A Heart of Compassion

Story By Lindy Oller Photos Contributed By Women’s Hope

Staff at Women's Hope assisting a patient

Many women who are pregnant for the first time have a list of questions that they often relay to their mother, grandmother, doctor or other members of their support system.

But some first-time pregnant women do not have a circle of family and friends they can go to for advice.

Women’s Hope Medical Clinic in Auburn provides an outlet for women facing unplanned pregnancies who need support when they find out they are pregnant, according to Daria Monroe, executive director of the clinic since 2017.

The clinic has served thousands of patients since its founding in 1983. Monroe said WHMC served more than 800 people in 2021. The clinic has continued to operate even in the middle of a pandemic.

At the beginning of the pandemic, the clinic was ready to adapt to the new changes created by COVID-19.

“Under the guidance of our medical director, our administrative staff temporarily worked from home while our medical staff limited hours to serve our most vulnerable patients,” Monroe said. “We maintained our most essential operations, and we shifted our parenting education program to entirely online classes.”

The clinic wanted to hold an event to help those financially impacted by the pandemic, Monroe said. In April 2020, the clinic had a curbside diaper giveaway that served over 200 families. Groceries were also provided through the clinic’s partnership with a local church.

The clinic has been able to go back to full operating hours, although the pandemic positively influenced the clinic’s education services.

“Our education program has grown exponentially over the last year and a half because of the ability to offer online classes,” Monroe said. “Our hope is to offer both flexible online and in-person programming.”

The classes help equip patients with the tools they need to make decisions regarding pregnancy. The clinic provides accurate and helpful information in a compassionate environment, to empower life-affirming choices that change lives, according to its website. The clinic’s website also states that it will not offer or refer patients for pregnancy

Women’s Hope Medical Staff terminations or birth control.

The mission of the clinic is to “glorify God through sharing the Gospel of Christ while empowering individuals to make healthy, Godly decisions for life,” Monroe said.

The clinic understands that people have different views regarding sensitive topics, she said.

“While everyone has an opinion, it is important to understand that Women’s Hope is not here to judge or pressure anyone who may differ from what we believe,” Monroe said. “The goal at Women’s Hope is to equip each person with education on the three choices available in pregnancy — parenting, adoption, abortion — and as much as possible, relieve concerns by providing caring support, information and resources when it is needed the most.”

The clinic aims to provide a nurturing environment for its patients.

Women’s Hope Medical Staff

Women’s Hope Medical Clinic Executive Director Daria Moore at the 2021 5K event with Aubie.

“All of our medical services are provided by fully licensed staff and volunteers,” she said. “We provide a welcoming space for both women and their partners to come and explore the difficult decisions they are facing.”

The clinic’s trained staff can assist in providing services that include pregnancy testing, limited obstetric ultrasounds, prenatal care, parenting education, maternity and infant supplies, medical referrals and counseling.

Monroe said some of the clinic’s peer counselors have experienced unplanned pregnancies themselves.

The clinic also has a “pregnancy loss counseling program and a memorial garden for families who have experienced loss through miscarriage or abortion,” Monroe said.

According to the March of Dimes, about 10 to 15 in 100 pregnancies end in miscarriage for women who know they are pregnant. Some miscarriages can occur before a woman realizes she is pregnant. According to the World Health Organization, there are about 73 million induced abortions that happen worldwide on a yearly basis. The clinic provides resources that are free and confidential for men and women.

Fathers, or the women’s partners, can also take part in some of the services the clinic offers.

“We help educate both men and women about their pregnancy options,” Monroe said. “We have a parenting education program that allows moms and dads to take parenting and life-skill classes and earn material items for their babies.” The clinic also added a program for parents called Hope Adoptions. This program guides a birth family through the adoption process and offers long-term support for both birth and adoptive parents, Monroe said. The clinic would not be where it is today without its supporters, including its board of directors. Patricia Moody, a member of the clinic’s board, said she wanted to be involved with the clinic because of her previous experience. “When I lived in Vermont, I volunteered with a small pregnancy care center in nearby New Hampshire,” Moody said. She said she wanted to volunteer at a clinic in Auburn. “After moving back to Auburn, I really felt the Lord telling me to become involved again, but I wasn’t sure how,” Moody said. “Not long after, I was asked to join this center’s board of directors.” Moody said many community members understand the impact the clinic has in Lee County. “Focus on any one service it offers and then imagine our area without it and you can see what a big hole that would leave,” Moody said.

The clinic, which receives its funding from members of the community, has impacted multiple generations of families in Lee County.

“WHMC does not receive any government funding, and instead relies on donations from people who believe in this effort to serve families and save lives,” Monroe said. “A donor’s support provides a full range of services to these men and women to empower them now and for years to come.”

Donors and volunteers are the heartbeat of the clinic. They are the people who keep the clinic in operation. People can send monetary and material donations through the clinic’s website. Donors also have the option to send their donation in honor or in memory of a loved one.

The clinic also receives funding from fundraisers. Two fundraising opportunities this year included the Run Like A Mom 5K and the Walk 4 Life 1 Mile Walk. Both events were held on March 19 at the Opelika Sportsplex.

“I think it’s essential to have an organization here with employees and volunteers who come alongside young women who find themselves pregnant without the support of their partner or parents,” Moody said. “Many desire to carry their child to term but have no one in their lives offering any encouragement.”

Moody said the clinic has changed many lives over the years.

“What I can tell you is that there are so very many children and adults living here and elsewhere who would never have been born were it not for this ministry’s love and care,” she said. “So many young women who just needed a little encouragement, loving support and invaluable perspective.”

Monroe said there are moments that remind her that the services the clinic provides to the community are significant.

“Every time that I hear of a young woman or man who is stressed or feeling they are unable to parent their baby but then leave Women’s Hope feeling heard, valued and supported, I know that the work done here is worth it,” Monroe said. “When the mother and/or father return to show us their baby, the look on their face of pride and love for their child tells the story.”

The clinic has seen thousands of patients come through their doors. Impacting just one person makes a difference.

“Personally, my fulfillment comes in seeing an individual who has been through our programs, become mature, strong and empowered spiritually, emotionally and relationally,” Monroe said.

The future of the clinic is to continue to educate and make a difference for its patients in the years to come.

“The legacy I desire Women’s Hope to have in Lee County and beyond is one of being a place where individuals and couples in unplanned pregnancies can find the support and information they need,” Monroe said.

To set up an appointment or donate to the clinic, visit its website at www.womenshope.org/.

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