March 28, 2024

Pregnancy Center sees influx

Center looking for more local support

Since the beginning of the year, the Pregnancy Center of Central Iowa has seen an influx of clients, going from seven appointments in January to 50 in September.

“We are only open four hours a day, four hours a week. So we’ve really, really seen a huge increase,” said Rita Baker, the center’s executive director.

Having this many clients and only being operational for such a small time frame during the week is quite the accomplishment, Baker said.  She and the center’s board have been thrilled by the expanded use of its services, however, this steady growth has put a damper on the nonprofit’s finances. PCCI offers all of its wide range of services free of charge to women who are expecting, planning or already a parent. They have services for fathers as well.

To help build back up its finances, it is planning on hosting several fundraising events in the upcoming months. Right now, its in the midst of its “Baby Bottle Drive.”

Baker said residents should be on the lookout for plastic bottles around town with a message taped around the outside. Baker and the board are asking that when people see these bottles, they consider placing a donation into them.

With PCCI’s services being free of charge, Baker said they serve a lot of low socioeconomic clients and collaborate with other local nonprofits like the Newton Salvation Army and United Way of Jasper County to provide as many features as they can.

Like other local service organizations, the center gives its clients a lot of bang for donor bucks so to speak, and Baker broke down just some of the offerings.

“Of course free pregnancy tests, sometimes we administer those. Unplanned (pregnancy) counseling and that’s available to the mom, the dad and all concerned family members. We actually, if need be, we will help a girl tell her family if she needs that kind of support,” Baker said.

PCCI also offers information on alternatives to abortion,  post-abortion counseling and information on abstinence education. There are even parenting classes for both mothers and fathers and the center recently acquired some updated study materials.

Participants in the “Earn While You Learn” program can accumulate “Mommy Money” or “Daddy Dollars,” which can be redeemed inside of PCCI’s store. The store features a seasonal rotation of clothing for younger children, baby accessories and even safety equipment.

A client can earn $1 worth of Mommy Money or Daddy Dollars by attending a class, and an additional $1 for completing a take home assignment.

Although the center is a religious organization, its services or available to anyone — not just Jasper County residents — who requires them and they try to operate in a judgment free environment, Baker said.

If a person is interested in contributing to the center — but doesn’t have the finances to make a donation — Baker said they are looking for volunteers to be therapists or board members.

Therapists would be trained by Baker, would need to be able to give four hours per week on Monday and Thursday, and have to respect client confidentiality and have an open mind. To serve on the board, a person would be required to attend one meeting a month on the second Monday of each month.

The center is open Monday-Thursday from 12 to 4 p.m. For more information on services, donating or volunteering, you can contact PCCI at (641) 792-3050 or visit the center, 200 N. Eighth Ave. East in Newton.

Contact Senior Staff Writer Ty Rushing at (641) 792-3121 Ext. 6532 or trushing@newtondailynews.com