Pregnancy Resource Center Will Open In Columbia Next Month

For an unwed teenage girl to suddenly find out that she’s pregnant can be a pretty traumatic experience. And, it can also be quite stressful for a married mother with children to discover that she will be having another, unplanned child.
In a lot of instances, women faced with an unplanned pregnancy find themselves needing various types of assistance, and at times finding that needed help can be difficult.
Next month, though, this help will become more easily available in  Adair County, as the Agape House Pregnancy Resource Center will open its doors.
The center is being opened and operated by a local, nonprofit organization which was formed by a group of concerned citizens that recognized the need for such services.
The Rev. Joe Payne is the Executive Director of Agape House, and Stephanie Caldwell will serve as it’s director. Other board members are Kaneice Frost, Hilda Satterfield and Greg Troutt.
The mission statement of Agape House reads that it “provides assistance to all women faced with an unplanned pregnancy.
“As a Christ-center facility, we offer truthful council, and unconditional love while respecting the privacy of each and every client…”
Agape House, which will open on Apr. 18, is located at 312 Hurt Street (right beside Coffey’s Veterinary Center). Initially, it will be open on a limited basis – from 3 to 6 p.m. on Mondays, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Fridays and 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Saturdays – but the hours will be expanded as the need increases.
According to Director Stephanie Caldwell,  services that will be offered by Agape House will include:
•Free pregnancy testing
•Confidential counseling
•Prenatal/Parenting classes
•Abortion alternatives counseling
•Post abortion counseling
•Abstinence education
•Maternity clothing, baby supplies
•Referrals for community services, financial assistance, medical assistance, housing assistance, adoption assistance and food assistance
•A friend to listen and help you think through all your options
•Bible study classes
All services provided by Agape House are free. Clients will never be charged.
Caldwell said that the organizers of Agape House are anxious to get the center open.
“We’re really excited about it, as this is something that the community has been needing for a long time,” Caldwell stated.
“We wish there wasn’t a need out there for the type of programs we offer,” she continued. “But, we don’t live in a community where, when a woman becomes pregnant, she has all the support she needs. In today’s world, that’s not going to happen here, or anywhere else.”
Rev. Joe Payne, Executive Director of Agape House, said that he feels the center will offer services that will be very beneficial to the community.
“I don’t think the community realizes the problem we have with unplanned pregnancies, especially teen pregnancies,” Payne noted. “Nor do they realize the lack of resources available to help with this problem.
“Agape House will be able to provide a lot of assistance that hasn’t been available before to the community,” he continued.
Payne said that other counties in the area have similar pregnancy resource centers, and they have proven to be assets to the communities.
“This is going to be a wonderful thing for our community once it’s up and going,” he noted.
At the present time, Agape House is being fully supported by contributions from the community.
The center has need for financial contributions, or donations of items such as diapers, wipes, bottles, baby clothes, baby furniture, maternity clothes, etc. All donations are tax deductible.
The center is also seeking volunteers to serve as mentors, prayer partners, perform housekeeping and do general office work.
For more information about Agape House and its programs, or to donate items or your time, call 270-634-3556 or come by the house at 312 Hurt Street after it is open. All calls are strictly confidential.

 

Photo: MEMBERS OF the Board of Directors of Agape House Pregnancy Resource Center stand in front of the house at 312 Hurt Street where the center will open next month. Pictured are, from left: Front row: Greg Trout, Hilda Satterfield and Executive Director Joe Payne. Back row: Director Stephanie Caldwell and Kaniece Frost. (Photo by Paul B. Hayes)