As I write this, my son lies next to me in his bassinet, just 13 days old. A first-time mom, I learned over the past nine months just how much preparation is necessary for a family to welcome a new and precious, little life into their world. There have been countless moments when I’ve been overwhelmed with gratitude for all the love and support shown to my husband and me during this transition—not only from our families and people closest to us, but also from complete strangers, whether at the grocery store or in the office.

My pregnancy made me a better client advocate at Pregnancy Center Plus, more empathetic to the needs and feelings of the women who walk through our doors. In addition to the physiological and psychological changes every woman undergoes in early pregnancy, many women find themselves with little to no support from their child’s father or communities. In my experience, these women don’t consider abortion because they feel it’s the best option, but because they feel it’s their only option.

Pregnancy Center Plus and the other 30+ pregnancy resource centers throughout the Archdiocese of Cincinnati aim to make abortion unthinkable by offering women and families access to resources to support them during times of instability. In doing so, local pregnancy resource centers empower families, giving them confidence to choose the gift of life. Pregnancy Center Plus strives to be a place of hope for pregnant women who feel alone—paralyzed by the decision to love or abandon the life inside them.

After operating for 40 years as Pregnancy Center East, last year the Oakley-based pregnancy resource center announced a name change. Pregnancy Center Plus (PCPlus) better embodies the Center’s mission in a Post-Roe America, including the additional services it continues to introduce to the community. At the pandemic’s height, PCPlus purchased and moved into a two-story building on Madison Road, with a vision to build a village of support for women in Cincinnati who faced uncertainty during surprise pregnancies. Occupying the first level, PCPlus offers pregnancy tests, STI tests, ultrasounds, adoption services with Adoption Professionals LLC, prenatal appointments via telehealth, material assistance (including but not limited to diapers, wipes, formula, infant and toddler clothing, strollers, car seats and cribs), parenting classes, pre- and post-natal nutrition support and men’s mentoring services.

Early in 2024, PCPlus began renovating the building’s lower level to welcome strategic partners who will offer additional support and services to PCPlus clients. The Center plans to serve as a one-stop shop, providing women and families with appropriate resources for every circumstance, from the first positive pregnancy test, to their child’s first birthday and beyond. PCPlus continues turning this vision into reality.

Since the passage of Issue 1, our community needs PCPlus now more than ever. To learn more about how you can get involved, please visit SupportPCPlus.org and consider joining us for our annual Banquet for Life on Thursday, April 11.

This article appeared in the March 2024 edition of The Catholic Telegraph Magazine. For your complimentary subscription, click here