically accurate information regarding abortion. This is important for the client to know prior to choosing abortion as an option. If they choose to follow through with an abortion we will not refer and do not recommend.
ADOPTION EDUCATION AND REFERRALS
Hope Center provides clients with a look at what adoption is, how it works, and the benefits of placing for adoption. We are constantly working to remove the stigma around adoption for many of our clients.
CLINICAL COUNSELING
Hope Center offers on-site, professional counseling for clients needing mental health support through pregnancy, parenting decisions, family hardships, or postpartum struggles.
MATERNITY & INFANT SUPPLIES
Through attending pregnancy and parenting classes the parents earn baby bucks. Each month they get to shop in the baby store for items needed to care for themself and their child. This includes but not limited to; diapers, wipes, carseats, cribs, pack n plays, bottles, burp rags, blankets, and clothing
MEDICAID ENROLLMENT ASSISTANCE
Several team members are trained and ready to help our clients enroll in Medicaid so they can begin receiving much-needed prenatal care early in their pregnancy. We want to continue these services and connect more clients with medical professionals as early as possible.
MEDICAL REFERRALS
Hope Center provides our clients with a list of medical referrals based on their needs. This list is made up of medical providers that we know hold the same commitment of care and value of life as Hope Center.
PREGNANCY/PARENTING EDUCATION
From the time the mother finds out she is pregnant through the time the baby is born until their third birthday the parents are able to attend classes. The curriculum taught is an all inclusive research based curriculum for expecting parents and parents with newborn through toddler age children.
PREGNANCY TESTING
Confirmation Pregnancy Tests are performed for clients. Based on the results of the test, additional information is then given and discussed with the client .
POST-ABORTION, POST-LOSS SUPPORT
Hope Center offers cost free post abortion or post loss support through our Licensed Professional counselor and our grief support groups.
List of Services
SPIRITUAL MENTORSHIP
Every client who walks through our doors is offered spiritual mentorship. This person is dedicated to praying for our clients and being a trusted member of their care team that is deeply rooted in faith.
LIMITED ULTRASOUND
Hope Center provides Limited Ultrasounds to clients after a positive pregnancy test in our facility. During this scan the nurse and medical director are able to check the placement of the baby, gestational age and the heartbeat. This is also the time our clients are introduced to the life in their womb.
NEXT STEPS EDUCATION PROGRAM
Shifting the focus from the basics of child care and development, we take it deeper to focus on healthy parenting from a place of shame-free, growth focused help.
savethedate!
Annual Fundraiser Banquet
April 11, 2025
Sponsorships Available in February
Tickets will launch in March