Volunteer: Hannah Pregnancy center provides wide range of services

Photo by Bradly Gill
Kelly Word of Hannah Pregnancy Resource Center speaks to the Camden Lions Club.
Photo by Bradly Gill Kelly Word of Hannah Pregnancy Resource Center speaks to the Camden Lions Club.

According to a study from the New England Journal of Medicine, in 2011, nearly half (45%, or 2.8 million) of the 6.1 million pregnancies in the United States were unintended.

Kelly Word, a volunteer for Hannah Pregnancy Resource Center, shared some of the services her organization provides to women in South Arkansas who become or are likely to become pregnant.

"Our mission is communicating Christ's love by providing life affirming services for those facing pregnancy decisions, " Word said, "while upholding Biblical standards for sexual integrity and reducing at-risk behaviors by encouraging parenting and life skills."

The center started as the South Arkansas Pregnancy Caring Center in 2000 in El Dorado, and later added centers in Magnolia and Camden in 2004.

It also underwent a name change and became the Hannah Pregnancy Resources Center, a 501c(3) nonprofit.

"All of our services are free, and some of the services that we provide are pregnancy tests, limited ultrasounds, abstinence until marriage education as the best choice and healthiest lifestyle, confidential options and counseling. We provide factual information regarding parenting, adoption and abortion. There is post-abortive support, parenting and life skill classes, adoption referral and support and then material needs for their baby. And then also we do read reentry classes for the Union County jail and Ouchita County jail now," she said.

In addition to the re-entry classes, the center provides a jail ministry.

"So 'The New Hope,' that is our jail ministry and it is based on Jeremiah 29:11 that says, 'For I know the things I have for you, says the Lord, to give you a future and a hope not to harm you,' and so this program started last year to incarcerated women in the Union County jail. And also now the Ouachita County Jail, " Word said.

The center also provides parenting education classes that focus on prenatal nutrition, labor and delivery, safe sleep, care seat safety, child health, toddler years and discipline.

Word said that all three locations are currently accepting volunteers and donations.

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