Facility extends a helping hand to expecting mothers

For more than 14 years, the Pregnancy Help Center of Williamson County has been a resource for soon-to-be mothers seeking support and guidance.

Approximately 350–400 new clients are served by the PHCWC each year.

"We just try to meet everyone with love and just care about them and meet them where they are, because everybody's got a story," PHCWC Executive Director Amy Scoggins said. "We're there to walk alongside the girl and to be a support to her."

That support comes in different ways at PHCWC, which is now located in a house on the south side of Georgetown. The center relocated to the new facility in March.

PHCWC offers free pregnancy tests and referrals to obstetricians, helps with pregnancy plans and can connect women to adoption agencies if needed.

"First and foremost, we're a pro-life pregnancy center," Scoggins said. "We do have some girls who make adoption plans, and it's really cool to watch it play out."

Classes on health, first aid, baby care, breastfeeding, money management and parenting techniques are also available, and women earn points when they attend classes, participate in surveys and write reports on parenting books. Those points can then be redeemed for baby-related items. Classes and support groups are available for expecting fathers as well.

Women can also take courses in job skills and check out professional maternity wear for interviews.

"There [are] a lot of the dads that come in ... and they want to be good dads, and they want to be there, and they want to be supportive, and they want to do the right thing," Scoggins said. "So we want to do what we can do to help them out in that direction."

In addition to those services, volunteers also offer emotional support and personal relationships with each woman, regardless of their scenario.

"We just get to know them on a more personal basis, and that way we're able to help them more because they feel more comfortable with us," Scoggins said.

The center also offers a six-week course to aid in the healing process for women who have had abortions.

"The women I know that have gone through those classes have told me that it's been incredibly helpful, and it's just kind of helped them work through something they weren't real sure they needed to work through," she said.

PHCWC welcomes those interested in helping at the center. Prospective volunteers fill out an application, go through an interview process and train before working at PHCWC. People are needed as counselors for pregnant women, to fill in as receptionists and to keep the center clean.

PHCWC's annual fundraising banquet will be held Oct. 16.

Pregnancy Help Center of Williamson County, 508 FM 1460, 868-0153, www.phcwc.com