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Free pregnancy services offered at new centre

Hope for Women Pregnancy Services is an initiative of the Abbotsford Right to Life Society.

Hope for Women Pregnancy Services, an initiative of the Abbotsford Right to Life Society, celebrates its grand opening on Saturday, May 3.

The new facility, located at #2-32700 George Ferguson Way, provides free pregnancy tests, options counselling and practical support.

Hope for Women Pregnancy Services has a reception area, private counselling rooms and a room full of babies’ and young children’s supplies free to expectant mothers and mothers in need.

Screened and trained volunteers assist with the day-to-day operations at the centre.

Abbotsford Right to Life, which has been active in the community since 1980, has worked hard to raise the funds to operate a pregnancy care centre in Abbotsford. They rely on the generosity of local residents and fundraisers like their upcoming Walk for Life on June 7 for funding.

Elizabeth Sutcliffe, coordinator of client services at Hope for Women Pregnancy Services, said the site has helped 25 women since moving to the new space in late January.

Along with referrals to community resources and providing clothing and baby essentials, Hope for Women also offers post-abortion counselling to women.

“There are women in our community who are struggling with the consequences of previous abortions, and we want to let them know that they are not alone,” Sutcliffe said.

Jared White, general manager of Abbotsford Right to Life and acting director of Hope for Women, said there is little that will not be done at the centre to help a woman throughout her pregnancy and beyond.

“I think our biggest goal is to empower women. We provide a safe, non-judgmental environment where a woman can explore all her options,” he said.

“We are not a medical facility and we do not provide or refer for abortions but we are here to love and support all our clients regardless of what choice they make.”

The grand opening runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on May 3. For more information, visit hopeforwomen.ca.