They came from all walks of life to help. Contractors, service men and college students were among those who put up drywall, installed cabinetry, and painted walls. Contributors raised funds by filling baby bottles with coins in a “Baby Bottle Boomerang” fundraiser. An interior designer even donated time to create the warm and welcoming atmosphere that greets clients as they walk in the new front doors. The Pregnancy Resource Center of San Clemente officially opened its new doors this April, the culmination of a community effort to empower women facing an unplanned pregnancy by equipping them with information and loving support.
The San Clemente Pregnancy Resource Center was founded as the vision of a medical doctor confronting crisis pregnancy situations in her daily practice, and it first developed in a room inside of the doctor’s medical office. When office space next to her practice became available, the dream of a pregnancy center became a reality. The faith-based nonprofit organization is volunteer-based and offers help for women in crisis, including free pregnancy tests, free ultrasound exams in San Clemente, and free counseling on topics ranging from sexually transmitted diseases, pregnancy prevention, adoption placement and parenting, to abortion risks and procedures. The Center also offers abortion recovery support groups.
Abortion affects people of all social backgrounds and all walks of life, and well over a million abortion procedures occur every year. “Abortion is not an eraser,” Executive Director Jane Wahl notes, and the aftermath of abortion affects lives for years. Both men and women can turn to the center for help. Client confidentiality is key, and respect for the Center’s clients is paramount. “We have to earn the right to talk to them about their options,” Wahl declares. She sees women come to the center confused, frightened, and often desperate. They find compassion, respect, and hope for the future there.
The San Clemente Pregnancy Resource Center is open Monday–Wednesday, 10 a.m.–4 p.m.; Thursday, 1 p.m.–7 p.m. It is located at 1450 N. El Camino Real, Suite B, San Clemente, California. Their website is www.sanclementepregnancy.com.
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