Complimentary Story
“I think I’m pregnant!” To a married couple those words can be a source of great joy. To a young, unmarried woman those four words can be overwhelming. “I think I’m pregnant!”Women who suddenly find themselves with an unplanned, unwanted pregnancy often don’t know where to go or who to turn to. Fear, confusion, and the uncertainty of what lies ahead can overwhelm them. Decisions about what to do about the unplanned pregnancy are often done privately between the woman and her partner, or the woman herself. Abortion often looms large in such situations. Parents, friends, and organizations like Planned Parenthood, may advise the pregnant woman, but all too often they present abortion as the only solution.
Fortunately, organizations like the Hope Life Centers in Antigo and Wausau provide resources where women can learn about other options available to them before making this life-changing decision. A non-profit, non-denominational Christian organization, Hope Life Centers are made up of members from area churches dedicated to providing a safe and friendly environment where women can discover all the options available to them and their baby. “Keeping the baby or placing the baby through an adoption agency are alternatives to consider,” said Jack Hoogendyk, Executive Director of Hope. “Abortion is not the only solution to an unplanned pregnancy.”
The Hope Life Center in Wausau has 7 staff members and 10 volunteers who serve as advocates and work directly with clients. The Antigo Center has 5 workers. Since opening their doors in 2003 (Wausau) and 2011 (Antigo), the Hope Life Center has helped over 3,000 clients deal with the difficulty of an unplanned pregnancy. “We have provided some 20,000 services to these clients,” said Jack. “That includes STD and pregnancy tests, ultrasound tests, maternity and baby clothes, information on housing, medical needs, parenting programs and pre-natal care. If the pregnant woman is still in school we encourage her to continue her education while caring for her baby. Many schools offer special education programs to help the new mother with her schooling.” After considering all options it is up to the woman, her partner and her family to decide what to do about the unplanned pregnancy.
The client’s spiritual welfare is also important to the people at Hope. “We offer each client a Bible and help in finding a church, if they don’t have one,” said Jack. “Women who have had an abortion often have a need for spiritual healing. The body may heal after an abortion but not always the spirit.”
Each pregnant woman who comes to one of the Hope Life Centers is offered a full size, hand made patchwork quilt, along with a list of Scripture verses. “Clients are encouraged to wrap themselves in the quilt and imagine God’s arms wrapped around them,” explained Jack Hoogendyk. “We tell the client the quilt is made from a variety of left over material, probably from a blouse or dress and that our lives often resemble that quilt. Many of us have things from the past we would rather forget, mistakes we’ve made, wrong decisions, things we regret. But just like that patchwork quilt, we tell the client that God can take these things from our past and produce something that is beautiful and has a purpose, like that quilt.”
A new addition will soon be introduced to the Hope Life Center’s two locations allowing them to expand their services. “There are many women with needs who just can’t get to us for a variety of reasons,” said Jack. “We believe we could see many more clients if we can take our services to them. To do that we are adding a new Mobil Medical Vehicle that will have the same services we provide at our Antigo and Wausau locations.
Besides their many services to pregnant women, the staff at Hope Life Center welcome opportunities to talk with students about avoiding an unplanned pregnancy. “We have met with kids in Christian schools, youth groups and FCA Huddle groups that meet before school,” explained Jack. “We talk to them about integrity, making good choices, the physical, emotional and spiritual impact of their decisions and actions, on themselves and others. We remind them of what Mark Twain said, ‘The two most important days of your life are the day you were born and the day you figure out why.’ We tell them they are not here by chance, that their life has a purpose - make good decisions.” With recent requests to address students at Antigo and Merrill High Schools Jack is hopeful other schools will extend similar invitations.
Services offered at the Hope Life Centers are completely free. “We receive neither state nor federal aid.” said Jack. “Our funding comes strictly from the private sector.” The Annual Hope Life Center fund raising banquets provide the organization’s largest source of income. In addition, 65 churches in the Wausau and Antigo areas contribute from their missions budget or by encouraging their parishioners to fill plastic baby bottles with cash or checks to support the cause.
Two 2018 Hope Life Center fund raising banquets are planned for this April.
Wausau: April 24th at Stoney Creek Inn. 5:15 Doors Open; 6:00 Dinner. Cost: $40 per ticket or $300 for a table of 8.
Antigo: April 23rd at Peace Lutheran Church. 5:15 Doors Open; 6:00 Dinner. Cost: $30 per ticket or $225 for a table of 8.
For reservations call 715-470-1003 or e-mail at hopewi.org
What do clients think about the services they receive at the Hope Life Centers? Here are a few of their comments:
“Very comfortable setting.”
“It gives you an opportunity to honestly open up about your situation because you are talking to someone who does not personally know you (yet) or your family and is not judging you.”
“Hope has become my family.”
“The thing I like best is that you can actually talk to a person without feeling like you have done something wrong.”
Does the ultrasound provided influence a woman’s decision regarding her pregnancy? Here are two client replies:
“Now I know there is a living thing in me.”
“I will carry to term because I cannot take a life from someone as innocent as 8-9 weeks.”
In Matthew 15:12 Jesus said: “Love one another just as I have loved you.” At the Hope Life Centers in Wausau and Antigo listening, compassion and love are all part of their services.
