SPRING HILL — Once Jeanne Whitely talks to clients regarding the advice readily available to them at Foundations of Life Pregnancy Focus and Adoption Services, they regularly tell her, “I didn’t understand you were here.”
Whitely hopes an open house, inviting people to tour the Catholic Charities facility on Forest Oaks Boulevard, will certainly adjustment that.
“Unfortunately, we’re a secret in our county, and we attempt not to be,” Whitely said.
The Focus is among 5 pregnancy and adoption ministries established in west-central Florida under the supervision of the Diocese of St. Petersburg. Its motto: Providing advice and producing hope.
Whitely joined the ministry in 2011 as a part-time employee and regarding a year later became complete time, eventually accepting the placement of manager. A placement for a part-time regimen specialist is currently vacant.
About four years ago, the ministry required a lot more room, so along with the advice of neighborhood Knights of Columbus groups, it was moved to its current location, allowing it to double its capacity.
“It’s been unbelievable to watch the growth,” Whitely said. “It’s been overwhelming. It’s been a blessing to allow people understand they don’t have to feel enjoy they’re alone.”
The public is invited to the open home on Aug. 1 to observe exactly what the ministry offers its clients, including a dedicated room for ultrasounds performed weekly by a nurse and a baby boutique where supplies are kept for clients. Visitors will certainly additionally discover regarding the solutions available, such as the “Earn While You Learn” DVD collection that is used in counseling.
The ministry offers free pregnancy testing, restricted ultrasounds, education on pregnancy symptoms and stages, sustain groups, prenatal care, maternity and infant supplies, confidential counseling on pregnancy, abortion replacements and postabortive services, adoption planning, counseling for prospective fathers and connections to added resources.
Last year, the ministry offered 366 clients along with a lot more compared to 1,100 client visits. This year, Whitely expects there will certainly be regarding 400 clients.
“We actually begin at the start along with a pregnancy test, then clients are eligible to join our mentoring program,” Whitely explained. “They can easily join from the start of pregnancy and remain in it until their baby’s very first birthday.”
There are monthly appointments for clients.
Clients don’t have actually to be of the Catholic faith.
“We don’t discriminate for anything. Anybody can easily come,” Whitely said. “We actually observe a lot of clients — some teen moms, several women in their 20s and 30s, married couples, solitary people, some people having economic stress. That’s that we’re below to serve.”
Help is constantly welcome at the Focus in the means of volunteers, mentors and sponsors. Donations can easily be monetary or in the means of brand-new or gently used baby supplies for the boutique.
Whitely is readily available to speak regarding the ministry to churches and organizations that have actually an interest.
Before start her job along with Foundations of Life, Whitely, 48, was a stay-at-house homeschool mom. Once her son went off to college, she was all set for something brand-new and challenging.
“I actually feel fortunate to be a section of this ministry,” she said. “Simply heading to the adjustment in a client that comes in worried regarding an unexpected pregnancy Once we tell them that we’re below to advice and that it’s seeing be okay — to observe the softening in them is pretty rewarding.”
