On October 12, Seeds Women’s Center held its annual fundraising banquet at the Minden Civic Center, aiming to move into a larger facility in response to an 86% increase in demand over the past year. The center, a vital resource for pregnant individuals, provides free pregnancy tests, ultrasounds, parenting classes, adoption counseling, and reproductive health and loss counseling.
Over the last year, the center has witnessed a substantial rise in the utilization of their services, with a total of 335 client visits and 320 individuals served. Among the services provided, 214 pregnancy tests were administered, along with 308 ultrasounds. Moreover, 92 individuals enrolled in parenting classes, and 5 fathers successfully completed the Navigating Fatherhood course. The center also operates a boutique stocked with baby items, accessible to clients through earned points from their Learn to Earn online parenting class.
Amber Bradford, the director of Seeds Women’s Center, expressed aspirations to move to a larger facility to accommodate their growing clientele. The downpayment for the new building is estimated at $25,000. Currently, the center expends $10,800 annually in rent for their existing space, with utilities amounting to approximately $8,000 per year. Additional costs include medical supplies, maintenance, and insurance, exceeding $3,000 per month. These figures do not encompass expenses for parenting classes, website maintenance, educational brochures, and other essential operations, underscoring the urgency of financial support.
Brandi Geiger, a guest speaker at the event from Coweta, Oklahoma, shared her compelling story of resilience and faith. Despite enduring a traumatic experience of assault during her teenage years that resulted in an unplanned pregnancy, Geiger chose adoption over abortion. Her narrative illuminates the possibilities of turning adversity into blessings, emphasizing the value of perseverance and faith in challenging times.
The banquet, themed “Showers of Blessings,” highlighted the center’s mission. Amber Bradford, in her speech, affirmed the belief that true blessings come from unwavering faith, dismissing superstitions with the assertion that with God, luck is unnecessary.
Seeds Women’s Center extends its gratitude to sponsors and volunteers whose support made this event possible. Donations to further the cause can be made in person or online at www.seedswomenscenter.com. For those interested in volunteering, opportunities are regularly posted on the center’s Facebook page.
