In the summer of 1992 a large number of people became concerned about the high pregnancy rate among teenagers in Franklin County, Kansas. Statistics showed that Franklin County ranked 12th in the state of Kansas, per capita, in teen pregnancy. The community saw a need for abstinence education and, in the event of an unplanned pregnancy, to provide tangible, physical alternatives to help save the life of the child and make carrying the baby to term easier for the mother.

The LIGHT House, a Christian home for unwed mothers in Kansas City was contacted and agreed to help set up a Crisis Pregnancy Center in Ottawa. In four months time the community rallied and raised the $10,000 needed to get the center started. The satellite of the LIGHT House opened in January of 1993, providing free pregnancy tests, clothing and baby items, medical referrals, housing and adoption services. Our mission was simply to save the life of the child and promote abstinence for singles as the only foolproof method of birth control.

After seeing clients in our office for a year, we realized that the issues facing single, pregnant women were almost always complex. Many girls admitted to being involved in destructive cycles and lifestyles that were unhealthy. After much prayer and discussion, our Board of Directors decided to set new goals and become an independent ministry.

In January of 1994 we became LifeCare Center for Women. Now an independent center, we affiliated with International Life Services in California and were under their umbrella of non-profit eligibility. In 1999 we were awarded our own non-profit, 501(c)(3) status by the Internal Revenue Service.

We continue to offer free pregnancy tests, clothing and baby items, medical referrals, housing assistance, adoption service referrals and Biblical counseling with trained lay volunteers. We work hand in hand with other agencies in the community such as Hope House, SRS, Salvation Army, ECKAN and school counselors. We enjoy a working relationship with several area churches.

We will continue to serve the Lord and our community until the need is no longer present or we are released by God to serve Him elsewhere.

225 S. Walnut, Suite 102 • Ottawa, Kansas 66067
(785) 242-4500
hope@lifecarecenter.org

Copyright © 2008 LifeCare Center For Women