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Hundreds gather to show support for 1st Way Pregnancy Center
By Joyce Coronel, The Catholic Sun
November 15, 2007
More than 350 people, including Bishop Thomas J. Olmsted, gathered Oct. 27 at the Wyndham hotel in downtown Phoenix to show their support for 1st Way of Maricopa County, a crisis pregnancy center.
The central-Phoenix clinic provides free pregnancy testing, counseling, education, maternity and baby clothes as well as referrals to women in need of assistance.
Occupying a structure built in 1929 and run largely by donations, the facility is badly in need of a second bathroom after a recent plumbing disaster.
Laurie Pittsenbarger, 1st Way’s nurse manager, told the crowd of financial supporters, “One year ago, we promised we’d see more clients, that our staff would grow and that we would increase our services. We have delivered 100 percent on those promises.”
The clinic has increased its hours of operation from 21 to 32 hours per week and has 50 dedicated volunteers, up from 40.
Rachel Ruby has been a volunteer counselor at 1st Way for 17 years. Her 84-year-old mother often accompanies her to act as a Spanish-language interpreter.
“I also write a monthly chastity newsletter,” she said of one of the clinic’s educational efforts. Ruby is often invited to speak at high schools regarding chastity or abortion, and students sign up to receive the newsletter.
Pittsenbarger, who is also bilingual, said 1st Way is helping more women than ever in its 35-year history. In 2006 the clinic served 2,700 people and she projects that by the end of this year, the number will have increased to 3,200.
According to Kay Allen, 1st Way’s executive director, the surge in client numbers is partly due to the Virtue Media advertising campaign that promotes the center.
“None of this would be possible without funding from our wonderful families,” Allen said of the financial supporters of the clinic. “We’re funded entirely by donations and charitable grants.”
The clinic is open six days a week and offers ultrasound exams to women who are considering an abortion. Allen said 90 percent of clients who see the ultrasound decide against abortion — a key factor in steering women away from a nearby abortion clinic.
Pittsenbarger spoke of one client in a desperate situation who was determined to have an abortion. When volunteers showed the woman the ultrasound image of her unborn child, she stared at the screen and said, “My baby, how could I ever think of hurting you?”
Thea, a former client of 1st Way, had high praise for the organization. Carrying her 1-month-old infant, she told the crowd, “I was alone and the people at 1st Way talked to me and gave me things for the baby.”
The woman was troubled by the pregnancy because she suffers from an intellectual disability and epilepsy. “The staff at 1st Way help moms become good parents… they are loving and supportive.”
Bishop Olmsted said the banquet was important because it serves to encourage those in the pro-life movement.
“We need fundraisers, but the bigger thing is that we can get discouraged,” said the bishop. “When we see an event like this it gives us new courage to carry on the work of the Gospel.”
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