During the past 17 years, Compassion Pregnancy Services in
Hollister has confidentially helped more than 7,200 young
women.
During the past 17 years, Compassion Pregnancy Services in Hollister has confidentially helped more than 7,200 young women. Without a single penny from the government, this nonprofit organization, which has a Christian staff, provides love and support for young women, while promoting abstinence and alternatives to abortion.
Through the support of the community, the organization recently moved from the basement of Hazel Hawkins Hospital to the corner of Fifth and West streets. It provides free pregnancy testing, pregnancy education and counseling and referral. Two-thirds of the center’s budget comes from fund raising, and the rest is through donations from supportive individuals and businesses in the area. The center also provides young mothers with clothing, formula, blankets and other accessories, which are donated by the community and other service organizations. Last month, 86 clients were helped through the center’s services.
Board member Lou Ann Sackett teaches second grade at Sunnyslope School, and said the services are an important asset to the community.
“Being a teacher, my parents have many different needs,” she said. “It’s nice to know if one of them needs formula for a baby or has a teen daughter who is in some trouble, I can refer them here.”
Executive Director Angie Roland said part of the work Compassion Pregnancy Services does is try to prevent the problem before it happens. Their Prevention Team travels to Hollister schools and teaches abstinence education on a regular basis.
“We really try to get them to think beyond the moment and look at their lifestyle,” she said. “Just last month the team reached 140 students.”
Roland said the clientele of the center is diverse, which creates a variety of needs.
“I have worked with everyone from a 13-year-old who thinks she may be pregnant, to a grandmother who needed clothes for her grandchildren she’s looking after,” she said.
When they’re not helping young mothers or trying to educate potential young mothers, the staff strives to give support to those who aren’t getting it otherwise.
“Sometimes when a gal finds out she is pregnant, she gets no support from her boyfriend or her parents,” Roland said. “We hope that with the love and support of our staff she will realize she’s not alone, and she can get through the pregnancy and make things work.”
Along with the new facility, Compassion Pregnancy Services is hoping to expand its services in the next few years. They recently brought on a nurse and plans to offer medical services soon. Roland said the center hopes to provide nurse consultations and ultrasounds.
Registered Nurse Ann Marie Oakeson joined the Compassion staff in November. With 23 years of experience as a labor and delivery nurse, Oakeson said she believes it’s important to have all the aspects of the center, but especially the education.
“When a young women is in the hospital pregnant it’s a little late,” she said. “This is an important issue and it’s important for the girls to learn before they get to the hospital that the problem won’t occur if they learn how to prevent it.”
Elsy Johnson volunteers as a liaison for the Spanish-speaking clients. She said a lot of the girls who come in are sexually active, but they don’t know what they’re getting themselves into.
“My experience with the girls is that it’s all about what their friends are doing and stresses from home.” she said.
Spanish Liaison Yolanda Balencia said supporting and educating their clients is the top priority.
“We really want to make sure the girls know this is a place to come for information and counseling,” she said.
Women seeking “caring
solutions” can visit the clinic Monday through Thursday from noon to 4:30 p.m. For more information, call 637-4020.
