Web Editor’s Note: This is part one of three-part series.
Pregnancy and parenthood can prove to be difficult, but factor in college on top of it and it becomes much more challenging.
CareNet Pregnancy Centers, a Christian faith-based ministry, and Haven Health Clinics, a clinic which provides affordable healthcare and reproductive services, are two local centers offering services to expectant mothers, largely to the college age demographic.
“Our largest category is the typical college age,” Amy Thompson, director of operations of CareNet Pregnancy Centers, said.
In 2011, 37 percent of CareNet’s client base was in the 20-24 age range, with 11 percent being college students.Likewise, Haven Health Clinics’ largest age segment is also the college age range.
“Our largest population segment by age is the 18-24 age group,” Ron Barwick, CEO of Haven Health Clinics, said.
Up until Sept. 2011, when funding was cut, Haven Health Clinics administered 800-1,000 pregnancy tests each month, with an average of 10-11 percent of the tests being positive.
While both centers provide pregnancy testing, their services extend beyond this. Both provide counseling to expectant mothers to help them make the best decisions for their pregnancies.
“We don’t want to just give a pregnancy test and sonograms and say ‘good luck,’” Thompson said. “We want to help the whole way through.”
CareNet provides their clients with a resource packet to assist with finding healthcare, housing and jobs.
Haven Health Clinics also provides its clients with similar resources and assists with referrals for pregnancy.
“We make sure that all types of information are available to patients with a positive pregnancy test,” Barwick said.
One thing the counseling center provides expectant mothers with is support.
“Pregnant college students face the challenge of trying to raise a child and still get an education or begin a career,” Barwick said. “If there is a support group in family or friends, this can be easier.”
Barwick feels that having support can help to achieve the life goals that may not have included children at the time.
CareNet has a support group called Moms Connected, which is a young mothers’ support group, and Thompson believes it helps to be surrounded by others who are experiencing the same situations.
“These moms are trying to fulfill a variety of roles,” Thompson said. “Being a full-time student keeps you busy enough, but having a baby and [maintaining a marriage or relationship] are full-time responsibilities as well.”
Thompson said it’s difficult to have a family and raise kids while in school, but she feels that it is definitely possible. Barwick feels the same.
“Although the road for women with unplanned pregnancies can be a hard one, I personally am convinced that, in every adverse situation, God provides a route for it to become an occasion of joy,” Barwick said.
