In an effort to provide assistance and support as well as an opportunity for young women and men and their families dealing with pregnancy, the First Baptist Church of Century has sched- uled a Sanctity of Life Rally for 5 p.m., this Sunday, Jan. 12, at the First Baptist Church, located at 550 Church St. in Century.
The event's special guest will be registered nurse Sandra White from the Life Options Clinic, the pregnancy
Resource Center of Milton, a non-profit volunteer organi- zation which helps provide for youth who find them- selves pregnant.
The event was the idea of Pastor David Boyd, church pastor for the past 12 years, who said he has seen a surge in teenage pregnancies in recent years and wanted to do something.
“I saw this happening and said to myself, what can we as a church do to help?,” said Boyd. “I felt like something needed to be done.”
Boyd said he had been praying for a solution when he came across the Life
Options Clinic in Milton, Fla., a volunteer organization that supports families during in this time of need.
“It's a wonderful pro- gram,” said Boyd. “They will take families and young girls, and provide up to two years, baby food, diapers, clothes, and other opportunities to make it easier to take care of the child. And it is free.”
Boyd said he started an opportunity for his church and the interest was so great, he decided to open it up to the community.
“We will have a representa- tive from that organization to come and share,” said Boyd.
“It's a positive thing for Century, a chance to share opportunities. I have friends who are going to it.”
Boyd said there are coun- seling programs for both young women and men to learn the responsibilities of parenthood. The facility is right down from Santa Rosa Medical Center in Milton, located at 5775 Berryhill Road. Boyd said he thinks it is a wonderful program.
“Families of all races are struggling, and we hope to see a lot of possibilities from this,” said Boyd. “It's a very informative thing, a wonder- ful thing for Century to be
able to make contacts for those in need in the town. We are inviting church goers, the public, anyone who would like to come and learn or give support. I think we will have a pretty good group.”
Boyd said he recognizes the need. He said that one way to deal with the issue directly is to provide opportunities, to give young people counseling, a chance to see what is com- ing.
He said everything at Life Option is organized, that they have new clothes for pregnant mothers available also.
“They will take a sono- gram of the baby for young
parents,” said Boyd. “The facility is very clean and nice and the staff is kind and help- ful. I was very impressed with the whole experience when I visited there.”
He said they do not provide medical care for the term of the pregnancy, but they try to get clients in touch with who they need to see to provide medical attention.
“We wanted to provide an opportunity for the clinic to share what they do with the community,” said Boyd.
For more information, con- tact the Life Options Clinic at 850-983-2730.
