Care Net Pregnancy Center offers several services

Monday, February 23, 2009
Care Net Pregnancy Center of Putnam County board of directors member Susan Price sorts through some winter baby clothes during the open house Saturday. Care Net provides material support to mothers at no charge.

Think you might be pregnant and are scared?

Having a baby soon and need some guidance?

Women of any age, race or social status have a place to turn for help. The Care Net Pregnancy Center of Putnam County has been serving the local area and even surrounding counties for 15 years.

Each client is met with complete discretion any time they walk through the door. Care Net has been providing emotional, material and spiritual support to women since June 1994.

"That is the basis of our ministry," said Client Services Director Cathy Campbell.

The two biggest ministries for the center are the material support program and the Earn While You Learn program.

"Those two keeps us the busiest," said the center's executive director Shelly McFadden.

The earning portion of Earn While You Learn means clients are given the opportunity to earn credits, which can be used to "purchase" materials such as maternity and baby clothes, blankets, diapers, formula and other much needed supplies. A grant from the Putnam County Community Foundation made this part of the program possible.

The learning portion is helping expecting mothers understand what to anticipate in pregnancy and beyond. The idea is for parents or soon-to-be parents to be the best parents they can be by providing regular lessons with a number of topics to choose from. Staff members put together a package designed to meet the specific needs of each client.

Volunteers are a unique aspect of the center -- a non-profit organization supported only by generous contributions of individuals, churches and businesses in Putnam County.

Each volunteer takes 18 to 21 hours of formal training followed by shadowing a seasoned volunteer. They "work" roughly three hours each week in a variety of capacities.

Campbell started as a volunteer before becoming a staff member three years ago. She is one of two staff members, along with McFadden.

Care Net has found a new place to call home. As of Jan. 5, it is located at 12 N. Jackson St., in the historic Opera House on the west side of the court house.

An open house was held Saturday, providing "people the chance to see the new facility and what we do," said McFadden.

As a pregnancy center, accurate information, confidential support, community referrals and pregnancy tests are available. All services provided are free of charge.

Anyone interested in helping Care Net keep its doors open and continue to provide important services can host a table of eight at the fundraising banquet April 15 at Greencastle Christian Church.

To host a table at the banquet, contact McFadden at 653-6605. For more information on Care Net or its services, contact McFadden at the above number or by e-mail at cpc@cinergymetro.net

Care Net's ministry is guided by a board of directors which includes board chairman Dennis Stanley, vice chairman Beth Fajt, secretary Sandra Nicholson, treasurer Monty Montgomery, and members Mark Miller, Susan Price, Ken Steinborn and David Neeley.

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  • I wish "ministries" like this would be more up front about the fact that their "care" is completely non-medical in nature, and that they present only a subset of all the options available to pregnant women.

    -- Posted by FluffBunny on Mon, Feb 23, 2009, at 7:11 AM
  • This ministry never hides who they are. They help anyone who walks in the door, no matter what decisions they eventually make. They are an important bridge and resource for many parents who weren't planning on getting married. They are a place that many have turned to when they had no where else to turn. They don't pretend to be the doctors, they are simply there to help.

    This "ministry" (as you so eloquently put it) provides counseling, information on pregnancy, birth, breast feeding, diapers, and caring for the baby, as well as supplies like cribs, diapers, clothes, and all the while points those they help to agencies and government avenues for financial support. The fact that you could not wait to log on and throw out your anonymous little cheap shot against an organization like that over some ideological difference shows more about you than this much-needed ministry in our area.

    -- Posted by cloverfan on Mon, Feb 23, 2009, at 7:57 AM
  • The fact remains that the organization's own ideological stance specifically dictates that the complete set of medical choices legally available to pregnant women is not presented in a manner that is contextually distinct from that stance.

    Women who believe they may be pregnant should first seek the real medical advice of a real medical doctor, before seeking spiritual guidance of ministries who cloak their limited, non-medical care behind names like "Care Net" or "Crisis Centers." These names imply that medical care (other than a pregnancy test) exists behind the door, when it doesn't.

    I fully support organizations providing community and spiritual support to women. I don't support them doing so, masked behind deceptive, pseudo-medical names that could easily delay essential medical care.

    -- Posted by FluffBunny on Mon, Feb 23, 2009, at 10:16 AM
  • FluffBunny:

    While I can't speak for this branch specifically, I am aware of other crisis center branches that have done worse and actually pass on false medical information.

    This includes saying fetuses feel pain at a time when we know they have no organized neural activity, and that abortions lead to breast cancer - the National Cancer Institute says no! http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Risk/abortion-miscarriage

    -- Posted by boilerup on Mon, Feb 23, 2009, at 11:20 AM
  • Unless you are involved in a church that supports a pregnancy center, or know someone who has visited one, you probably know very little about the numerous amount of support these centers provide.

    The CareNet Pregnancy Center is funded by donations and staffed with volunteers. The only full time paid employee is generally the Director and assistant director. They are non-medical!

    Now...let's really look at what our local center does. They have pregnancy testing and counseling for the expectant mother and their families. They have an "Earn while you learn" program that provides education to single or new mothers on how to be better parents and provide appropriate incentives to do so. They provide maternity clothes for expectant mothers. They provide information on breast feeding and child care. They *gasp* teach about abstinence. They give free baby supplies to mothers. They help with after-abortion counseling. They give accurate information about pregnancy, fetal development, life-style issues, and related concerns. The pregnancy center does not provide abortion or referrals for abortion, but are committed to offering accurate information about all abortion procedures and risks. Well...geez to me it sounds like these people must be horrible! They teach abstinence and don't do abortions. Let's shut them down.

    -- Posted by gcastleparent on Mon, Feb 23, 2009, at 2:38 PM
  • For those of you who have posted horrible comments about the CPC,maybe you should put all of your negativity elsewhere and keep your mouths shut and your comments to yourself. Why be so judgemental? Why throw pop shots? That is unfair. Until you are in the position that some of those women have been in you just have no clue. How can you sit there and call these people horrible and want to shut them down? Do you think that there shouldn't be help out there for those that need it? I bet you are one of those who "bash" people on welfare too....aren't you? CPC is doing a great service to the community and they deserve kudos.

    -- Posted by churchmouse on Mon, Feb 23, 2009, at 6:11 PM
  • No one in this discussion has suggested that support programs should be shut down.

    I'm only suggesting that they try to be honest and not deliberately misleading, which can be detrimental to women's health.

    The House of Representatives committee on Government Reform recommended against further federal funding for non-medical "pregnancy resource centers" because:

    "Pregnant teenagers and women turn to federally funded pregnancy resource centers for advice and counseling at a difficult time in their lives. These centers, however, frequently fail to provide medically accurate information. The vast majority of pregnancy centers contacted in this investigation misrepresented the medical consequences of abortion, often grossly exaggerating the risks. This tactic may be effective in frightening pregnant teenagers and women and discouraging abortion. But it denies the teenagers and women vital health information, prevents them from making an informed decision, and is not an accepted public health practice."

    Source: http://oversight.house.gov/documents/20060717101140-30092.pdf (PDF)

    I know several other women who have entered similar centers, believing that real medical advice existed behind the door. Some were presented inaccurate, misleading advice by people untrained in medicine.

    Care Net's website cites the following mission:

    "The mission of Care Net is to promote a culture of life through the delivery of valuable, life-affirming, evangelistic ministry to people facing unplanned pregnancies and related sexual issues. We carry out this mission by supporting the largest network of pregnancy centers in North America and by operating the Option Line call center and website that assist women in need around the clock.

    Our vision is to help build a culture of life in which every pregnant woman is offered the support she needs to choose life for her unborn baby. We also envision a future where people will be transformed by the Gospel and desire to live out their lives in accordance with God's design for sexuality.

    We know that none of these positive changes can occur unless we are first committed to sharing the love, hope, and truth of Jesus Christ, both in word and deed. In the words of Isaiah 61, Care Net and its network of pregnancy centers are truly committed to sharing the Good News, caring for the brokenhearted, and bringing gladness to those who despair."

    Source: http://www.care-net.org/aboutus/mission.php

    Will this mission be posted on the Greencastle center's door, to give potential clients the complete information they deserve, before they walk inside?

    -- Posted by FluffBunny on Mon, Feb 23, 2009, at 10:35 PM
  • "Will this mission be posted on the Greencastle center's door, to give potential clients the complete information they deserve, before they walk inside?"

    Yes, they never hide who they are. And I know, they actually value life and the woman who walks in, and teach about the dangers of promiscuity. If that is your critique of them, why, that's nothing more than a compliment.

    They don't give misinformation. They don't act like they are doctors. They just choose to value life over "choice", and you personally have a problem with that and therefore are trying to bash a center you have never once visited yourself.

    -- Posted by cloverfan on Tue, Feb 24, 2009, at 8:01 AM
  • If the clinic clearly states their mission on the front door, explaining that those who enter "will be transformed by the Gospel and desire to live out their lives in accordance with God's design for sexuality" (whatever that is, and generally varies from church to church), and that volunteers intend to share "the love, hope, and truth of Jesus Christ, both in word and deed" I will applaud the organization for the work they do, and their honesty and candor.

    That said, may I recommend that the organization considers adopting a new name that is more descriptive of the mission... one that doesn't suggest to women that professional medical advice exists within?

    -- Posted by FluffBunny on Tue, Feb 24, 2009, at 8:33 AM
  • I have been to the CPC, and never have I seen anything claiming to give medical advice, nor is there any literature about false medical advice. Until you've been there, you don't know. Shelly and the staff are there to treat the emotional, mental, and spiritual side of an unplanned pregnancy, and encourage prental visits with licensed, board certified OB-GYN's. No one in that office gives licensed medical advice and no one claims to do so.

    Geez people, get off your butts and visit the center before assuming... or better yet, talk to a client that has had the counseling (either that has had a baby or an abortion because they offer both services, none of which are medically based but support the emotionality of the issue).

    -- Posted by MsBehaving on Tue, Feb 24, 2009, at 8:45 AM
  • Churchmouse:

    I assume by your comment that you are speaking about my comment...if you read my comment again you will read that I am being facetious, apparently you didn't understand that. I wholehardly support their mission...and I think it's small minded that people really think this organization is purposely trying to misinform women. I laugh out loud at Fluffbunny's comment that they are "masked behind deceptive, pseudo-medical names that could easily delay essential medical care". The last time I checked "care" was a verb, like to be concerned about someone, feel affection and concern for someone or something, or as a noun it could mean upkeep or careful attention to. CareNet is a meaningful organization to this community and I wish them a very successful banquet...I will be there with my checkbook in hand.

    -- Posted by gcastleparent on Tue, Feb 24, 2009, at 9:16 AM
  • FluffBunny,

    I am really confused as how you perceive the name of the organization "CareNet Pregnancy Center" to be misleading clients to believing that there are medical professionals in their facility? To me, it suggests that there are caring individuals there to assist you?! Maybe it's just me...or maybe it is YOU?!

    -- Posted by Greencastle7 on Tue, Feb 24, 2009, at 9:39 AM
  • Wow, hard to understand all the animosity for a volunteer organization serving people who choose to accept their kindness. It is funded by donation. So, if you don't like the mission, don't donate. No one said it was the only avenue for women to find assistance, it's just another tool in the drawer.

    -- Posted by countyboy on Thu, Feb 26, 2009, at 1:26 PM
  • Just over 12 years ago I went into the CPC. I was 19, newly married and separated and pregnant. The ladies there talked to me and helped me tremendously. I'm still married to the same man, and have 2 other precious children.. They even fallowed up with me a year later. I do not understand how you could feel negative about such an organization. Or confuse them with a Dr. office. But then again some people are never happy unless they are finding ways to bring others down.

    -- Posted by public concern on Mon, Mar 2, 2009, at 12:37 PM
  • I just have to say that whoever has negative things to say about such a place is an idiot.

    They have clothes, advice, formula etc.

    Whats the harm in this?

    Clearly if you have an emergency and are bleeding or in excessive pain the hospital is the place to be. But they make no claims of being a place for delivery or emergencies. They do claim however to be there if you need to talk, learn and basically have a shoulder to lean on. If you want to go there and pray thats cool. If you want to go there and get some clothes or diapers thats cool as well.

    Wal mart sells spark plugs RIGHT?

    So are you saying they should be more up front that they don't also rebuild transmissions.

    Maybe Wal Mart should have a sign (a mile long) that says "hey idiots we sell car parts but we dont rebuild transmissions. Also we sell hairspray but we dont do hair, and we sell lawnmowers but we wont mow your lawn.

    Im sure at the bottom in fine print it would say:

    This notice is for the people who have to be warned about everything because they are to stupid to figure it out on there own.

    Get up out of that chair, get your hand out of that bag of potato chips and do something nice today!

    GOD!!

    PLEASE EXPLAIN TO ME how this place is bad?

    -- Posted by Jeff Lancaster on Mon, Mar 2, 2009, at 4:05 PM
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