A Saturday event will allow Odessans the chance to get an inside look at the local non profit Birthright during a free community event that features entertainment, desserts and giveaways.
Birthright offers free services from an initial medical-grade pregnancy test to offering information about pregnancy, childbirth, adoption, prenatal care, community programs, parenting skills and child care.
The center, which is not government funded and runs on donations, also offers referrals for medical support, financial resources, social assistance, professional counseling, free resources and also maternity clothing and baby items.
Birthright board member Amy Cravey has been volunteering 13 years. “What drew me to Birthright was they are very hands on in helping the community and being here for this community. Our facility is 100 percent run by volunteers. Everyone who works a shift is a volunteer and we are 100 percent donation funded.”
She said Birthright has been in the community almost four decades and that the center enjoys community, church and foundation support. “We are really able to pour into the community and help girls who find themselves in an unexpected pregnancy.”
She said the center sees a number of teens of the about 1,000 to 1,500 seen annually but added they serve women of all ages.
“The youngest I saw was 13 and the oldest was 52,” Cravey said. “There are people who are married and have families and find themselves with an unexpected pregnancy.”
She said the reward of volunteering at Birthright is that the center has a long history of being on the ground and in the trenches “with women who find themselves in a situation that they may or may not have prepared for…we seek to love that woman and the baby and help in any way we can.”
That help may include maternity and baby clothing or helping with referrals or helping verify for Medicaid. “We have lots of resources and are very hands-on.”
Cravey said Saturday’s event is a chance to offer tours of the building and to show what all Birthright does for the community.
The event, scheduled 1 to 4 p.m. at 2125 E. 42nd (behind the Walgreens at Grandview and 42nd) will offer pregnant moms a treat – a free maternity photo shoot by professional photographer Julian Mancha.
Entertainment will include the 2022 winner of Odessa’s Got Talent, Grace Surmion. A dessert table by MarQuette’s Cake Studio and giveaways are also planned.
Odessan Patricia Anderson, another volunteer, said the come and go event is open to anyone and there will be bags for moms-to-be filled with goodies.
Anderson added that praying with those seeking help is part of what the center offers along with guidance to a variety of other organizations that offer help to those with an unplanned pregnancy. “We have literature for the moms-to-be and also for the fathers-to-be that can help them.”
Anderson said Birthright offers a calm, loving atmosphere. “We provide encouragement and direction and they can come and talk with us at any time and we can connect them with other resources.
Cravey said Birthright typically has a January fundraiser but board members felt compelled to have an outreach event to better serve moms-to-be. “There will be lots of free things and we want to love on them and let them know Birthright supports them.”
She said the event is kid friendly and urged the community to come out and see all they have to offer.
Birthright will have numerous door prize giveaways for community members to win. Some of them include:
- $100 Visa gift card
- 40 oz Stanley Cup
- $100 Cork and Pig gift card
- $50 E.F. Outfitters gift card
- $50 HTeaO gift card
- Signature hydra facial from DR. Charles A. Lively Spa
- A five product set from Flying Cow Tallow
- Three 60 minute float sessions from Thrive & Revive Wellness Spa
Birthright also has a 24/7 Free Helpline: 1-800-550-4900.
If you go
- What: Birthright of Odessa open house.
- When: 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday.
- Where: 2125 E. 42nd St. (behind the Walgreens at Grandview and 42nd).
- The free event will have giveaways, food and entertainment.
