Volunteering to Make a Difference

Meet Casey, whose life has been impacted by the Pregnancy Care Center so she chose to make an impact through volunteering!

PCC: Where did you first hear about the Pregnancy Care Center and why did you decide to become involved with the ministry?

Casey: I first heard about the Pregnancy Care Center when I was in 6^th grade at St. Peter’s Lutheran School. We were beginning to learn sex education and were taught about the functions of the Pregnancy Care Center. During my 8^th grade year, Tracey Pike came and shared her story with us and talked to us about both the religious and health- related benefits of remaining abstinent. Apparently I didn’t listen well enough, because during my sophomore year of high school I became pregnant with my now 2 year old son, Rowan. After struggling to balance my school work with my family relationships and motherhood, I decided that I should try to help other girls in my situation however I could. I became a regular volunteer, sorting clothes, tying diapers, and stuffing bottles each week. When I turned 18, I was able to become a volunteer receptionist and I absolutely loved being able to answer the phone calls and help girls my age who were experiencing unplanned pregnancies to figure out what to do next.

PCC: What is your favorite part of volunteering for the PCC?

Casey: My favorite part of volunteering at PCC is the relationship between all of the managers, nurses, counselors, and volunteers. I love learning from everyone there and feeling comfortable talking to them about anything!

PCC: How has volunteering at the PCC impacted you?

Casey: I think volunteering at PCC has taught me a lot about how God feels about premarital sex. I has been able to ask forgiveness and make better decisions for myself. I have also realized that becoming a counselor at the Pregnancy Care Center is something that really interests me and is a definite possibility for me in the future.

PCC: In your opinion, why is it important to have a place like the PCC available to the community?

Casey: It is SO important for communities to have a place for struggling pregnant teens and young women to seek help. I love that the Pregnancy Care Center not only provides physical support and emotional support, but they also provide spiritual support to those who seek it. It is a perfect way to develop a strong mother who can make positive choices for her children.

PCC: What are your future goals and plans now that you have graduated high school?

Casey: I am now a student at Purdue University and will begin taking classes in the fall. My fiancé (Rowan’s dad), Kevin, and I are getting married on July 14^th before we move to Lafayette together with Rowan. Kevin will be studying Mechanical Engineering and I will be obtaining a Master’s degree in Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences. We are so excited about the future and what it will hold for our little family.

Summertime Opportunities for the Abstinence Eduation Department

A few supporters have asked recently, “So, what does the PCC Abstinence Education Dept. do for PCC in the summertime months while schools are not in session?”

I wanted to share with you a few opportunities in which we are still able to “plant truth and steal ignorance” in the teen mind during the summertime months while schools are not in session. In June we were invited to partner in presenting material to a set of teens involved in the Bartholomew County Juvenile Detention Center. What an honor and privilege it was to meet these broken teens where they are and speak life-giving perspective and truth in which they soaked like sponges. We took the opportunity to anonymously survey these teens after the 2 ½ hours of teaching and sharing to allow them to convey to us what kinds of decisions they would be making with their fresh perspective. Four of the six teens made a commitment to start anew and claimed “secondary virginity” from now until marriage!

In July we will be partnering with Columbus Behavioral Health in a similar fashion, reaching out to approx. 45 middle-school aged and high-school aged teens residing at this facility. Most of these teens are starving for a model of appropriate affection, are devoid of concepts such as self-value and worth, and can hardly grasp that there are people who exist that believe they could make fresh, healthy choices in their lives not allowing their past to dictate their future.

PCC’s Abstinence Education Faith-based Programs, Transformed and My Best for You, have been partnering with several churches in the capacity of Bible Schools, Youth Group meetings, and Seminars on specific topics such as body confidence and self esteem with young girls.

There is certainly no time to waste and no opportunity wasted when being about the business of being a community partner in the area of giving healthy perspective. We are so blessed to link with our supporters by impacting our communities one mind at a time.

Tracey Pike

Director of Abstinence Education

Senior Project, Giving Back

A Columbus East Senior recently gathered donations at her church as a way to give back to the Pregnancy Care Center. Becky was a recipient of material assistance with her daughter Trinity so she wanted to do something to give back to other young mothers. Held at East Columbus United Methodist Church, Becky set up a donation drop off station for those wanting to help. Various baby items such as diapers, formula and baby cloths were donated and then brought to the PCC. Thanks to Becky, many other mothers will find help and a bit of peace of mind through the PCC ministry.

(pictured above is Matthew Uncle of Trinity, Becky and Trinity)

Welcome Emma Buterbaugh, Our Summer Intern

The Pregnancy Care Center Administration Office has been pleased to welcome Emma Buterbaugh to the team as our summer intern. Emma will be a Senior at Purdue University this fall majoring in Human Services and is very interested in the non-profit world. She hopes to work for a non- profit organization after college. Teresa Russell, PCC Development Director, introduced her to the ministry years ago through various volunteer opportunities at youth group. Emma then came to volunteer on her own because she enjoyed it so much. “The main reason I wanted to intern at PCC was because I have a heart for this organization. PCC is doing such great things and they are truly touching lives for Christ. It is great to be able to experience and be a part of that.”

Emma has great expectations for her summer with the PCC. “For me this internship is just about the experience. I hope to gain more knowledge about abortions, teen pregnancies, STD's, etc. because these things are so prevalent to our society and will help me out at PCC as well. I also help to just better understand non profits and have a better feel for how they run/operate. “

Emma has been a great help so far this summer working with Jenny Gardner, Director of Client Services as well as the Abstinence Education Department, Development Team and in the centers as a Receptionist.