Compassion Pregnancy Center Of Northeast Michigan

OPTIONS PREGNANCY CENTER (OPTIONS) HAS BEEN HELPING WOMEN AND THEIR PARTNERS WHO ARE FACING UNEXPECTED PREGNANCIES AND RELATED ISSUES VIA A HOTLINE SINCE 1991. IN 2014, THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOGNIZED THE NEED TO OFFER MORE TO OUR CLIENTS AND OPENED AN OFFICE ON W. WASHINGTON STREET IN ALPENA. WE OUTGREW THAT SPACE AND MOVED TO 526 W CHISHOLM STREET IN ALPENA. WE CONTINUE TO ADJUST OUR PROGRAMS TO THE NEEDS THAT ARISE, CAREFULLY AVOIDING DUPLICATION OF SERVICES THAT ARE ALREADY IN OUR COMMUNITY. WE REALIZED THAT FOR EVERY WOMAN FACING AN UNEXPECTED PREGNANCY, THERE WAS A PARTNER THAT MAY NEED SUPPORT AS WELL. WE ALSO BEGAN THE FIRST EVER POST ABORTIVE SUPPORT GROUPS IN OUR AREA, ONE FOR WOMEN AND ONE FOR MEN. WE HAVE OFFERED NUTRITIONAL CLASSES, PARENTING SUPPORTS, CONNECTION TO LIKE-MINDED COMMUNITY RESOURCES, SUCH AS THE CHILDREN'S CLOSET AND BABY PANTRY OF ALPENA. WE HAVE WORKED TO CONNECT OUR CLIENTS IN NEED OF HOUSING OUR EMPLOYMENT WITH AGENCIES BETTER SUITED FOR THOSE TASKS. WE OFFER MISCARRIAGE AND INFANT LOSS SUPPORT TO THOSE IN OUR COMMUNITY WHO HAVE LOST A CHILD. WE ARE WORKING TO SECURE A LARGER SPACE AND HIRE A PART TIME NURSE AS WE MOVE FORWARD TOWARDS THE PURCHASE OF AN ULTRASOUND SO THAT WE MAY OFFER ADDITIONAL SERVICES TO OUR CLIENTS AT NO COST. WE HAVE REFERRAL SERVICES TO PHYSICIANS IN OUR AREA AND HELP CONNECT CLIENTS TO RESOURCES SOME ARE AFRAID TO SEEK OUT ON THEIR OWN. WE CONSIDER OURSELVES A "SPOKE IN THE LARGER WHEEL" TO HELP OTHERS, AS WE REALIZE WE CANNOT DO THIS BY OURSELVES. THUS, WE PARTNER WITH AGENCIES TO MEET AS MANY OF THE NEEDS FOR A CLIENT AS POSSIBLE. OPTIONS IS A VOLUNTEER ORGANIZATION WITH ONLY THE CENTER DIRECTOR RECEIVING A MINIMAL SALARY. WE RECRUIT AND TRAIN VOLUNTEERS FROM OUR COMMUNITY TO HELP WITH OUR MISSION OF ENCOURAGING, EDUCATING AND EMPOWERING THOSE EXPERIENCING AN UNEXPECTED PREGNANCY AND RELATED ISSUES.