elimChristianFellowship

For women caught in a pregnancy crisis, support is available right here in Augusta and also in Waterville. Our church treasurer, Pat Bonney, has operated the Central Maine Pregnancy Support Center in Augusta for fifteen years. She also runs a similar Center in Waterville. The Centers, affiliated with CareNet, a nationwide network of pregnancy centers, offer help to women who are pregnant or have a child under the age of three.

Pat said it was the kindness of Dennis Keller that helped the Center get started. He not only donated space in the basement of his State Farm office on Bangor Street but he provided needed renovations and pays the utilities.

In 2008, the Centers performed 44 pregnancy tests, and served 125 new clients through 953 client visits. They supply clothing for babies and mothers, bed clothes, bottles, safety items, diapers. In addition to needed clothing and supplies, the Centers also provide Biblically based parenting classes, Single Mom’s Support Groups, and Post Abortion classes and counseling. Clothing and supplies are offered free the first time but after that the girls have to earn Mommy Money. They receive Mommy Money for attending a class, bringing in a friend who needs help, or reading an instructional book.

A local church has recently donated an “Earn (Mommy Money) While You Learn” course with DVDs and notebooks. The course contains 9 modules, which cover subjects from conception through potty training, and include discipline, and bonding with your child. Pat would also like to see the Center have an ultrasound machine. Statistics show that once a pregnant women sees her baby, she is much less likely to have an abortion. Dr. Dobson’s Focus on the Family has a program that provides this equipment. However, they require that the income of the center be at least $75,000/year in order to support a medical professional as operator. More monthly income is needed.

What are the other needs? Pat says that they always can use more volunteers and more diapers and baby hygiene products such as baby wash and diaper rash cream.

The Augusta Center at 30 Bangor Street is open from 2 pm to 5 pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Classes are held in the evenings. The Waterville Center, in the basement of 93 Main Street, (entrance next to the Maine Made Shop) is open Mondays and Wednesdays from 1 pm to 5 pm. If you can help financially or in any way, please call Pat Bonney at 622-7422.