Care Net Pregnancy Center offers several services
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.