Pregnancy Center schedules Awareness Day activities to celebrate first year in operation

Maricopa’s own New Life Pregnancy Center opened its doors for the first time just a little over one year ago. The center, open every Tuesday from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m., is staffed by Director Lucy Kelly and volunteer counselors who provide free pregnancy testing and counseling for clients.

Both Kelly and the counselors, who have gone through training in child development and communication, assist clients with finding community resources, including food, shelter, physicians, churches and childbirth classes. Additionally, they provide material items like diapers, formula and baby clothing.

“We are here to extend our help to anyone in need,” says Kelly. “We are here to enfold them with care and compassion. Whether you have a planned or unplanned pregnancy, we will present you with the available options. Whatever your choice, we are here for you; we are to help, not to make choices for you.”

The center, serving Maricopa residents, has been open just over one year.

The center’s staff works diligently to amass contributions for donation. They are always grateful for items like baby bottles, diapers, maternity and baby clothes, baby food and baby furniture. Maricopa residents can hold diaper drives or even baby showers in their own homes, donating the “gifts” to the center. Some residents knit booties, caps and blankets, which are given to new mothers for their offspring.

The First Baptist Church of Maricopa, which houses the center at 18705 North John Wayne Parkway, is a supporter. Recently Community of Hope church made and donated baby quilts to the center (see related story). The Baby Boomerang fundraiser is offered to churches or individuals, who receive baby bottles to fill with loose change.

Director Lucy Kelly with one of the Baby Boomerand bottles for donations.

Fundraising is an ongoing effort, but, according to Kelly, “Our real goal is to provide honest, truthful information in order for young women to make healthy life choices for themselves and their babies. This is my passion and my love, she added.”

In order to celebrate the first year of its operation, the center will be giving tours and holding an Awareness Day on Saturday, April 8. Organizer Karen Friess, of Lance Lane’s State Farm Agency, is planning an Easter Egg hunt for the children right at 10 a.m. “We will be having a coloring contest, games and food as well as a 50/50 raffle (you do not need to be present to win) along with other prizes,” noted Friess. “Everything will be free to the public except the food. We are selling barbeque sandwiches to raise money for the center.”

“We have great sponsors,” she added. “Without them this event would not be possible.” To date those sponsors include:

Maricopa Mountain Plumbing
Lance Lane’s State Farm Agency
Wells Fargo Bank
Maricopa Back and Neck Center
Community of Hope Church
Red Bag It
Maricopa Chamber of Commerce

“Bring the whole family out for a great, fun-filled day,” invites Friess. “There will be lots of activities for everyone.”

For additional information about the center, contact Kelly at (520) 568-0612, or visit the program’s website.