A distraught young grandmother came into the Community Pregnancy Center in Barberton one morning in April holding a beautiful blonde blue-eyed year-old boy.

She said, "I am desperate. My son’s wife dumped the baby on me with just the clothes he has on, not even shoes, and left the state. I have nothing for him, and my son is in the Army in Iraq."

She had come to the right place. A counselor for the center took her
upstairs and gave her the clothes she needed, plus a car seat, diapers, toys, and a warm blanket for the little boy. She also prayed with the grandmother, asking God’s help for her in her situation.

Pat Shea, who founded the center in May of 1989 with Sylvia Slifko, said they began the ministry because there wasn’t another pregnancy center in this area that could help as help was needed, and one of the results was that many babies were being aborted.

"Our ministry is a total charity organization. You don’t have to do anything to
get help. It is the only community pregnancy center that supports the teaching of the Catholic Church. It allows Catholics a place to see God working, and to be the hands and feet of Christ.

"We see people from a five-county area and help over 1,200 mothers a year. Volunteers are needed and there is something for everyone to do — reception, sorting clothes, picking up and repairing baby furniture to counseling. The center accepts donations of cash and new or slightly used clothing and equipment.

One of the earliest volunteers, Helen Smith of Sacred Heart Church, said she began counseling twelve and a half years ago. "I enjoy the people who work here. It is all God-related. You are kind of glad to give up your time because everything you do is for the Lord." She spoke of a grandmother she advised that day whose daughter in prison had just given birth to twins and has two other children. The grandmother will have to care for all four. Smith gave her a crib and other needed items and advised here, "God doesn’t give you more than you can handle."

Helen has involved her whole family in the center’s work. Husband Bob helps with the phones and computers. Son Mark with friends recently built shelves in three rooms where clothes are stored and with his wife, Marty landscaped the property. In addition, Marty does purchasing for the center.

Another Sacred Heart counselor, Janet Gardner, recalls volunteering when the center was a store-front at the Magic City Shopping Center. "We sat sometimes for hours waiting for clients to come in." Now, the center is booked solidly during the 21 hours it is open each week, with a three-week waiting period for an appointment. (In emergencies diapers and formula are given on request.) Histories of the hundreds of clients are kept in files and every visit is recorded.

Among the receptionists who answer the phone and greet the clients are Sacred Heart parishioners Jenny Wright and Joan Brannigan. Ruth Wagner, a parishioner, and Pat Campbell Hopkins, formerly of Sacred Heart, are counselors. Ruth's husband, Mel, helps out in various ways as needed. The center offers free pregnancy testing, Doppler readings, new or gently used clothing for children, from preemies to sizes 10 or 12, diapers, formula, cribs and mattresses, strollers, car seats, and all other types of baby equipment. Most of these goods are donated, and two men volunteer to check over all donated equipment and fix those that can be safely used. Sally Straiton and Carol Foote of Sacred Heart are among several women who sort the donations and arrange them so the mothers can pick out what they need.
Volunteers usually work two or three hours once a week. One remarked that she has learned to appreciate everything she and her family enjoy after hearing the difficult lives the clients face. Clients’ ages range from 13 to grandmothers.

On her first appointment the new client meets with a counselor who asks about her situation and gives her advice and information pertinent to her needs. After a baby is born, each new mother receives a 60-piece layette full of the essential clothes and items for the baby’s first months. About 100 layettes were given out last year.

In December, Shari Krunich of Sacred Heart set up the Christmas Room where the mothers can select clothes, books and toys for their children. Over 70 families were assisted through this room or adoption by generous donors. Krunich also took baby bottles to the student council of Sacred Heart School, and students filled them with $2150. earned from odd jobs during Lent.

The center has just hired a new part-time Executive Director/Office Manager, Mary Agnes Shaffer, and a part-time fund raiser, Diane Darner. These are the only paid positions. Funding comes from donations and grants. Last year’s income was $62,575. Shea emphasized, "It is of the utmost importance to us to help the clients be responsible, functioning citizens. We have success stories, graduates from college, maintaining jobs, choosing to be chaste."

Another was a pregnant woman planning an abortion who decided to give birth after hearing the baby's heartbeat in a Doppler procedure at the center.

" There‘s something for everyone to do here," continued Shea. "Bishop Pilla is promoting the Church in the City and A Vibrant Parish Life, and helping the Community Pregnancy Center is a perfect way to support these goals by donating our time and resources."

The Community Pregnancy Center is located at 1058 Wooster Road West in Barberton in a large yellow frame house which once was a doctor’s office. Its phone number is (330) 825-1900. Hours are 11 a.m.-4 p.m. on Monday; 1-4 p.m. Tuesday and 6-8 p.m. the last Tuesday of the month; Closed on Wednesday; noon to 4 p.m. Thursday; noon to 2:30 p.m. Friday; noon to 2 p.m. first Saturday and 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m. the last Saturday of the month.

— JOAN BRANNIGAN

Photo at right:  Carol Foote, Helen Smith

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