Alexia Newman: Carolina Pregnancy Center's mission unchanged following overturned Roe v. Wade

We were seated around a table for a staff meeting when the news broke that Roe vs. Wade was overturned, allowing decisions to return to the states. It was quite the celebration as our phones began to blow up with texts and calls.

Even though we were expecting a decision from the US Supreme Court by the end of June, when it actually was announced, it was a feeling I just can’t describe.

We immediately knew that we had more work to do. There would be women and families who would continue to need us, now more than ever. They do not need judgment or condemnation. They would need unconditional love and support, and we were ready to not only love them but also to give them accurate information.

Carolina Pregnancy Center has been in operation since 1987. We began in a chiropractor’s office and quickly moved to 900 square feet in the Metro Center in Spartanburg. We have moved again to occupy a little over 7,000 square feet.

In January, we broke ground on a new office building that will enable us to expand our services and our growing client base. All of our services are confidential and offered at no charge. No one who comes to us is turned away.

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We have grown in our 35 years to now offer not only free pregnancy tests, but also physical needs items for moms and babies, limited ultrasounds, and post-abortion support groups for men and women.

We also provide a mentoring program called Earn While You Learn, for men and women, through which they can earn Mommy Money or Daddy Dollars. This “money” can be spent in our on-campus store, which has items for babies and toddlers, anything from car seats to bottles, clothes to diapers. It also has children’s books, and at Christmas, it has a section with toys.  Our job is to equip moms and dads to be the best parents they can be.

When the pandemic hit in 2020 and there was a shortage of diapers and formula, we began a drive-thru in our parking lot where anyone in our community could come on a specific day, and pick up diapers, formula, and wipes. Our most recent drive-thru was held on July 11, and we were happy to serve 108 families.

We can only do this because of the generosity of the community and area churches. With the recent shortage of formula, this has been a tremendous blessing not only to Spartanburg but also to the surrounding area. We have no plans to discontinue this service. It is a great way to reach out, love and serve people.

We have also added a mobile unit. With this rolling pregnancy center, we can go to the people who need us but can’t get to our office. It is equipped with an ultrasound machine, diapers, and other resources that are helpful for families in an unplanned pregnancy. We expect to go all over Spartanburg County and even in surrounding counties that do not presently have a crisis pregnancy center.

Being a faith-based organization, our heart is to serve others and, in the process, we tell people about Jesus in a kind and loving manner.  We never push Him on anyone, because Jesus’ example to us was that He never pushed Himself. But He is the hope that so many long for. We respectfully present His message of love to everyone and leave the results to Him. Their response in no way affects the help that we provide. We have helped to find housing for those who were homeless. We have fed those who were hungry. We have clothed those in need. To do anything less would not honor Jesus’ example.

So you see, these are the ways we served before Roe was overturned, and we will continue to serve in these ways, and even more. Hopefully, we will have more opportunities to love and to promote a culture of life.

It is our privilege and our honor.

Alexia Newman is executive director of the Carolina Pregnancy Center in Spartanburg. To learn more, visit carolinapregnancy.org.

This article originally appeared on Herald-Journal: Carolina Pregnancy Center's mission unchanged after abortion ruling