Support from family and friends can make a big difference when experiencing an unexpected pregnancy. But not everyone has access to someone that they can turn to for help.
Whether signing up for a free diaper program or browsing for donated maternity and baby clothing, the Wellington Pregnancy Care Centre in Fergus helps to ensure that all new parents have the information and support they need.
New or expecting parents are invited to visit the centre’s Care Closet which is open every Wednesday morning from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
The Care Closet offers free diapers, clothing, baby furniture and strollers as well as free prenatal vitamins, diapers, wipes, and formula.
For low-income families, the centre also offers free car seats available through the Township of Centre Wellington Community Impact Grant.
“We’ve been growing in donations. We have a really generous community here that provides us with the resources for our clothing closet, free of charge. So, we are just really thankful,” said Wellington Pregnancy Care Centre (WPCC) director, Joanne Pronk.
Pronk says financial contributions and donations of baby clothing are always appreciated.
“Our main need is baby boy clothing from 12 months to 3T. We seem to have a lot of clients with babies that age and they all seem to be boys. We also have a storage area where we keep cribs, highchairs, and just a bit of this and that. So, if someone comes in in an urgent situation, we can help them,” Pronk said.
“We have wonderful volunteers who help source us. The Food Bank also helps us with items such as formula. So, we do work with other agencies in town who are doing similar work. We all work together.”
In Canada, almost half of all pregnancies are unexpected. For some, it may be difficult to confront what to do next.
WPCC seeks to provide every woman with medically accurate information about her options and is committed to maintaining long-term relationships with clients by providing prenatal, postnatal and parenting/life skills mentorship.
The organization offers free pregnancy tests, prenatal classes, community referrals for housing, work or schooling, as well as online parenting programs.
“We envision a community where anyone experiencing an unexpected pregnancy or challenges parenting as a new parent, has a place to go for care and support,” Pronk said.
In 2015 community members from several different churches in Wellington met to discuss how to fill the need for a place where unexpectedly pregnant local women and new parents could go to receive support, supplies and mentoring.
Since opening our doors in 2017, the Wellington Pregnancy Care Centre has been the most comprehensive local resource for women during and after an unexpected pregnancy.
“Back then, we were in a different location, but still in Fergus. We were a satellite centre of the Kitchener Waterloo Pregnancy Centre,” Pronk said.
“They helped us get started in this community, which was great. About two and a half years later, we became independent and gained our own charitable status.”
Pregnancy Care Canada is the national organization that oversees about 80 plus centres across Canada, including Wellington Pregnancy Care Centre.
“Things are going quite well and we have grown incrementally with the number of clients and building up our presence here in town. We work with other organizations including Family and Children’s Services, the Food Bank, churches and doctors,” Pronk said.
“People who are unexpectedly pregnant will often phone or text saying ‘I don’t know what to do’. Often it is a panic situation. We offer that they come here, and we give them all of the options that are available to them.”
WPCC offers decision making tools, to give clients an opportunity to make a good choice for themselves based on the resources available to them.
“This often involves two or more appointments Sometimes we are the only people that they talk to. So, we feel privileged to enter into some of their difficult circumstances,” Pronk said.
The monthly Mom2Mom program offers new mothers a time to connect, share experiences, build new friendships, and support one another.
“New moms get together and have teaching time that covers various topics including nutrition. And there’s usually some hands-on activity like baking or craft making. We also have a garden plot in the back,” Pronk said.
Participants receive a $25 gift gas card to avoid any barriers when it comes to transportation, for those who live outside Fergus.
“These are very courageous women. We feel like we are helping them, but really, they help us too. So many neat relationships have been built. It’s really great,” Pronk said.
The ‘Being a Father’ program offers sessions for men to prepare for birth, parenting and other life skills.
“We haven’t had a lot of male clients, but we do want to support men as well. We’ve had male clients who are invested in a situation, and we really want to cheer them on too,” Pronk said.
Pronk says WPCC could not operate without the dedicated help from many volunteers.
“We are always looking for volunteers. Right now, because we are increasing in numbers, we could use more volunteers in the area of baby sitting during our programs,” she said.
Pronk says the aim is to offer hope and compassion to those who find themselves pregnant and in need of help and support.
“Seeing what they go through, it really opens your eyes. I really enjoy being able to support them,” Pronk said.
“I feel so privileged in my own life and I am really happy to share my time and abilities that God has given me with the community so that I can help women flourish, and give them hope.”
