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Hope Connections Pregnancy Resource Center • Leander

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By Patrick Brendel Friday, 20 February 2009

When an unplanned pregnancy occurs, residents need to know they have somewhere to turn, said Marianne Drummond, center director of Hope Connections Pregnancy Resource Center, a pro-life Christian nonprofit. It opened in August 2007 and is the only pregnancy resource center in the Leander and Cedar Park area, serving about 200 clients in 2008, Drummond said.

The center is not affiliated with any particular church or denomination, but spiritual belief is a component of its service.

“We want to help people meet their needs when they are pregnant. The ultimate goal is to introduce them to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ,” Drummond said.

The center offers free and confidential services, including pregnancy testing, adoption services, counseling, educational classes, formula, diapers, baby items, maternity clothes and referrals to obtain prenatal care and other health services, said Drummond, a retired teacher who has lived in Leander since 1995.

Parenting classes are led by Connie Thoms, preschool director of Hill Country Bible Church Northwest.

Many times, a woman who comes to Hope Connections for a pregnancy test will receive services throughout the pregnancy and after the baby is born, Drummond said.

If a woman is thinking about having an abortion, Hope Connections offers to perform a sonogram so she can see the fetus. The center also offers parenting classes as well as a 10-week Bible study for women who have previously had an abortion.

For services or goods not available at the center, such as car seats, Hope Connections volunteers contact other pregnancy resource centers throughout Central Texas to attempt to meet their clients’ needs.

All potential volunteers undergo an interview and screening process, which includes testimony from the volunteer’s pastor. Drummond, a part-time employee, is the center’s only paid staff member.

Volunteers can fill a variety of positions, including intercessors, client advocates, resource organizers, clerical assistants, church liaisons, seamstresses, boutique coordinators, baby shower coordinators, university liaisons, baby bottle campaign coordinators and adoption coordinators.

A display shows the size of babies at different stages of fetal develpoment

The center’s annual banquet, Saddle up for Hope!, will take place from 6:30-8:30 p.m. April 21 at Victory Baptist Church, 1775 E. Whitestone Blvd., Cedar Park. The keynote speaker will be author Lee Ezell, who has written eight books and describes herself as a humor therapist. Sponsorships of tables for eight people range from $500 to $5,000.