Freshly graduated and brimming with ambition to become the next female CEO, Lauren’s world took an unexpected turn when she discovered she was pregnant. Overwhelmed by fear and uncertainty, she grappled with how to reconcile this new reality with her career aspirations.

Seeking guidance, Lauren visited our center, where a staff member offered to pray with her and discuss her situation from a faith-based perspective. Lauren recalls, “It was in that conversation that one of the staff members really informed me that the decision I was going to face…was really an eternal decision…I really realized that if you’re going to make a decision in life…you have to make sure you’re rooted in love and not rooted in fear.”

Lauren and her boyfriend returned to the center for a sonogram, where they heard their daughter’s heartbeat for the first time. She noted, “That confirmation of life…was the exact validation we needed to know that the decision we were making was the right decision.”

Reflecting on her journey, Lauren says, “I do not feel like I have lost anything in my career or just in general from being a mom. If anything, I’ve gained everything.”

“I was single. I was pregnant. And, I didn’t know what to do. People around me were telling me to abort.” But Samaria hit the internet looking for someone to help her with her pregnancy. “The health center welcomed me, educated me and encouraged me all the way through my pregnancy. After I was married and found out I was pregnant again, my husband said, “I don’t know where we can go, and I said, ‘I do!’”

Curtis and Samaria have battled joblessness and homelessness, but have found support and genuine encouragement through the various Earn While You Learn programs offered at the health center. Curtis shared, “It doesn’t matter if we have to take public transportation to get here with our little girls in tow. We know on Wednesday nights this is the place we want to be! It’s not just all the baby stuff we earn; it’s the way you treat us even when we lost hope. We know you love us.”

Worried. Anxious. Undecided . All these words described LaTisha as she “googled” to find a place where she could talk to someone about her unplanned pregnancy. She had miscarried the year before and felt there was no way she could go through that emotional turmoil again. Even though she and Chris had been in a committed relationship for over 6 years, LaTisha wasn’t comfortable with the possibility of another pregnancy. Through social media she found the Uptown Women’s Center and called for an appointment.

Chris was worried about this possible pregnancy, too. He was concerned for LaTisha and her anxiousness and wondered what they should do if they found she was pregnant again. So he was pleasantly surprised when they walked through the door of the Uptown Women’s Center and found such a warm environment and kind staff who was as concerned about the pregnancy as they were.

LaTisha soon was relaxed as she was introduced to the many services available to her. “They were all so helpful! They make you feel comfortable and told me I could call anytime with questions.” She was given all the information she wanted regarding prenatal development, healthy pregnancy and a sonogram that confirmed she had a viable pregnancy with a baby whose heart was beating just as it should. And, although they were not first-time parents, Chris and LaTisha learned about the educational prenatal and parenting classes that they could participate in at our Downtown location.

What intrigued both Chris and LaTisha were the classes offered for fathers-to-be. LaTisha secretly hoped that Chris would pick up some tips so he would be more involved, while Chris hoped if they both attended classes that LaTisha would be less anxious about the pregnancy. God must have surely been smiling as He heard the desires of each of their hearts — for each other!

“I really enjoyed the classes. I really went because I wanted my husband to go, but I learned a lot!” In fact, LaTisha shared just one month after their son was born, “The information about post-partum was really helpful. I’m applying what I learned right now.”

Having been raised without a father in his life, Chris recognized he might have a few things to learn and was glad to find the men’s class was a good place for open discussion about “guy stuff” that helped him feel more confident not only about parenting a newborn, but also in having a respectful, healthy relationship with LaTisha. “They put me on point,” explained Chris. “They helped me see what’s important in taking care of my family.”

As the weeks of classes progressed Chris had one special night when he made a big decision. “I felt like it was right thing to trust Jesus with my life and my family.” And, what’s the result a few months down the road? Chris shared, “I don’t worry about the petty stuff anymore. I’m concentrating on taking care of business, taking care of my family. We’ve learned how to support each other.”

And, LaTisha is very happy in the way their relationship has improved with each other and as parents. “Chris is so helpful now because he’s confident about taking care of an infant. Our relationship has improved because he learned how to communicate with me and support me.”

Chris and LaTisha gladly welcomed 8 pound, 10 ounce Vavion Demetric into their family. What a joy it has been for the staff at Involved for Life to invest eight months in helping Chris and LaTisha to move from being fearful to feeling fantastic as parents of their new son!

Thank You! Thank you! Words can not express how awesome you all are and were to me during my pregnancy. I was already blessed with my son Jordan and daughter Jakhaia, but then I found out I was due an additional two bundles of joy. My thoughts and mind went into overdrive, and I could not figure what direction and way to go.

However, once I came to your office and talked with someone, your guidance and counseling helped me make it through. You helped me so very much in getting ready for the boys, thank you doesn’t seem enough. At the time, the thought of me changing one diaper scared me – two was just too overwhelming.

We appreciate the baby shower that was given as well as all of the many gifts that were bestowed upon us during this time. Jahlyn weighed 6 lbs and 14 ozs and Jahdyn weighed 6 lbs and 7 ozs. The boys are doing great! One is a little quiet and the other makes a little outspoken. I have made the adjustment to always be prepared with two bottles instead of one.

I could not have made the changes as well as I did without the Lord and the precious angels of the health center to help guide me along the way. Once again, thank you so very much for making a difference in the lives of myself as well as the twin boys Jahlyn and Jahdyn, along with Jordan and Jakhaia, who have become good helpers.

We take our hats off to wish you all of God’s blessings as you shape and mentor other young women of this day and time.

When the nurse performed the ultrasound, the scan showed a very small developing preborn that was just six weeks old. Then the baby’s heartbeat came up on the screen, and the tears began to flood down her face. Joy found herself thinking, “This is a life. There’s a heartbeat,
so it’s a life, a person, a human being.”

Joy shared, “I was broken before God. I wondered if I was capable of parenting.” She confessed, “I could feel God, but I was still battling in wanting to not be pregnant.” Later, Joy even went to an abortion clinic, but “just couldn’t go through with it.” She decided, “This is God’s child,” and began to make real changes in her life by going to church and getting into God’s word. She attended prenatal classes and enjoyed the love and support she experienced.

Precious Payten Marie entered this world. Joy says she is so grateful for the gift of Payten. “She saved me by changing my lifestyle. She’s changed my perspective. She’s helped me develop a tremendous respect for my mom and the way she raised me. She’s helped me renew my broken relationship with my sister.”

Joy added, “I want every woman to know they should come to this place – even if they’re terrified – to get the support they need when trying to make this decision when you find you’re pregnant and don’t want to be. You need their love and support they provide. Choose life!”

“Looking for Love in All the Wrong Places” – Tiffany’s Story

The lines from this old country song express a sentiment that is understood by many of us. And, while this expression represents the search of many of our clients, for one in particular, this search seemed almost never ending.

Tiffany came to the health center scared, confused and concerned about her health. She was worried about being pregnant. At age 18, Tiffany had experienced the devastating effects of her parents’ divorce. The pain of the break up of her family left Tiffany with a fierce search for security, significance, and finally, unconditional love.

As a teenager Tiffany was drawn into easily acceptable friendships that were mostly drug and sex related. These so-called friendships always found Tiffany as the giver of herself and as a receiver of the world’s answers for pain – addictions and a broken heart. After coming to the health center, Tiffany now says, “I love the Lord and He loves me”; and, as He is a giver of all good gifts, “He gave me my precious baby boy.” “As I express my love for the Lord and my child, I want to be the right kind of mother and a good Christian example for him to follow.”