New location gives center more opportunity to serve

By RAELYNN RICARTE
News staff writer

The Columbia Gorge Pregnancy Resource Center has seen a 69 percent increase in client visits during the past two years.

The Hood River-based organization also has more men now accessing services with their pregnant wives and girlfriends.

“I think the pro-life movement in this country is growing and what is happening here is a reflection of that,” said Dave Compton, president of the CGPRC board of directors.

A recent fundraiser dinner for the center drew about 230 people from the Mid-Columbia area. Compton said it was heartwarming to receive such a high level of support. He said 65 percent of the nonprofit organization’s funding is contributed by individuals. The remainder is donated by area churches and private foundations.

“Twenty-three years ago we began helping women and families facing an unplanned pregnancy,” said Sandra Willems, CGPRC’s executive director, in her welcome to the crowd.

“It’s just so amazing to know that when you walk down the street you are passing some of the children whose lives were changed because of this ministry.”

CGPRC recently moved into brand-new office space at 1936 12th St., Suite 100. The operating hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Wednesday. There is no charge for the confidential services and special appointments can be made upon request.

Although the center operates with the motto that “Life is the Best Choice,” Willems said no judgment is made against clients who decide to have an abortion.

“We are not here to take their choice away,” said Cindy Rovig, center director.

“Certainly we don’t encourage abortion as a pro-life organization. But we don’t show graphic pictures to try to dissuade our clients and they are very comfortable to come back for support even if they make that choice.”

Rovig said pro-life groups are often criticized for encouraging women to keep a baby and then not providing them with continuing support.

She said that is not the case at CGPRC, which offers parenting classes with credits that can be applied toward infant and toddler clothing, diapers and other supplies.

“It really empowers our mothers when they can take care of the child themselves,” said Rovig.

Expectant parents are also referred to local and state agencies that can help them find adequate housing and employment.

When Mary Rangel’s son, Jeremy Reyes, was six months old, she showed up at the center to take parenting classes.

“That was a great benefit; it helped me a lot,” she said. “I really didn’t have all of the information that I needed and found myself asking questions like, ‘Is this normal?’ or ‘Is this supposed to be happening?’”

Her son is now an active and inquisitive 3-year-old and Rangel is about to deliver a second baby. She has seen a fetal development video at the center to learn about the pre-born stages of growth.

“I understand this pregnancy better and I have a lot of moral support,” she said.

“They (center staffers) are there with open arms no matter what you decide to do. I was considering adoption when I came here to get a pregnancy test. But then I heard the heartbeat of my baby and I just couldn’t do it.”

Rangel, a single mother, isn’t just a client of the center; she is also a volunteer.

“I try to give back, as well, so I come in whenever I can,” she said.

Compton said CGPRC is faith-based in its mission to protect the most vulnerable human: the unborn child.

He said some of the women who ask for help have left an abusive relationship and others are unexpectedly pregnant and frightened about the future.

He said CGPRC’s role is to empower these women so that they acquire confidence to overcome difficulties and carve out a place in the world.

“We try to work with them on making better life choices and thinking about what they are doing instead of just falling into it,” said Compton.

All volunteers at CGPRC receive special training before interacting with clients. The center is seeking more volunteers to accommodate the increased demand for services.

“We have clients who say, ‘I’m going to give you a call when I go into labor so it will be like you are in the room with me.’ I think it’s neat to have them trust us like that,” said Jennifer Johnson, ministry development specialist.

Cindy Brunk, who had an abortion 17 years ago, told attendees at the banquet that 43 percent of women in the United States have had one or more abortion(s). She said many of these women later experience psychological and/or emotional trauma and seek out CGPRC for help in healing.

The center offers a post-abortion Bible study group centered on the theme of forgiveness. A plaque bearing the name of a lost infant can also be posted in the Columbia Gorge Garden of Hope, located on the Hood River Lavender Farm.

“An important step in my healing was to name and memorialize my son Adam,” said Brunk.

The garden is also open to parents who have miscarried or lost a child at any age in an accident.

For more information on CGPRC call the Hood River office at 386-1050. To learn more about the Garden of Hope call 541-490-6121.