Crisis pregnancy center offers help

Instead "crisis pregnancy centers," such as this one in the 1000 block of East Lincoln Highway, have started obtaining medical center status in the hopes that new services they can offer with that classification will draw new clientele.

Through the recent medical designation, ultrasounds are now offered to select clients free of charge, along with a host of other free services, including pregnancy testing, counseling, childbirth classes, parenting classes, post-abortion counseling and referrals. Attendance at classes earns expectant mothers "parent pay" they can use to obtain clothing and baby supplies at no cost.

The ultrasounds are given to women deemed "abortion-minded" or "abortion-vulnerable" by counselors at the center, who make it a goal to dissuade their clients from taking that step.

"For many women, it is finding out the truth that there really is a baby in there," said Pennell. "They can see what the baby looks like. It takes away the mystery."
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