MANSFIELD — Meeting people where they’re at has been one of Richland Pregnancy Services’ goals since its inception. Now, this goal has taken on the literal sense with the organization’s expansion of services into downtown Mansfield.
“Transportation has been a barrier for many of our clients, so we wanted to go where they are within walking distance,” explained Amanda Clark, executive director of Richland Pregnancy Services (RPS).
This intention led to a partnership between RPS and Crossroads City Center, the downtown outreach ministry center of Crossroads Church. Starting last July, Crossroads City Center offered use of its building at 29 N. Main St. to RPS, thus allowing RPS to expand its services beyond its main office at 1560 W. 4th St. and into downtown Mansfield.
“RPS has been a huge blessing to City Center and our community,” said Monica Christie, City Center program director.
“If we can make women feel supported, loved, and valued, we have done our job. RPS has come alongside us and together we have been able to reach our community in a better way than we could do alone.”
RPS offers a number of medical and support services, including pregnancy testing, parenting classes, mom-to-mom and dad-to-dad mentoring, STD testing and treatment, and post-abortion support—most of which are available at the downtown site.
Both of its locations feature a boutique that has baby and maternity clothes, formula, diapers, wipes, among other pregnancy and childcare products. It’s not unusual for clients to leave with an assortment of items.
“We send them out with laundry baskets full of supplies,” Clark said.
Every client who is both pregnant and single is gifted what’s called a “Love Box,” which was created by Embrace Grace, Inc. Each box contains stories from both a parenting mom and birth mom, a letter of hope, a journal with writing prompts encouraging her to be fearless, a ‘Best Gift Ever’ onesie, “A Bump in Life” book that includes testimonies that offer single and pregnant moms hope, and an invitation to the Embrace Grace program.
Both RPS sites also offer ultrasounds, which are administered by Nancy Thorne, RPS nurse manager and a registered nurse. The ultrasounds help verify intrauterine pregnancies, as well as help determine an estimated gestation age.
The organization’s services are free and confidential. No income or insurance verification is necessary.
In addition to its core services, RPS seeks to connect clients with other local resources and organizations that can provide additional assistance, such as Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), Community Health Access Project (CHAP), local food pantries, clothing closets and more.
“We’ve seen several clients from Harmony House and try to get them connected with other agencies,” Thorne said. “I know their biggest struggle a lot of the time is just surviving one day at a time, so we try to get them whatever assistance we can.”
RPS accepts both walk-in and scheduled appointments, though scheduling an appointment is advised to ensure the staff and volunteers are best prepared to meet the client’s needs. Call 419-522-8862 to schedule an appointment.
Embrace Grace
Beginning March 5, RPS is launching a program called Embrace Grace. Originally started by a national organization called Embrace Grace, Inc., this program aims at supporting and equipping single pregnant women.
“We want to help single pregnant women and let them know that we’re here for them and that we walk by their side—and one of the ways we can do that is through the Embrace Grace program,” Clark explained.
Janice Schatzinger and Cherie Fresonke, volunteers from Calvary Chapel, will help oversee the program.
“What I really love about this program is it’s all about telling these girls that we love them and that we (the church) should be the place that they run to when they have an unplanned pregnancy or they need answers or help,” Schatzinger said.
The 12-week program, which will take place at Crossroads City Center, culminates in a lavish baby shower. Participants are served a hot meal during each session.
“I think in the past so many girls have felt so judged and isolated and alone, and this is a way to love them,” Thorne said.
Call the RPS office at 419-522-8862 for more information and to register.
