Loving Choices Pregnancy Centers of NWA

Pictures from Life Walk 2011

2011-09-08T16:05:00.003-05:00

We realize our annual Life Walk took place months ago, but we just received some pictures from the event.

It is always fun to see families come out and show support for Loving Choices. Enjoy the pics!

2011 Banquet Speaker

2011-08-30T11:57:00.002-05:00

Claire Culwell is this year's banquet speaker. She'll share her story at our event on 11.1.11. Here is a brief bio on Claire.

Claire Culwell met her biological mother in March of 2009. Her biological told her that her life was a miracle. Claire's biological mom became pregnant at the age of 13. Her biological mother took her to an abortion clinic where she had a surgical abortion. A few weeks later she realized she was still pregnant so she found an out-of-state late-term abortion clinic to do a second abortion. At the clinic they informed her she had been pregnant with twins . . .ONE WAS ABORTED and ONE SURVIVED. They said it was too late to do a second abortion.

Claire was born two weeks later. She was born two and a half months early. She weighed 3 lbs. 2 oz. and was placed on life support. Her hips had been dislocated and her feet were turned inward - all because of the abortion. She was adopted shortly after birth by an amazing family who she wouldn't trade for the world!

Claire now tells her story and speaks up for the unborn so that they can receive the same gift of LIFE she has! She shares her story of survival at many churches and pro-life events and was recently featured in an interview with Focus on the Family. Claire's life is a miracle and true testimony that God has plans for each and every person. The only explanation for Claire's survival is God's mercy and love.

Loving Choices Fall Banquet 11.1.11

2011-08-19T13:00:00.005-05:00

Loving Choices Prayer Team

2011-08-19T12:37:00.002-05:00

Are you interested in serving Loving Choices? We have a huge need for prayer support on a daily basis. We have a team of prayer warriors that lift up LC in prayer every month. Would you be intereseted in joining this team?

It's simple! Just email info@lovingchoices.org and let us know you want to join the prayer team. You will then receive monthly emails with our current prayer requests. We ocassionaly send "emergency" prayer requests if we have a time sensitive situation that needs prayer.

Life Walk '11 for Loving Choices

2011-06-08T13:03:00.001-05:00

It is not too late to sign up! We need YOUR participation!

Life Choices in Joplin

2011-06-08T12:55:00.002-05:00

The news of the recent Joplin, MO tornado left everyone heartbroken for the Joplin community. The devastation hits close to home! Loving Choices has a great relationship with Life Choices Medical Clinic and Resource Center. We immediately called to see how we could help. Thankfully their center was not hit by the tornado. However, they are now serving the community in a whole new way. They are the donation hub for baby items. They are also sharing their center with several local doctors that lost clinics.

So, we made a trip up to Joplin and donated a truck load of diapers. Our donation is just a drop in the bucket. They've had so many material donations and have now run out of space. It is amazing to see how the nation has provided for Life Choices! We will continue to stay in touch and do our best to help their center!

Please continue to keep Joplin and Life Choices in your prayers!

Diaper Drives for Loving Choices

2011-05-19T11:17:00.004-05:00

Life Way Christian School recently collected diapers and wipes for Loving Choices. A student from LWCS brought the donations to Loving Choices. She had to come by herself because her car was COMPLETELY FULL of diapers. The total count was over 2,000 diapers and 4,000 wipes.

Offering diapers and wipes to LC clients in our CARE Center helps us meet their material needs. This can make a huge difference in the life of a client.

UBC Work Day @ Fayetteville

2011-05-19T11:14:00.003-05:00

A work group from University Baptist Church performed an "extreme makeover" on our lawn and flower beds in Fayetteville. We are so thankful for the donation of time, hard work, and plants to make our landscaping beautiful.

THANK YOU!!!!

Latest Arrivals in 2011!

2011-05-19T11:03:00.009-05:00

Take a look at these sweet faces...full of LIFE!

Life Walk '11 for Loving Choices

2011-04-26T15:49:00.004-05:00

Join Loving Choices as we host our third annual Life Walk at ARVEST Ball Park on June 11th. Registration is at 8:30 a.m. The walk begins at 9:00 a.m.

We would love for you to get involved. Our goal? To enlist 200 walkers that will find their own sponsors. Click HERE to sign up online!

There are several ways to get involved...

1. Be a WALKER
It's easy! All ages are welcome. Sign up online by clicking REGISTER and create your own personal fundraising page. You can use the easy online system to find sponsors as well. If you raise $200 you receive a FREE TEE SHIRT.

Questions about being a walker? Visit Life Walk '11 Website for more information.

Top walker will win a weekend getaway at Aloft Hotel in Rogers. Other prizes will be announced in May.

2. RECRUIT walkers
A recruiter agrees to recruit ten (10) people from their church, workplace or neighborhood to be walkers.

3. SPONSOR a registered walker

Each walker's goal is to raise $200 so every dollar counts.

Life Walk '11 is a fun, easy, family-friendly way to help our ministry as we offer hope to women and their unborn children.

STD/STI Testing

2011-03-28T12:47:00.005-05:00

Loving Choices offers FREE and CONFIDENTIAL STD/STI testing and treatment. We launched the program in June 2009. Since then, we have seen significant growth.

In February 2011, LC served 35 clients with STD testing. This is a huge increase from last year. In 2010 we averaged 14 clients/month.

42% of LC clients recieve postive results for one or more STIs. Through our free services we are able to educate young women on the risks of being sexually active.

Baby Showers for Loving Choices

2011-03-01T11:25:00.004-06:00

We love it when supporters of Loving Choices serve our ministry in tangible ways. Recently, we've been blessed with baby items given to LC through baby showers hosted by supporters.

Two students from Prairie Grove High School, Shelby Walker and Samantha Roper, hosted a diaper drive at their school. With the support of their teacher, Mandy Hunt, these young ladies were able to collect over 3,000 diapers for Loving Choices clients. Is that not AMAZING!!!

First Baptist Church of Lincoln also chose to support Loving Choices through a baby shower. They hosted a shower last week complete with cake and punch! We were literally showered with baby items by this church. They were so generous! Take a look at all the goodies!

Most people don't realize how important baby items are to our clients. As they come to our Care Center and clients are equipped with knowledge and baby items. These items are not given to clients; they are earned by clients. Each year over 30,000 diapers are earned by clients participating in the program.

Upcoming Events @ Loving Choices

2011-03-01T11:19:00.002-06:00

Save the Date! Loving Choices has three major fundraising events every year. Here are the dates for 2011

1. Baby Bottle Campaign - May 8th @ Churches across Northwest Arkansas
2. Life Walk '11 - June 11th @ Arvest Ballpark in Springdale
3. Loving Choices Fall Banquet - November 1st @ Northwest AR Convention Center

Mark you calendar and plan to be a part of these wonderful events!

Want more info? email Jan@lovingchoices.org

Sanctity of Human Life

2011-01-29T09:33:00.000-06:00

Loving Choices Video 2010: Daniella's Story

2011-01-29T09:30:00.002-06:00

Loving Choices from Cross Church on Vimeo.

Staff Spotlight - Chris Parker

2010-10-24T22:36:00.003-05:00

My name is Chris Parker and I am the client manager at the Rogers center. I started volunteering almost 3 years ago when my family moved to Bentonville. I have been on staff for 1 year this October. I have been married for 11 years (Oct 9th), to Mike. He is the Director of Operations for Sonic-Drive-In. We have a son Albert (23) who lives in Ill. and a son Mitch (17) who will graduate from Bentonville this May. We attend Solid Rock Missionary Baptist Church, which we are very active with the youth and much more.

I enjoy working out with friends, taking pictures and spending time with my family. Working and volunteering at Loving Choices is something I've always wanted to do since I was a teen mom myself. I am able to understand what the girls are going through. The Lord has blessed me in many ways, and I want to show that love to the girls that come to our center.

Staff Spotlight - Ann Topping

2010-09-21T14:05:00.003-05:00

I was born and grew up in Cowdenbeath, Fife Scotland. I am married with 4 children and 9 grandchildren.
I did my nursing training in Kirkcaldy, Scotland.
I became a Christian when I was 10 yrs. old and felt God’s call to foreign missionary service during my nursing training.
I spent 2 yrs. at a Missionary Training College in Glasgow, Scotland then 1 yr. of language study in Albertville France.
I served in Senegal, West Africa for 11 yrs. and was married there to my husband Gordon who is from Glasgow, Scotland. We served the Lord together there and 3 of our 4 children were born there. I operated a rural clinic in Senegal for some of the time and we were involved in evangelism and church planting.
When we returned to Scotland I went back to hospital nursing and Gordon pastured a church there. In 1988 God called us to the U.S.A and for 19 yrs. I was a pastor’s wife in Pine Bluff Ar. while working in CCU at the hospital there. I also worked in home health and hospice for a while.
I was involved in the Hope Center, in Pine Bluff, with their Women of Integrity Program.
My husband and I retired in 2007 and moved to NWA. I became involved with Loving Choices last year and volunteered in the Care Center. In Feb. this year I accepted the post of Nurse Manager in the Rogers Clinic. I count it a privilege to serve the Lord here.

Staff Spotlight - Jan Hixson

2010-09-01T11:03:00.001-05:00

Jan Hixson is the Director of Development at LC. Her role includes fundraising events, community involvement and public relations. Her affiliation with Loving Choices began two years ago as a volunteer peer counselor in the Rogers center. She became the Rogers Site Director and filled that position for 18 months.

Jan enjoys spending time with her husband and two grown sons. When she’s not working she can be found in her sewing room working on a quilt or in her yard enjoying her flowers—usually with her golden retriever at her heels. Jan is a native Texan but a Razorback at heart.

Staff Spotlight - Suzanne Morris

2010-08-30T11:08:00.003-05:00

I am so excited to be the new Care Director at the Fayetteville location. It’s my job to manage the care center which includes two counseling rooms and the boutique. My first day on the job I realized that without the volunteers we could not fulfill our ministry’s goals. I’ve been learning about our curriculum and current clients through my volunteers. We are excited to gain new clients and begin Bible Study classes for new moms soon.

Personal information: I’ve been married to Jack for 22 years and I have two children. My daughter, Morgan is 18 and a freshman at John Brown University in Siloam Springs. My son, Casey is 14 and an 8th grader at Woodland Jr. High in Fayetteville. My family has the sweetest dog named Buddie. Some of my favorite activities include: reading, fishing and boating. I am a novice scrapbooker. Also, I am passionate about Women’s Bible Study!

2010 Fall Banquet for Loving Choices

2010-08-24T11:13:00.003-05:00

Please make plans to be a part of the 2010 Fall banquet for Loving Choices. You can host a table or come as a guest.

Our goal is to find 90 table hosts for this year's event!

Sign up:
Click Here

More information:
Click Here

Questions:
Email Jan@lovingchoices.org

Staff Spotlight - Sarah Autry

2010-08-24T11:09:00.003-05:00

My name is Sarah Autry and I am the Client Manager at Loving Choices in Fayetteville. In the spring of 2009 I graduated from the University of Arkansas with my bachelors in Elementary Education and in the May of 2010 I graduated with my Master in Arts of Teaching degree from the University of Arkansas as well. I have been married to my husband, Garland, for a year and a half and we have no kids, but we do have one very hyper puppy named Bosco! I love Italian food, leading a bible study for high school girls, and rollerblading with Bosco.

God called me to begin volunteer counseling with Loving Choices clients about eight months ago and I fell in love with the girls who so desperately needed Him in their lives. My job at Loving Choices is to orientate clients with our services, match them with a peer counselor, and offer them community resources. I also manage clients who contact us with questions about our center or services by phone or internet. I love my job and feel so blessed to be a part of this wonderful ministry!

Staff Spotlight - Caroline Rhoads

2010-08-23T15:12:00.002-05:00

Hello! My name is Caroline Rhoads and I am the Executive Director for Loving Choices. I've worked for LC since March of 2008. I started as the Public Relations Coordinator then I became the Director of Development. In September of 2009 I became the Executive Director. Loving Choices is very near and dear to my heart. I love being able to work for a ministry that serves women and children with the love of Christ. It is my job as the ED to make sure daily operations at each center are running smoothly. I also serve as the liaison between the board and the staff of Loving Choices.

I enjoy spending time with family and friends. I've been married to my husband, Nick, for 2 years. We just became parents to a black lab, Mallie Mae. We are very involved in our church, Fellowship Bible in Rogers.

Fireworks Show to Benefit Loving Choices

2010-06-18T10:06:00.004-05:00

Hi Friends of Loving Choices! We have an exciting opportunity to share with you. This Sunday night, June 20th, Riverside Fireworks is hosting an event for Loving Choices.

Join us for free food, free fireworks show, and lots of activities. Fireworks will be on sale throughout the evening and a percentage of the sales will go to Loving Choices.

Details...
The event starts at 6:00 and will last until 10:00pm with the fireworks show beginning at dusk. It will be held at Riverside fireworks 14 miles west of I-540 on HWY 412 just shy of Siloam Springs.

If you are interested in volunteering at this event please email Courtney@lovingchoices.org.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Loving Choices and Doing Good Works in NWA

2010-05-25T07:56:00.008-05:00

Loving Choices was featured in the KNWA series "Doing Good Works" on KNWA today. The story highlighted a client named Sam, a long time volunteer Stephanie and our Executive Director, Caroline Rhoads.

The story showcased Sam's path at Loving Choices and the partnership we form with clients as they face the overwhelming decisions that come with a crisis pregnacy.

This opporunity allowed Loving Choices to reach out to the NWA community and share our ministry with others.

Check out the story at:
http://nwahomepage.com/doinggood-fulltext/?nxd_id=165666

Last Day for Stuff the Sante Fe!

2010-05-17T10:12:00.002-05:00

Join us today at Kent Dobbs Hyundai from 11-1 and bring your diapers to help STUFF THE SANTE FE!!!! Thanks to KLRC for hosting this diaper drive!

For more detials visit:
http://klrc.com/Article.asp?id=1778831

2010 Baby Bottle Campaign Update

2010-05-11T13:30:00.011-05:00

Loving Choices has received overwhelming support for the 2010 Baby Bottle Campaign. Over 40 church partners are currently participating in the Baby Bottle Campaign.

Baby Bottle Campaign is fun and easy to do and offers great awareness of Loving Choices in local churches.

What is Baby Bottle Campaign? It is were local churches open their door to Loving Choices by passing out baby bottles after a weekly service and ask the congression to fill those baby bottles with checks, change or cash and return them to the church in two to three weeks

Promotion for the Campaign? Loving Choices provides each church with a promotion DVD about the minsitry and campaign to show during service time and the minsitry also has bulletin inserts each church can us. Check out the video...

Church Partners for 2010:
• 1st Church of the Nazarene- Rogers *
• Bella Vista Baptist Church
• Bella Vista Christian Church
• Bella Vista Church of Christ
• Bentonville 7th Day Adventist Church
• Brightwater Methodist Church
• Bruch Creek Baptist Church
• Calvary Chapel
• The Church @ Pinnacle Hills
• Covenant Church
• Elmdale Baptist Church
• Fellowship Bible Church- Rogers (Sat & Sun Services)
• First Assembly of God Springdale
• First Baptist Church- Farmington
• First Baptist Church- Prairie Grove
• First Baptist Church- Rogers*
• First Baptist Church Springdale
• Freedom Fellowship Church- Tonitown
• Grace Baptist Church*
• Holy Trinity Lutheran Church
• Immanuel Baptist- Rogers
• Lakeside Baptist Church- Bentonville
• Lakeview Baptist Church- Cave Springs
• Legacy Baptist Church
• Life Connection Church- Rogers
• Mission Baptist Church- MO
• New Hope Assembly of God*
• New Hope Fellowship Church- Springdale
• Rogers Christian Church
• Rogers Wesleyan Church
• Salem Lutheran Church- Springdale
• Sang Avenue Baptist Church
• Solid Rock Church- Rogers
• St. Gabriel's Anglican Church
• St. Joe- Fayetteville
• St. Joseph- Tontitown
• The Church of Arkansas
• The Church of Today
• The Grove Church- Fayetteville
• Trinity Grace Presbyterian Church
• United Lutheran
• University Baptist Church*

Life Walk '10 for Loving Choices

2010-05-04T12:28:00.008-05:00

On June 12th we will host the 2nd Annual Life Walk for Loving Choices. We launched this fundraiser for the first time in 2009 to help fund our new STD Testing Program. We need this fundraiser to sustain the program.

People often ask "What is your biggest need right now at Loving Choices?" Right now our biggest need are recruiters for our Life Walk.

It's simple...all you have to do is commit to recruiting 10 people to participate in our Life Walk. Those 10 walkers will find sponsors. Just think, if we a total of 200 walkers raised $200 each that would be $40,000 for Loving Choices. Wow!

So we are asking YOU to get involved! Sign up to be a walk recruiter! Help Loving Choices continue offering FREE and CONFIDENTIAL services to women in crisis!

To sign up or get more information click here OR email Courtney@lovingchoices.org.

NWA's Largest Baby Shower

2010-04-27T13:31:00.018-05:00

Loving Choices is proud to be partnering with KLRC and Kent Dobbs in throwing NWA's Largest Baby Shower. "Stuff the Santa Fe" is a community-wide effort and "diaper drive" for Loving Choices and New Beginnings to support our clients who choose to parent.

Diapers can be dropped off from April 26th to May 14th at either Kent Dobbs locations in Springdale or Bentonville. Diapers can also be donated at either Loving Choices locations in Rogers or Fayetteville. For directions to the Loving Choices Centers go to http://www.lovingchoices.org/.

Loving Choices Care Center program is for clients who have choosen to parent their babies or to make an adoption plan. As part of "Earn While You Learn Care Program" clients earn "mommy bucks" to spend in the Loving Choices Mommy Boutique. The Earn While You Learn Program teaches valuable life and parenting skills for our parents-to-be.

Diapers are a core item in a babies life and by donating to the "Stuff the Santa Fe" you can help our clients in their decision to choose life.

To learn more about the Diaper Drive check out the KLRC page at: http://www.klrc.com/ .

Listen to our broadcast on KLRC!

Fayetteville Care Center Update

2010-04-14T15:19:00.005-05:00

The Fayetteville Care Center is currently serving 26 clients on a weekly basis.

Client Demographics:

3 are married (12%)

10 are living with their boyfriend or the father of the baby (38%)

13 are single (50%)

What are these clients learning?

All clients are participating in our Earn While You Learn Curriculum.

7 Clients are particpating in Bible Studies

6 Clients are involved with intense counseling due to past abuse or trauma

4 Clients are involved with an age 15 and under mom-to-be group

We are so excited to see progress in lives of the women at Loving Choices. For more information on our Care Centers or how to get involved email us at info@lovingchoices.org.

An Update from our Rogers Care Center

2010-04-13T12:05:00.006-05:00

Currently our Rogers Care Center is serving 32 clients a week.
Client Demographics:

9 are single (28%)

9 are married (28%)

14 are living with boyfriend (43%)

What are our clients learning?

3 are going through Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace University

18 are doing the Bible Study and/or Earn While You Learn

4 are doing Earn While You Learn only

2 are doing Norm Wright’s book on Communication with their boyfriends

4 are new clients that will soon choose a study or curriculum

Our Care Centers give Loving Choices an opportunity to support our clients on a weekly basis. We are able to help meet our clients' spiritual needs, emotional needs, and material needs with one program. It allows an opportunity for Loving Choices to be a long term, positive influence in the lives of our clients. We are so grateful for the progress we are seeing in these women. If you would like to support this program you can do so by joining our prayer team or providing baby items for the care center. For more information you can visit our website or email info@lovingchoices.org.

A Special Gift!

2010-04-02T11:43:00.005-05:00

Loving Choices was privileged this month to have Blaire Perry of Blaire Perry Photography donate her time and talent to our clients. Our Care Center Directors were able to hand select several hard working clients to have professional pictures taken by Blaire.

Blaire has been so wonderful and sweet to work with our clients and give them a gift that will last a lifetime. Most of clients cannot afford professional pictures so this is a huge gift to them. She was able to capture the individual beauty of our clients and their babies. A picture really is worth 1000 words!

THANK YOU BLAIRE PERRY PHOTOGRAPHY!!!

blaireperryphotography.com

Come See Loving Choices Join Us at the Open House

2010-03-08T13:37:00.006-06:00

Uplifting Client Story

2010-03-01T15:28:00.008-06:00

One of our volunteers in the Care Center has been meeting on a regular basis with a client who was sexually abused in the past. Our volunteer encouraged the client to study a book called "The Path to Sexual Healing". She has recently completed the study.

At the end of the book it asks the client to mark the statements that are true for her and our client chose each of the following:
• I have come to know God.
• I have come to know his love.
• I now know that God is perfect
• I can trust his love for me.
• I have come to trust him with my past
• I have put my trust in God’s ways
• I have experienced his healing
• I believe his promises
• I feel safe in his holy presence.
• I have found a place of rest for my soul
• I now know where I have been sexually wounded
• I understand how the things I learned about sex as a child have affected me
• I understand the effect of the trauma I have experienced
• I have changed my mind about sex
• I have opened my heart to God’s plan for my sexuality
• I have changed my old clothes (attitudes and behaviors) and put on his new ones.
• I have turned around and I am going a new way.

The volunteer counselor who is meeting with her has seen a change in her and this client has verbalized, “I want to become more like Christ.” Now that’s exciting!!!! Please celebrate this wonderful story of Hope, Healing the power of Jesus Christ with us.

New Event Planning Committee

2010-02-22T15:01:00.012-06:00

Calling All Loving Choices Ambassadors: Special New Event Planning Committee

Who: Anyone interested in being an advocate for Loving Choices and enjoys planning events! We have three major events coming up: Spring Open House, 2010 Baby Bottle Campaign and the 2nd Annual Life Walk. We need volunteers on the new event planning steering committee to help with planning and implementing.

What: Informational Meeting to learn more about the new committee and how you can play a key role

When: Two chances to join
• Tuesday March 2nd at 5:30 PM- Fayetteville Location
• Thursday, March 4th, 2010 at 5:30 PM- Rogers Location

Where: Loving Choices Office in Rogers is located at 801 South 7th Street Rogers, AR 72758 and Loving Choices Office in Fayetteville is located at 275 South Duncan Street Fayetteville, AR 72703.

Why: We need you! Your ideas and talents are valuable tools to the ministry. Loving Choices was founded on the backbone of volunteerism. Come be a part of helping us raise God’s resources to encourage women to chose life!

Please RSVP to Courtney Palfreeman at 479-521-6677 ext. 106 or courtney@lovingchoices.org

Can't make it to one of the meetings? That's okay...just email Courtney and let her know.

Come take a walk with me. See Loving Choices face to face.

2010-02-12T12:22:00.007-06:00

As a child I learned very fast that I am a visual learner. Ideas, concepts, theories, equations all come to life for me once I see them on screen or paper. My passion for Loving Choices came about the same way. I knew we were a crisis pregnancy center, offering hope and support to girls facing one of the most frightening experiences of their lives. I understood the concept of the Care Center, the Mommy Boutique and the STD program. For me, it took seeing the center personally, the look, the feel, the hope being shared daily to transform my luke-warm interest to a life affirming passion. I experienced the unending compassion, love and care for clients which made me, quite simply, fall in love. I fell in love with the ministry of Loving Choices, I put a face to my passion.

I learned firsthand what a counseling room looked like and soaked up the warmth radiating from each room. I read all the details in a positive and negative pregnancy test packet, and how it’s contents affect the decisions each client is faced with. I got a true feel of the ultrasound room and grasped what a huge resource one machine is to the preservation of life. I walked through the care center, saw mommy bucks, reviewed resource material and got mushy over size 0-3 month pink pj’s. I saw the House of Hope Loving Choices is daily to a thousand girls in NWA each year. So I want to encourage you to do the same thing. Come take a walk with me and see our vision. As we begin 2010 I want to personally invite you to be a part of a new campaign we are launching called “The Path of a Client” and see what God is doing daily for our clients.

Starting in February our centers will be open for tours on Monday-Thursday by appointment. Tour schedules will be before or after our clinic hours early morning or after work to ensure client confidentiality. Tours will be one hour and will include time for questions and answers plus tons of resourceful information about Loving Choices. Become a Loving Choices Ambassadors simply by bringing friends, family, or community leaders to learn about our ministry. Invite your community group, small group or special interest group you are involved with to join you. You can help us spread the good news about what God is doing in Northwest Arkansas. Sign up today by e-mailing me, Courtney Palfreeman, at courtney@lovingchoices.org or by calling 479-631-6677.

Sanctity of Human Life Video

2010-01-28T15:50:00.003-06:00

Open House for LC at the Baby's Room in Rogers

2009-12-09T22:27:00.003-06:00

The Baby’s Room in Rogers is having an Open House this Saturday, 10:00 am - 5:00 pm. Anyone who brings a donation for Loving Choices Care Center to the store will be able to enter their name in a drawing for a prize from the Baby’s Room.

The LC Care Centers are asking for baby toiletries, diapers, wipes, hooded bath towels, and new or gently used baby clothes size 0-12 months.

Stephanie Adler from the Baby's Room writes,

Please be our guest... enjoy hot cocoa and treats while you shop. Bring an item to donate to Loving Choices and receive an entry to win some of our fabulous door prizes!
Also take advantage of SALES TAX PAID with a minumum of 3 items donated. We know you are happy to shop for your child, and thought it would be nice to help out ladies in crisis situations. Together we can make the holidays a little brighter for everyone.

You can contact The Baby's Room at (479) 631-6001 and visit them at 2700 W Walnut St in Rogers, AR.

Thanks in advance!

Loving Choices Needs Your End-of-Year Support

2009-12-07T10:43:00.003-06:00

Most of you reading this blog have been faithful in the past and privileged to steward significant giving into the Lord's kingdom through Loving Choices. It is our desire that you will know how very thankful we are for all that you have done. Without your support our ministry would not be healthy and able to serve the hundreds of women in need.

In fact, this year we have served over 700 women and have made an impact that is eternal. Lives of unborn children have been saved. Lives of hurting mothers have been changed. Our community is healthier because of the work at Loving Choices. The Lord has been given full credit because HE is the leader of this ministry.

It has been a wonderful year at Loving Choices and we have grown and expanded in so many ways. God has provided so much in 2009, but looking forward we still have financial needs.

In order to remain financially healthy in 2010 we need your help. Please know that the Loving Choices will be making some major cutbacks in 2010, but even with those cutbacks we still have needs. It is our prayer that God will provide the funds needed for the coming year. God ALWAYS provides.

Please consider how you may help Loving Choices continue to serve young women and save the lives of unborn babies. It is so important for Loving Choices to be financially healthy so we can stand in the gap for these women and children.

If you choose to securely donate your gift online, we can take Visa/MasterCard or a "virtual" check (simply information from your checks typed in online). All donations are tax-deductible and will be deeply appreciated. If you choose to mail your gift, please send it to Loving Choices, 801 S. 7th Street, Rogers, AR 72756.

Thanking you in advance,

Caroline Rhoads
Executive Director
Loving Choices Pregnancy Centers of NWA

and

John Flowers
Chairman of the Board
Loving Choices Pregnancy Centers of NWA

Grant for STD Testing Awarded to Loving Choices

2009-11-20T17:48:00.013-06:00

Loving Choices is thrilled to announce that we will soon be expanding our STD/STI testing program in 2010 because we have been awarded a restricted grant from the Blue and You Foundation for a Healthier Arkansas.

This grant, restricted to STD testing only, will allow us to add two new tests to our current offerings: Herpes and Trichomoniasis. These two new tests will be offered for free, identical to our other tests.

Our STD/STI testing program has proven to be a wonderful way to build relationships with "At Risk" women in the community. We are able to meet the needs of our clients with this program and be a positive influence in their lives.

CHECK US OUT ON THE NEWS: http://nwahomepage.com/content/video/?cid=136351

Want more info on our STD testing program? Visit us at http://www.lovingchoices.org/stdtesting.htm.

We are praising God for his faithfulness to this ministry!

Help Loving Choices win a Cash Award

2009-11-20T17:39:00.003-06:00

HELP US WIN A CASH AWARD! VOTE LOVING CHOICES AS 3W's "FAVORITE CHARITY"!

Let's do it again! Because of you, in 2008 Loving Choices was honored with the "favorite charity" award and a $3,000 donation from 3W Magazine.

We would love to win this award again this year. We need your help! You can support Loving Choices by voting for us.

VOTE here https://3wmagazine.wufoo.com/forms/z7x4z5/ and nominate Loving Choices for "Favorite Charity."

OR, you can e-mail your vote to vote@3wmagazine.com.

THANK YOU SO MUCH!!

Need Baby Clothes ASAP

2009-11-18T19:59:00.002-06:00

The Loving Choices Rogers Care Center is in need of baby clothes.

Jennifer, Care Center Director said, "We are in great need of size 0 – 12 months girl winter clothes. What we have on the rack now is all we have. If you know anyone with babies, please spread the word!"

All you need to do is drop off your donation at either location, Fayetteville or Rogers, and we will give you a receipt for tax purposes. Click here for directions and office hours.

Questions? Email Jennifer at jennifer@lovingchoices.org.

Thanks in advance!

Need a Spanish-speaking Peer Counselor

2009-11-15T13:46:00.002-06:00

We have an urgent plea out to you, our commuinty, for a Spanish-speaking peer counselor. Our wonderful bilingual volunteer peer counselor is moving away and this is leaving an entire segment of our client population unserved.

Do you speak Spanish? Would you be willing to volunteer in the Rogers office using this skill? We need you!

Contact Jan, site director at Rogers, at jan@lovingchoices.org if you have any interest or have any leads for us to follow.

Thank you!

Party Pics from Banquet

2009-11-09T17:31:00.003-06:00

We'd love to see your party pics from banquet! Upload them to Facebook and let us know with a wall post!

Speakers Dr. Tony & Ceil Levatino, New ED Caroline Rhoads, Advisory Board Member Susan Duke, Master of Ceremonies Don Soderquist, Former ED Catherine Arnsperger, Advisory Board Member Sister Anita DeSalvo, Board Member Debby Thompson (Photo Courtesy NWA Morning News)

View "A Safe Place - Claire's Story"

2009-11-03T21:56:00.010-06:00

See the smash hit "A Safe Place - Claire's Story" produced by Northstar Parterning Group summer high school interns and funded by The Harvest Group.

This video was debuted at the 2009 Banquet and was critical in communicating our message and how Loving Choices operates.

Check it out today...

Having trouble seeing it here? Check it out on our lovingchoices.org website.

Job Opening at Fayetteville Office

2009-11-02T15:28:00.004-06:00

Loving Choices is currently looking for a Site Director at the Fayetteville Center, a paid, part-time position. This is a 22 hour per week role that has regular hours three days a week. This role requires dependability, attention to detail, and the ability to multi-task.

This role would be great for someone who enjoys executing tasks, but is also relationship oriented and energetic. This individual must be a self-starter.

The person must be available to work Monday 9-5, Wednesday & Thursday 10-5.

Primary job duties include:
- Managing the Fayetteville Center Staff
- Recruit, train, and maintain volunteers
- Maintenance and upkeep of the Fayetteville Center
Reports directly to the Executive Director

We need an open, gentle and friendly person who feels comfortable talking to women in need or crisis on the telephone

Comfortable with computers

Flexible personality who can easily multi-task

Able to fill in for the Rogers Site Director when needed

Available to fill in for volunteer peer counselors

Needs to be articulate, fast thinking, always steady and reliable

Passionate about serving women in unplanned pregnancies

Must be 18 or older

Higher education is definitely appreciated but not required

Loving Choices is a Christian, pro-life working environment

If you are interested in the job, please send an electronic resume to Pamela Van Vleet, the current Fayetteville Site Director, at pamela@lovingchoices.org.

We are ONLY accepting ELECTRONIC RESUMES!!!!
Resumes need to be sent in before 11/6. We will contact you for an interview.

Thank you for your interest!

KLRC Promotes Fall Banquet

2009-10-28T11:15:00.002-05:00

Did you hear us on KLRC this morning? It was a reminder to join us at banquet tomorrow night at 6:45 pm at the Northwest Arkansas Convention Center! Don't forget to wear black and white! (More from KLRC: http://www.klrc.com/goout.asp?u=http://klrc.wordpress.com.)

We are expecting 800 people and we'd love to have you. Admission is free but you MUST RSVP ahead of time. RSVP via email at info@lovingchoices.org or sign up online at http://www.supportlc.org/.

Can't wait to see you there!

Banquet Countdown

2009-10-20T12:44:00.003-05:00

Banquet is next week on Thursday night! Have YOU signed up to come? We would love to have you come and join the expected crowd of over 700 people!

The speaker will have a fascinating testimony of how he was formerly an abortion doctor and changed how he practiced medicine after a family tragedy. His wife joins him and shares what it was like to be married to a doctor performing abortions.

PS - The receptionist job in Rogers has been filled! Thanks to all of those who applied.

Loving Choices Voted Favorite Non-Profit Organization

2009-10-11T16:51:00.002-05:00

The results are in! Thanks to our wonderful supporters and clients, Loving Choices has been named “Favorite Non-Profit Organization” in the Celebrate Arkansas Magazine 3rd Annual A-List Reader’s choice Survey. We are thrilled to be a part of this great regional list and it is all because of you! Check out the October edition in stores today.

Job Opening at Rogers Office

2009-10-01T09:41:00.002-05:00

Loving Choices has a paid, part-time job opening available. We are looking for a Receptionist for our Rogers Center.

This is a 29 hour per week role that has regular hours four days a week. This role requires dependability, attention to detail, and the ability to multi-task.

This role would be great for someone who enjoys executing tasks, but is also relationship oriented and energetic. This individual must be able to take direction well.

The job description/requirements are as follows:

Available to work Mondays-Thursdays from 10 am - 5 pm.
Primary job duties include answering the telephones, scheduling appointments, welcoming and seating clients until their appointment time, filing, copying and light housekeeping in office.
Reports directly to the Fayetteville Site Director.
Open, gentle and friendly person who feels comfortable talking to women in need or crisis on the telephone.
Comfortable with computers as the entire scheduling system is electronic.
Flexible personality who can easily multi-task.
Able to fill in for the Rogers Site Director when needed.
Willingness to learn to learn to be a peer counselor so that there is always a backup counselor when needed.
Articulate, fast thinking, always steady and reliable are key personality traits needed for this role.
Passionate about serving women in unplanned pregnancies.
Must be 18 or older. Higher education is definitely appreciated but not required.
Loving Choices is a Christian, pro-life working environment.

If you are interested in the job, please send an electronic resume to Jan Hixson, the Rogers Site Director, at jan@lovingchoices.org.

NOTE: We are ONLY accepting ELECTRONIC RESUMES!!!! If you are interested, please email your resume and/or questions to Jan Hixon at jan@lovingchoices.org.

Resumes need to be sent in before 10/5. We will contact you for an interview.

Thank you for your interest!

CitiScapes Vote

2009-09-15T13:40:00.002-05:00

It’s voting time again! We've won before because of YOUR VOTE! We were the runner up for the CitiScapes vote late 2008 and early 2009 because of you! Let’s WIN it this year!

Vote LOVING CHOICES as NWA’s Best Kept Secret!

Click here to vote: http://www.bestofnwar.com

This is an easy way to help Loving Choices be recognized as supported and loved by our community! Every vote counts! Thank you in advance!

Sweet Stories from Clients

2009-09-15T13:36:00.003-05:00

We have two sweet stories to share with you from two of our clients:

One staff member stated: "A client told me several times how much she appreciated Loving Choices. She said she put a Loving Choices brochure in Lawson's baby book. She also said she outfitted her whole nursery except the baby bed and stroller from the mommy boutique. She said since both their parents are gone she especially loved the hand crocheted baby afghans. They mean so much to her b/c she can't buy those anywhere. She also said she loves Cindy, her counselor, and that she feels like she is like a grandma."

And another staff member forwarded part of an email from a client to her peer counselor: "Wow! I am surprise to see that you cared enough to write to me and even offered to pray for me. Thanks and I really do appreciate it. I have been deciding and I was thinking of keeping it. Right now might not be the right time for me to have another one, but it is a 'Gift' from God himself. Being raise in a church, I never thought I would have to think that I was gonna go through abortion. I was taught to never have an abortion, but with everything going on in my life, abortion seems like the only option I have.

However, going through your clinic had totally changed my mind. I was once again reminded of what God has in hand for us. I know He has plans for me and my unborn one. With that kept in mind, I will put my trust in Him. I trust him and know He will lead the way for me. Thank you SO much for everything!! I will return the favor and remember you in my prayers."

LC in the news again!

2009-09-15T13:34:00.002-05:00

Liz Hogan of KNWA made another visit to Loving Choices yesterday. Stephannie Bradley spoke on behalf of Loving Choices about the rise in numbers for STD cases. She did a great job representing Loving Choices.

This was KNWA’s second visit to Loving Choices. We are thankful to have a great working relationship with them!

To watch the clip or read the write up visit: http://nwahomepage.com/content/fulltext_news/?cid=120291

Quick Announcements

2009-08-19T13:24:00.005-05:00

TABLE HOSTS NEEDED
Fall Banquet planning season is here! We are looking to recruit 70 table hosts this year and we NEED YOU!

Would you like to sign up to fill a table of 10 people? There is no cost to you or to your guests as the event is completely paid for by underwriting.

Our featured speakers this year are a former abortion doctor and his wife. The attire will be black & white semi formal.

Sign up online to host at http://www.supportlc.org/.
Questions? Contact Caroline at caroline@lovingchoices.org.

ABORTION RECOVERY ROUND TABLE
Do you work with women who have been touched by abortion?

Are you a teacher, pastor, ministry leader, small group leader, doctor, nurse or counselor?

We welcome you and anyone else who would have an interest in hearing guest speaker Abortion Recovery InterNational founder, Stacy Massey, teach about working with women touched by abortion on SEP 21 from 6-9.

Need more info or to sign up online? http://www.supportlc.org/.

VOLUNTEER NURSES NEEDED
Are you a nurse? Do you have some time to spare to volunteer at Loving Choices?

We are looking for nurses to help draw blood for STD testing as well as nurses who have ultrasound training to join us any day at either office Monday-Thursday from 10-5.

No ultrasound training but have an interest? Let us know.

Interested in Fayetteville? Email Stephannie at stephannie@lovingchoices.org.
Interested in Rogers? Email Jenni at jenni@lovingchoices.org.

FREE Abortion Recovery Round Table Seminar

2009-08-14T09:41:00.005-05:00

Loving Choices is proud to present guest speaker and founder of Abortion Recovery InterNational, Stacy Massey.

Join us for FREE on September 21st from 6 to 9 pm at Fellowship Bible Church's Training Center.*

She will be conducting a seminar/round table for anyone in the community who is interested in learning about the impacts of abortion on not only women but families and communities.

The session will be geared toward people who work with those who have been touched by abortion but will also be useful and interesting for those who have themselves been touched by abortion.

The event is FREE but seating is limited. Reserve your seat online. Join us if you are interested in coming!

Want to invite others? Download this flyer for public distribution.

monday, september 21st - 6:00 to 9:00 pm

fellowship bible church training center

*Loving Choices is the host of this event, not Fellowship Bible Church. Fellowship is kindly supplying the meeting space!

Garage Sale Blessings

2009-08-03T09:26:00.003-05:00

On Saturday, August 1, the hardworking youth group of Legacy Baptist Church (the same church that donated the land on which our new Fayetteville building was built) had a garage sale for Loving Choices and raised $2,242.15!

They had a three car garage, a garage/shop, and a driveway full of goods that they had collected. It was such a blessing to see these young people and their parents serve Loving Choices in that way.

Loving Choices wants to thank all of the hardworking and selfless teens that collected items and put together the garage sale. That donation will be wonderful for us at this time of the year.

THANK YOU!

More than 100 Diapers a Day

2009-07-29T16:14:00.007-05:00

The Loving Choices Care Center is a great service that we are pleased to offer to our clients. Any client that is pregnant and planning to parent the baby or make an adoption plan can participate in the Care Center program.

Clients can attend weekly meetings with our Care Center counselors and earn “mommy bucks” each time. Shopping with “mommy bucks” in our Mommy Boutique allows the clients to "buy" diapers, baby clothes, maternity clothes, and many other baby items.

After realizing how busy the Rogers Care Center is a staff member decided to keep a log of all the items that our clients buy with their mommy bucks. We were shocked at the results! We had no clue that we were providing SO MUCH to these women in need.

Every day at the Rogers Care Center we give out an average of:
- 100 diapers
- 5 Items of Maternity Clothes
- 9 Items of Baby Clothing
- 5 Miscellaneous Items (strollers, car seats, cribs, etc)

Wow! That’s what we thought! 100 diapers a day…and that is just at ONE of our two Care Centers.

This is all made possible by the awesome community in which we live! So many supporters donate baby items to Loving Choices to keep the Care Center up and running. The donations never cease to amaze us. We are so thankful!

If you want more information on how to donate baby items through a baby shower {click here}.

Loving Choices in the News

2009-07-21T19:09:00.006-05:00

Loving Choices has been making the local news regarding our new free and confidential STD testing program!

Check out the wonderful article* in the NWA Times that came out yesterday: http://www.nwarktimes.com/nwat/News/78294/

Also, check out the blurb about our new program from KNWA news station. It was showen yesterday at the 5:00, 6:00, and 10:00 pm evening news. http://nwahomepage.com/content/fulltext_news?cid=106001

* Note: There is a small error in this article. It states that we do not promote abstinence. We do believe in abstinence as it is the 100% foolproof way to avoid pregnancy and STDs. However, we understand that many people do not choose abstinence. Our non-judgmental services are designed to help those who haven't chosen abstinence.

i WILL FLOURISH teen conference

2009-07-14T09:25:00.003-05:00

i will FLOURISH is a conference for teen girls that focuses on love, sex and God’s plan for your love-life. The featured speaker is Shannon Went.

Shannon has her Masters degree in speech communication from Northeast Louisiana University. She uses her unique talents and insight to train presenters to go in to local schools to teach abstinence education through LifeChoices' sex education program, Virtuous Reality: Love Education, as well as to consult with other program directors, nationwide.Shannon co-hosts a write-in radio show titled 'House Calls' with her husband, Dr. Karl Wendt, a marriage and family therapist. They have been married for 25 years and have two daughters.

Find out more at http://support.lovingchoices.org/flourish.html

PS - Don't forget to vote for Loving Choices in the Celebrate Magazine A-List survey!

Vote For Loving Choices!

2009-07-08T17:51:00.004-05:00

Celebrate Magazine's A-List 2009

We've won popularity contests before because of YOUR VOTE! We won the 3W Magazine vote for NWA's Favorite Charity in 2009 and was the runner up for the CitiScapes vote for NWA's Best Kept Secret in late 2008.

Let's do it again!! Vote in the Celebrate Magazine A-List competition for 2009 and help Loving Choices be recognized as supported and loved by our community!

The survey question that we hope you will answer "Loving Choices" is #48. Giving Back (Favorite Local Non-Profit Organization).

The winner will be revealed in the October issue of Celebrate Arkansas Magazine.

VOTE TODAY!

**Try scrolling through the survey to question #48 and only entering our entry if you aren't interested in doing the entire survey.

Bath & Body Works Charitable Donation

2009-06-29T20:36:00.006-05:00

On June 25th, 2009, Loving Choices was given a charitable donation from Bath & Body Works. Bath & Body works had a sales competition on Mother's Day and the store with the most sales won the ability to give a donation to a charity of their choice.

Store Manager Megan Ward, of the Frisco Station Mall in Rogers, and her team won the nationwide contest and Megan selected Loving Choices to win the $1001 donation. The $1001 represents the 1001 products sold at the store.

The award was presented to Loving Choices with key Bath & Body Works representatives present. Thank you, Megan, for choosing Loving Choices! And congratulations to your team for a job well done!

Pictured left to right: Yvonne Stewart - Regional Sales Manager (Dallas, TX), Julie Courcier - District sales Manager (Tulsa, OK), Gale Forester - Sales Leader (Rogers, AR), Amber Dehn - Sales Leader (Rogers, AR), Megan Ward - Store Manager (Rogers, AR), Catherine Arnsperger - LC Executive Director, Caroline Rhoads - LC Director of Development, Traci Sipniewski - LC Development Coordinator, Ron Ford - Zone Vice President (Dallas, TX), Sharon Martin - LC Director of Office Affairs

Part 5: "Did You Know?"

2009-06-25T10:07:00.001-05:00

Concerning our clients, did you know…

…our clients are struggling with the decision making process regarding an unplanned pregnancy or obtaining STD testing and treatment?
…our average client is facing social pressure to make either a hasty or an uninformed decision about her personal reproductive health?
…our clients are seeking medical care or advice regarding her personal reproductive health from a low-profile, confidential clinic because they don’t want people to know about their personal crises?
…our most “at-risk” woman is one who is on the college education track, comes from a home of “faith” and is concerned with the negative image that may result from an unwed pregnancy?
…our average client is aged between 15 and 24 but we see woman as old as 40+ and girls as young as 12?
…many of our clients have had a very incomplete reproductive health education?
…our local Planned Parenthood often refers positive pregnancy test clients to Loving Choices?

Part 4: "Did You Know?"

2009-06-17T13:42:00.003-05:00

Concerning STDs, did you know...

…1 in 4 high school students will be infected with an STD?
…1 in 2 college students will be infected by an STD?
…it has been estimated that approximately 80% of the high school students in NWA are sexually active?
…in 1950 there were 4 identified STDs; there are currently over 30 identified STDs? While only 4 of these STDs can permanently harm a male, 26 of these STDs can permanently harm a female!
…Chlamydia is the fastest growing STD? Chlamydia has a 25% chance of leaving a woman infertile each time it is contracted. Chlamydia shows no physical symptoms in males, but it will show up in a medical test.
…a condom offers only limited protection from contracting STDs?
…if you are sexually active it is recommended by the CDC that you get STD testing every 6 months?
...Loving Choices offers free and confidential STD testing for women?

SO NOW YOU KNOW!

LifeWalk '09 Great Success!

2009-06-13T22:05:00.015-05:00

The Loving Choices LifeWalk '09 was a great success! Held Saturday, June 13th, LifeWalk '09 was our first walk-a-thon in recent memory.

Over 200 people attended and as of today we have raised about $24,000. This was a huge success for our organization! We want to thank you for your support and hard work to make this community event wonderful for all!

Visit our website to see our slide show and party pics!

Still need to turn in your sponsor form? Email Caroline and she will explain the process.
A last minute sponsor? Not too late! You can still process your donation. Thank you!
Didn't get a LifeWalk '09 t-shirt? They are now on sale! Get one today!

THANK YOU TO ALL THE FRIENDS OF LOVING CHOICES!

LOVING CHOICES PREGNANCY CENTERS OF NWA RECEIVES ARKANSAS STATE ‘CITATION’ FOR HONORABLE SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY

2009-06-10T14:07:00.002-05:00

LITTLE ROCK, AR – On Wednesday in the Senate chambers at the state capitol, Loving Choices Pregnancy Centers of Northwest Arkansas received an honorable state “citation” for their enduring service to women facing unplanned pregnancies.

The citation was issued by Senator Gilbert Baker who said, “The Arkansas Legislature is pleased to present an official ‘citation’ honoring the 42 pregnancy centers of our state – those hardworking organizations that offer free, confidential, and compassionate help to women facing unplanned pregnancies. Those that serve within pregnancy centers are to be commended for their sacrifice of time, energy, and resources on behalf of thousands of families in our communities. Your network of support for women is a wonderful example of that great spirit of American volunteerism that is so critical, especially in today’s economy.”

The citation was issued on Wednesday by Sen. Gilbert Baker with a host of pregnancy center directors in attendance. The citation reads, “In Arkansas, 42 Centers provide free, confidential and compassionate services to women which include pregnancy tests, counseling, and referrals to support services in the community within a safe environment…in a nonjudgmental manner.”

Catherine Arnsperger, the Executive Director of Loving Choices said, “It is truly an honor to be recognized by our state legislature in this fashion – our staff, volunteers, and Board of Directors are truly encouraged. It’s a reminder that our center is part of an amazing network that exists throughout the entire state – a network that ensures that no woman facing an unplanned pregnancy in Arkansas is without the support she needs when she is facing an unexpected pregnancy.”

Pregnancy centers exist to offer information, practical help and emotional support to women and men facing unplanned pregnancies to empower them to choose to carry their pregnancy to term. Statistics show that most women choose to carry to term after visiting and receiving help from a local pregnancy center. Loving Choices offers a wide variety of services, including pregnancy testing, STD/STI testing, limited obstetrical ultrasound, options counseling, live online chat community, 24 hour hotline, post-abortion support, pregnancy loss support, long term mentoring, and adoption planning. All services are FREE and CONFIDENTIAL.

To find out more about Loving Choices, visit http://www.lovingchoices.org/ or call the Rogers office at 479-631-6677.

Part 3: "Did You Know?"

2009-06-08T15:45:00.004-05:00

Concerning Loving Choices’ services, did you know we offer…

…all of our services are free and confidential?
…highly accurate pregnancy tests, non-judgmental options counseling, reproductive health information, limited ultrasounds for pregnant clients, adoption planning information and referrals, and an Earn While You Learn mentoring program to help mothers-to-be prepare for the future in the midst of change?
…free STD testing for women? We will be the only Northwest Arkansas agency providing this service at no charge.
…a “Live Chat” option on our website where women can ask questions or get counseling anonymously if they are afraid to visit one of our centers?
…a Speakers Bureau where community organizations can request someone from Loving Choices to speak about topics relevant to Loving Choices services?

SO NOW YOU KNOW!

STD Testing Program Launched

2009-06-05T14:29:00.002-05:00

ANNOUNCEMENT: Loving Choices Pregnancy Centers of NWA will now be offering sexually transmitted disease & infection testing for free to any woman in need. These tests are confidential and treatment is provided.

This program has been a long work in process and after a year of research, work and planning we are now able to offer this critical service to women.

Find out more about this service here: http://www.lovingchoices.org/stdtesting.htm

Part 2: "Did You Know?"

2009-06-02T12:12:00.012-05:00

Did you know that Loving Choices…
…first opened its doors in 1987 in Rogers, Arkansas?
…has one location in Fayetteville next to Fayetteville High School?
...has another location in Rogers near Heritage High School?
…has 12 people on staff, over 30 volunteers, a board of directors and an advisory board?
…provides all services confidentially and at no charge to clients?
…is fully funded by donations from the public?
…became a medical clinic in 2002 with the introduction of ultrasound technology?
…just implemented an STD testing program free to all clients?
…has a visually appealing, relevant website at http://www.lovingchoices.org?
…has a website just for supporters and donors at http://www.supportlc.org?
…has a website for busy volunteers at http://ambassadors.lovingchoices.org?
…won favorite Northwest Arkansas Charity in a contest sponsored by 3W Magazine for 2009?
…was runner up for Northwest Arkansas’ Best Kept Secret, hosted by CitiScapes Magazine for 2008?
…was awarded the gold-level President’s Volunteer Service Award in Washington, D.C. in 2008?

SO NOW YOU KNOW!

Part 1: "Did you Know?"

2009-05-29T12:35:00.008-05:00

This is Part 1 of our "Did You Know?" series. There is so much misinformation about pregnancy centers and what we do for women in need, that we would love to share with you exactly who we are and what we do! Stay tuned for more installments from this series.

THE PATH OF A CLIENT
So, what really happens to a girl when she comes to Loving Choices for a pregnancy test or a an STD test?

Check out these charts below to see what we call "the path of the client" at Loving Choices.

>>A PREGNANCY CLIENT'S EXPERIENCE

As you can see, our clients are given every opportunity to make decisions about how their appointment will go. If she is pregnant, she can opt to have an ultrasound to check for pregnancy viability if her pregnancy fits within the right timeframe.

She is given the option to talk about all of her options: parenting, adoption and abortion. And we do talk about all the options - the pros and the cons of each. She is never forced to do anything or see anything she doesn't wish to do or see. Our environment is open, friendly, and kind.

We never judge our clients, we are only offering unconditional support and facts concerning her situation.

>>STD CLIENT'S EXPERIENCE

Our STD client receives free and confidential testing and treatment. However, the goal of our program is risk reduction for infection and disease, so the client agrees to participate in an education session with the counselor to learn more about what constitutes a true risk for STDs, how STDs are passed, and what they can do to a woman's health.

All of our services are free and confidential to any woman who finds herself in need and each and every client is received with unconditional love and support.

SO NOW YOU KNOW!

John Piper's Response to President Obama

2009-05-26T15:35:00.002-05:00

Loving Choices is not a political entity and we serve women of any political persuasion in a gentle, non-judgmental and truthful way. Our role at Loving Choices is to stand in the gap for the women we serve while the political debate rages.

However, we at Loving Choices saw this video and it sparked great discussion amongst our staff.

What do you think of Pastor John Piper, the pastor of Bethlehem Baptist Church in Minneapolis, MN? What is your perspective on his response to President Obama?

Facebook Ads and Loving Choices

2009-05-20T12:55:00.004-05:00

In this technologically advanced world, a pregnancy resource center finds itself looking at all the technical tools out there to build awareness.

Loving Choices has embraced technology almost as fast as it comes to us because we know that the women we serve are using this technology. It is so critical for Loving Choices to be relevant to those we serve. The consequence of not being relevant? Women will not use the free and confidential services that we offer.

Facebook is all the rage these days, as is blogging (hence this blog) and even Twitter. We've embraced them all! But the most useful for us by far has been advertising on Facebook in terms of driving web traffic and subsequently driving client appointments.

Facebook Ads are a brilliant marketing tool for pregnancy centers: cost effective, targeted to the right demographic, and so easy to develop.

Last year, 2008, we saw about 600 unique women come to our centers. We started Facebook Ads in April 2008 and increased the number of ads we ran over the course of 2008. Now, since January of 2009 we have seen about 500 women! That is only in 5 months!

There are some other factors to attribute to the increase in client appointments, surely, but we have a strong suspicion that the increase in women choosing to visit our centers is linked to the awareness that Facebook Ads has given Loving Choices. The primary reason for this suspicion is because our website reports say that about 40% of our hits at www.lovingchoices.org are from Facebook. Fantastic. We love web traffic.

Our clients need to be able to gather accurate information while preserving their identity. Their anonymity is so cruicial to them regarding the personal nature of their problems that any technology that provides anonymity is a big win for both our clients and Loving Choices. Our web sites (which include a chat commuinty, live online help, and email) become a safe-haven of infomation that will hopefully give the woman enough comfort to make an appointment.

Facebook Ads have driven that web traffic and subsequently client visits. Brilliant. We love Facebook Ads.

Sign Up for LifeWalk '09 as a Walker or a Sponsor!

2009-05-15T14:54:00.004-05:00

LOVING CHOICES is gearing up for our next big fundraiser, LifeWalk ’09. It will be at Tyson Park in Springdale on June 13th and we would love for you all to get involved.

Our goal is to find at least 200 walkers that will each find sponsors. If each walker gets $200 in sponsorships this could be a huge success for their ministry. There are several ways to get involved…

Want to walk? It’s easy! Just sign up online and start finding sponsors to support you in this effort. Sign up online.

Want to sponsor a walker? Just let us know! We will help you find a walker to sponsor and we have an online program to accept your pledge.

Want to recruit walkers? A recruiter is someone who is really excited about Life Walk and agrees to recruit 10 people from their church, workplace, or neighborhood to be walkers. We really need some church liaisons to represent Loving Choices and find walkers for this event. All we need is 20 recruiters/church liaisons to find 10 walkers each.

This is a fun, easy way to help Loving Choices! If you have questions you can contact Caroline Rhoads! Her email is caroline@lovingchoices.org.

INTRODUCING THE NEW LOVING CHOICES BLOG

2009-05-15T12:02:00.007-05:00

You have been asking, so Loving Choices is now blogging! To meet your needs, we want to keep you informed of all the news, events, needs, and stories!

Loving Choices has been expanding our ability to keep both supporters and clients informed and well served. Let us update you on our newest technologies and ways to stay connected!

Check us out at:

Need our services? Need some help at this time? Visit the client website.

Are you a supporter or are you interested in knowing more about who Loving Choices is? Visit the supporter website.

Would you like to volunteer but are not sure how? Visit the volunteer website.

You can follow us on Twitter!

Become a fan of Loving Choices on Facebook!

And, of course, visit us on our blog!

We will continue to keep you informed of all that we are doing. Please check back soon!