In 1996, a group of people noted an influx of teenage pregnancies in Pearl River County.
In an effort to reduce these rates and prevent terminations of unwanted pregnancies, the Sav-A-Life of Pearl River Area opened its doors to women in need, Sav-A-Life Director Bonita Wynn said.
“Sav-A-Life is an interdenominational pro-life ministry that offers pregnancy support services to women and men dealing with unplanned pregnancies,” Wynn said. “We also counsel the abortion minded and vulnerable in order to help them carry a baby to full term.”
The center is staffed with volunteers, which includes a medical director, nurse and X-ray technician, Wynn said. All services provided are free and performed on site.
There are a variety of services offered at Sav-A-Life including free pregnancy tests and a limited ultrasound, which measures the baby and confirms the pregnancy, Wynn said. After the tests, the mothers are given a proof of pregnancy to take to their primary doctor and Medicaid.
During the pregnancy, mothers and fathers can attend peer counseling, parent and abstinence classes and post-abortive counseling, Wynn said.
The center also has a clothes closet for mothers and provides diapers, Wynn said.
“Our goal is to meet the needs of the mothers,” Wynn said. “Love the mother and save the baby.”
When participants attend these programs, they also earn points, which can be used to purchase cribs, car seats or strollers, Wynn said. They are also taught how to properly install a car seat.
Sav-A-Life also refers parents to adoption agencies, Wynn said.
The program is fully funded by community organizations, churches, businesses and individual donors, Wynn said.
All information is kept confidential and participants can attend programs up to six months after giving birth, she said.
Beginning in August, Sav-A-Life will be hosting Forgiven and Set Free: Post Abortive Bible Study.
“We want to help these women see that they can be free from the torment and that God forgives,” Wynn said.
Wynn, who has been the director since September 2014, was a volunteer for Manna Ministries when she was offered the position.
“I have a heart for women and children, that’s my ministry,” Wynn said. “People need to know we’re here to assist mothers and fathers with unplanned pregnancies.”
The Bible study will be held on August 6 at 5:30 p.m. at the Sav-A-Life Center.
Sav-A-Life is located at 1101 Goodyear Blvd. The center is open Monday, Wednesday and Thursday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Contact staff by phone at 601-799-2668 and for more information visit www.savalifems.org and through Facebook at Sav-A-Life of the Pearl River Area.