BEMIDJI 鈥� Just over 10 years since it first opened its doors, the Northwoods Pregnancy Care Center in Bemidji has started fundraising to buy a permanent home.
The center, which provides services for young and expecting mothers, is currently located on Bemidji Avenue, where it advertises compassion, and free and confidential support to those who enter its doors. Once inside, individuals and families can receive educational materials, free baby clothes and other services.
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It also offers limited medical services, ranging from tests for pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections to ultrasounds.
鈥淲e provide physical, emotional and practical support,鈥� explained Kelly McDonough, the director of the center. 鈥淲e鈥檙e really here to support our clients whether they're pregnant or moms with young kids. We want parents to be successful.鈥�
In order to continue that mission, the center is looking to raise $500,000 to purchase the building it currently leases, with a fundraising deadline of May 31.
The idea for the Northwoods Pregnancy Care Center started in 2010, with the organization first opening its doors two years later. While the center has called a few different buildings home since that time, it鈥檚 the current location that has really earned that title.
鈥淲e just love the building. It鈥檚 beautiful, it鈥檚 perfect,鈥� McDonough said. 鈥淲e have a lot of space to meet with moms and have support groups.鈥�
The center first moved into the building on Bemidji Avenue in 2020, and the increased visibility has helped it increase the reach of its services.
鈥淚t鈥檚 been the best move ever with visibility,鈥� McDonough shared. 鈥淚t鈥檚 also helpful because it鈥檚 walking distance for a lot of clients.鈥�
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In combination with the increased visibility, the number of people the center serves has also increased with higher community needs over the last few years.
McDonough shared that in 2019 the center had 368 appointments, which had increased to over 1,100 in 2023. It also went from performing eight ultrasounds in 2019 to 85 in 2023.
鈥淭he increase has been astronomical,鈥� McDonough said.
Those metrics don鈥檛 include the other services the center provides, like its boutique where clients can earn points to "buy" items ranging from high chairs to maternity clothes. Clients earn points by attending educational courses on parenting.
The center also puts together care packages that include diapers and other supplies, which it sends out to young families on a monthly basis.
With the need increasing, McDonough sees the stability of making its building a permanent home as a necessity.
鈥淭he stability would be invaluable,鈥� she said, 鈥渨e really are making a difference.鈥�
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To help with fundraising, McDonough has been visiting local churches, sending out mailers and attending different events to spread the word about the center鈥檚 needs. While the ask might be high, she shared her faith that the funds would be raised.
鈥淲e just have trust,鈥� she shared, 鈥淲e鈥檙e trusting the Lord that he鈥檒l provide the funds needed, he鈥檚 provided for us from the beginning.鈥�
But both before and after the building is purchased, Northwoods Pregnancy Care Center will be working to provide services and support young families and parents.
鈥淲e鈥檙e just all about trying to help and being compassionate, loving others through their hard circumstances,鈥� McDonough said. 鈥淲e want families to be successful, we want people to be the best parents they can be.鈥�
The Trust Project
