When you think of a foundation, you likely think of the lowest level of a building, typically below ground level, and its ability to bear a heavy load. Today, I'd like to relate the word foundation to the beginnings of one's life. I first want to acknowledge the impactful power of community service and how it changes lives. For the past year, Restoring Hope's team of business office personnel have taken it upon themselves to make monthly donations to build up a quarterly budget fund. In addition, Restoring Hope as an agency also contributes to this community service project to allow our team to make an even more significant impact. Together, the business office discusses dire needs in their communities, brainstorms ideas, votes on, and allocates a set amount of funds towards a cause. So far this year, the business office has managed to assist the Willow Springs School with children's overdue lunch balances, as well as the assembling of snack drawstring bags for 27 pre-selected Junction Hill and Glenwood Elementary children, which supplied them with food between the end of the school year and the start of summer school. Although these numbers may seem low or relatively insignificant - to the recipients, they are impactful. Not only that, but when others see how something so small can help even one child or person in need, it inspires them to do more for others themselves. And that's really what this blog post is all about—restoring hope one relationship at a time.
For many of us, when we know better, we do better. That is why education plays a pivotal role in not only our confidence but also our efficacy, ability, and capacity. When we receive the support we need or even the support we didn't know we needed, it can change our lives forever. Finally, when love comes in, we feel we belong, and our lives seem more purposeful. These are the Life-Affirming principles upon which the Pregnancy Resource Center of West Plains has built its foundation - Love, Support, and Education. In truth, Restoring Hope very closely relates to these foundational principles. This is also why the Restoring Hope business office team has chosen them as their third-quarter community service project selection.
The Pregnancy Resouce Center of West Plains is a non-profit, tax-exempt charitable organization that provides no-cost pregnancy support resources for any woman who thinks she might be pregnant, mommy groups, fatherhood programs, loss support groups, post-abortion support, educational classes, adoption information/referrals, as well as community referrals for things such as housing, utilities, food resources, counseling, mental health services, and more! Pregnancy Resource Centers offer a touchpoint for pregnant women who may not know where to go for services or where to begin. Since opening its doors in October 2022, PRC of West Plains has helped 411 individuals. More recently, they have started offering services to their surrounding communities through pop-up events. Mountain View was the first town to begin benefiting from a pop-up event regularly held on the first Thursday of each month at the Community Center. While there, the PRC team and volunteers provide:
Free pregnancy tests.
A portable ultrasound machine.
Any other resources offered at the West Plains location.
The Pregnancy Resouce Center plans to begin offering these pop-up events at the First Baptist Church in Alton on the second Thursday of each month, which is coming soon. As many would translate expansion into new areas as a sign of growth, the PRC feels the financial pressure of continuing these events as they rely on donations to keep up with the demand of needed items.
The items the Restoring Hope business office team was fortunate enough to donate were:
Diapers
Wipes
Caseys Gas Cards ($10/each)
12-18 months clothes
Diapers Size 6
Pull Ups 2T-5T
Welches Fruit Snacks
10 White Hand Towels
Lysol Wipes
Cases of Bottled Water
Kleenexes
Large Linen Laundry Bag x 1
Latex Free Gloves
The Pregnancy Resource Center requested many of these items to be used during their upcoming pop-up event in Mountain View, MO. Other items are frequently provided items that are given out as needed. Each year, the Pregnancy Resource Center of West Plains hosts a banquet that makes up a considerable portion of their yearly operating budget to keep their doors open. On this particular night, supporters are updated on the impact of giving on their organization and the individuals utilizing its services. This, their 3rd annual fundraising banquet, is a free, invitation-only, and informal fundraising event for adults. Attendees will receive a catered dinner, hear how God is working through the Pregnancy Resource Center, and will be given the opportunity to continue financially supporting the ministry. Restoring Hope also helped to sponsor this event, which will aid the PRC for the coming year.
As I stated in the infamous line above, we do better when we know better. I think about how many of the individuals Restoring Hope supports came from broken and mentally, spiritually, physically, and financially unhealthy homes who, if they had been given the love, support, and education truly needed to be healthy parents and caregivers, our clients may not have needed our services today, nor would they have suffered the abuse and neglect some unfortunately did. Resources that the Pregnancy Resources Center of West Plains provides help encourage and incentivize education and self-reliance. So many expectant mothers who come into the Pregnancy Resource Center are told, "You can do this!" And that they are there to help them. Sometimes, it takes someone else believing in us to help us achieve what we thought wasunachievable. I see this time and time again from the caregivers who provide support and a loving home to our individuals. Individuals go on to live contributative lives, carrying within themselves purpose, passion, and hope for brighter days ahead. One of the incentivization tactics that has proven to increase educational training attendance has been the "Earn As You Learn" program that the PRC of West Plains offers. Parents can earn points while they sit in and gain training on the following topics:
Pregnancy
Labor & Delivery
Infant Care
Nutrition
Infant Bonding
Developmental Milestones
Parenting Strategies
Medical Care & Safety
Life Skills
And Much More!
At the PRC of West Plains, parents can earn points that can be spent in the PRC boutique. Donated items are given as needs are expressed by parents and at no cost; however, boutique items are brand new and help incentive parents to attend training that will help them in the parenting journey ahead of them and give them something fun to look forward to as they get to shop for new items for their baby(s)/children. Parents can earn Baby Boutique Points by completing the following:
• Attend in-person or online classes
• Attend OB appointments & milestone doctor appointments
• Attend school/GED classes
• Attend scheduled WIC appointments
• Sign up for Parents as Teachers
• Like/Follow us on Facebook and Instagram
• Both parents present for appointments
• Complete educational classes
The PRC of West Plains Boutique is open every Wednesday from 9 to 11 a.m. and again from 1 to 3 p.m. or by appointment. Parents can Click here to schedule their visit. PRC of West Plains states that parents should please keep in mind that items on these lists become available as they are received from donors. Because of this, they can't guarantee the availability of any one item, but they want to help you find everything you need! Points are also subject to change due to the same variation in available donated items. After your baby is born, they have a special gift for you both. The list of items to be regularly found in the boutique consists of the following:
Baby Crib
Car Seat
Stroller
Bassinet
Crib Mattress
Baby Swing
Baby Clothing
Baby Blankets
Maternity Clothing
Many More! Items change all the time!
Smaller items currently, the Pregnancy Resource Center is in need of are:
To get more involved and to stay up to date on the needs of the Pregnancy Resource Center of West Plains, follow and find them at the following:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/prcofwestplains
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/prcofwestplains
Call at: 417-204-4407
Email: info@prcofwestplains.org
It feels only natural to want to help parents who may feel lost but are willing to work to provide a better life for their baby and/or children. Our youth begin and journey through their lives with a more robust and enduring foundation when parents are healthy, happy, educated, supported, and loved and teach their children these principles as well. We are proud to support the Pregnancy Resource Center of West Plains. We hope they continue receiving more than enough donations to help our communities grow stronger, healthier, happier, and more confident children who will lead our communities better than we could do ourselves!
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