The mission statement for the Pregnancy Resource Center, (formerly known as the Crisis Pregnancy Center) is: "We are committed to saving the lives of unborn children through promoting life affirming options and providing practical assistance, while sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ in word and deed, and to minister restoration to women who have been wounded by the trauma of abortion."

In the three years I've volunteered there, I've had the opportunity to present the Gospel several times very much the way we did in New York City. What a thrill it is to lead a young woman to Christ! A couple of times I've talked to girls and/or their mothers about abortions (praying constantly for the right words to say).

I usually work a three hour shift on Friday mornings seeing three clients one hour each. We also take phone calls setting appointments and rescheduling others. These hour appointments are the program called Earn While You Learn (EWYL). Young mothers or mothers-to-be come in and watch a video to prepare them in different stages of pregnancy through delivery and the first few years of the child's life. Each girl earns one baby buck each (play money) if she is on time, watches a video and does the worksheet that accompanies the video. She also receives a baby buck if she has gone to church and brings in the church bulletin, brings in an appointment card from her doctor's office for a well check-up for herself or her baby, and for each chapter of a Bible study that the PRC offers - total of seven books with several chapters in each. Hopefully she has a better understanding of the Bible. These baby bucks can then be used to "purchase" maternity clothes, baby clothes, baby food and formula, and diapers, etc. Most of these have been donated while some supplies have to be purchased.

We volunteers also have housekeeping chores, sorting clothes, and other office duties if clients have to reschedule their times and aren't able to come in that day.

When a woman volunteers at the pregnancy center, she starts with telephone duties setting up appointments. Then she gradually starts seeing clients on the EWYL Program. Soon she starts training that will lead to taking care of pregnancy tests. This involves working with girls who have a wide range of emotions about possibly being pregnant. Lately we have had several girls schedule appointments who mention on the phone that they are abortion-minded. Prayer requests are sent out for God to change the girls' hearts to realized that this is really not the right plan; that God has a better way. We praise God for the opportunity to meet with these girls and see how He changes lives!

The Pregnancy Center is in the process of converting our center into a medical clinic designed to provide intervention services to abortion vulnerable clients by offering limited ultrasound testing. PRC Clinics have reported that at-risk women educated through counseling and ultrasound has resulted in 88% of them voicing the intent to carry their babies to term. Our center has received a grant from Focus on the Family to help cover some of the costs of converting over to a medical clinic including purchasing our own ultrasound machine - hopefully before the end of the year. - Carole Halcomb

I actually started this outreach in Cedar Rapids, IA about 5 years ago at the Hiawatha Care Center. Upon moving to Bloomington in the fall of 2004, I began a similar outreach at Heritage Manor of Normal in early 2005. The outreach program has been called "Name That Tune with Harlan," however, the program consists of more than just naming a tune. During 2005, I expanded the monthly program to the Legacy Area of Heritage, Normal, which is the Alzheimer's unit. In late 2005, I added Heritage Manor of Bloomington and in mid-2006, Heritage Manor of Colfax. My final addition in January of 2007 was "The Meadows" which is located near Gridley and Chenoa. The Meadows program is a blend of the care center and two Alzheimer units together in the activity center. Attendance varies depending upon the care location but has grown to an average of 20-40.

I have never sung in a choir and I do not play any type of instrument! I love to be around "people who have lived life." I record and capture music for the residents on CD's that are built upon my experience of the type of beat, clarity, voices, and types of songs that seem to be best understood. I have narrowed my programs to basically three, which I rotate monthly and consistently tweak. My equipment is all contained in a self-built unit that can be "dollied" once I lift it out of my truck bed. The unit consists of a DVD/CD player, Yamaha multi-input PA system, cordless microphone system, and storage to contain my "props." These consist of a unique poem collection, the Bible, numerous ball caps, gardening hats, animal calls, and other stuff. At half time, there's a "small kiss" for everyone. Candy kisses, but many take advantage of a hug or kiss or both.

The goal for each program is to create "Moments of Joy" for everyone. I always have the room arranged so that I can move each resident and make eye contact and if possible, help them with the beat or actual words by mouthing them very clearly. Depending upon the "mood" of the group on a given day, I may vary but normally include a prayer, at least two Christian songs, a Bible reading or reference, a tribute to being a senior, a reference to East White Oak, a poem about young children's habit's or thoughts, and 12-14 other songs. Before the song is played, I normally have some story about the song or some question that would lead them into the song's title. On a normal program day, I would arrive 20 minutes early and play pre-music, greet each resident, sometimes use name tags, spend 50-60 minutes on the program, and thank everyone personally for coming at the end during post music of 15 minutes.

- Harlan Fels

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