VALDOSTA —
VALDOSTA — An open house for the $740,000 Options Now, A Life Choice Clinic, at the corner of West Park Avenue and North Oak Street, will be held from 2-5 p.m. Sunday, May 6.
“I am thankful to the Lord for building this facility,” Chairman of the Board Britt McLane said Wednesday at a ribbon cutting for the clinic. “... Thank you for all you’ve done to support us.”
Board member Jimmy Whatley read Matthew 24:39-40: “‘When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’”
“That is the tone of why we are here ... saving the lives of babies,” Whatley said.
The Pregnancy Support Clinic, doing business as Options Now, A Life Choice Clinic, is a Christ-centered ministry, which advances the sanctity of human life and sexual purity, empowering individuals to make life-affirming choices, according to Becky Deas, PSC/Options Now executive director.
The Pregnancy Support Center was formed in 1991, changing its name in 2001 when it became a medical clinic. Since 1991, the ministry has recorded 1,100 Red Rose births (through the end of April), with three Red Rose births so far in May. A Red Rose is used to symbolize babies born to mothers who were either abortion-minded or abortion vulnerable at the time of becoming a client of the clinic.
“As a medical clinic, we offer free pregnancy testing as well as free limited ultrasounds for the purpose of determining gestational age and pregnancy viability,” Deas said. “In the future, we hope to expand and include STD testing.”
In the two exam rooms, patients can see their pre-born babies on TV screens as the ultrasounds are done.
“Not everyone will change their mind when they see the ultrasound, but many will,” Deas said.
The state-of-the-art clinic is under two co-medical directors, Dr. Charles Hobby and Dr. Alex Culbreth, with two registered nurses on staff.
“As we look to reaching more women, we need volunteers to fill reception spots, counselor roles and various other volunteer opportunities,” Deas said.
In addition to extra counseling and exam rooms, the new clinic provides improved confidentiality with separate entrances for visitors and patients, additional rooms for medical services, and a training room, where people from area cities can come and learn how to establish their own life-affirming clinics. The clinic also offers a men’s ministry as well as abortion recovery support for those who have had abortions. The Repeat Boutique Thrift Store on Norman Drive partially funds the clinic.
The 5,200-square-foot clinic, which was occupied on April 2, was designed by J. Glenn Gregory & Associates, built by Pinnacle Prime (Walt Gill) and tastefully decorated by Patty Lee and a team of decorators. Buddy LaHood and other area artists donated paintings which line the walls along with pictures of the children whose lives have been saved through the work of the clinic.
“Thanks to the Lord and His people who have made (the new clinic) possible,” said Becky Deas, executive director. “We look forward to fulfilling what He gave us to do in serving this community.
“Eleven years ago, we started praying for God to ‘enlarge our territory’ of service. We have seen Him work and this is one step in that process as we desire to reach those who need us.”
Local News
Related Photos
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Paul Leavy | The Valdosta Daily Times Becky Deas, executive director of the Options Now, A Life Choice Clinic, cuts the ribbon during ceremonies at the new clinic located on Park Avenue.
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Paul Leavy | The Valdosta Daily Times Guests on a tour of the Options Now, A Life Choice Clinic, watch a video of an ultrasound of a pre-born baby in one of the new examination rooms at the clinic located on West Park Avenue.
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Paul Leavy | The Valdosta Daily Times The new Options Now, A Life Choice Clinic, located at West Park Avenue, had a ribbon-cutting ceremony Wednesday morning.
Discussion
Open house Sunday for Options Now clinic
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