Open Arms Pregnancy Center

last updated 5-8-13 

What would my parents say?  What will my boyfriend do? 

How would my life change?

     You don’t want to think about it, but you can’t help it.

 You have concerns and don’t know what to do.

You feel alone but you don’t have to be.

We are here and we will stand with you and help you work through it all.

Open Arms Pregnancy Center
1-207-620-1600

Monday through Friday
2:00 to 5:00

A few moms share what group has meant

“Group has helped me to be a better mother by helping me to make better choices 4 my family and be a stronger person all together.”   D.B.

“I am 19 years old. I started going to the pregnancy center when I found out I was pregnant with my son. He is now 2 years old. Being a first time mother was hard. … if you need assistance try Open Arms Pregnancy Center because they helped me, and I’m sure they can help you too!”   N.B.

“Well the pregnancy center helped me out while my kids were little. I got clothes and needs met through the center when money was tight and the support groups helped me connect with girls with the same child issues. So ya, the center helped me.”   R.S.

Moms’ Support Group is an opportunity to meet with other young moms and share problems, concerns, and successes.   It’s an opportunity to meet new people and develop friendships. It’s a chance to discuss topics of interest to young moms, get a break from the routine, and share time with friends that understand about your children.   It’s a place to receive material resources, experienced advice, and encouragement for the struggles of parenthood.  It’s an opportunity to improve your parenting skills while enjoying yourself.  If you are pregnant or have a child under 3 and would like to check it out for yourself, you are invited to join us Thursdays from 7:00 to 9:00 pm.

“Group has been very helpful not only with getting the things I need for both my babies but also with emotional support during hard times.”   A.B.

Some moments during a moms’ support group meeting

This 4 1/2 minute clip is part of a discussion about rent and housing, an issue of great concern in many young mothers’ lives.  The mothers join in, sharing ideas and information.

Who is eligible to join the group Read the rest of this entry..

Intro to a thought-provoking video

The following YouTube video highlights some of the critical issues for expectant mothers. The issues are complex, but the treatment in the media is worth thinking about. At the end of the video you have the option of telling us what you think about a few of the issues that are addressed. You’ll also have the chance to leave a comment and get some dialogue going.

What might have happened if ... ?

Read the rest of this entry..

One of the girls was told near the beginning of her pregnancy that her bleeding was because the placenta had partially detached and that if it came loose, both she and the baby could die.  She was considered very high risk and was monitored   Read the rest of this entry..

gathering to walk

On Labor Day, September 3, 2012 we had our first annual 5K run and walk.  Between 80 and 100 people showed up for our event, which included the 5K run, the walk, a bake sale, a raffle, and activities for the children.  We had beautiful weather and everyone seemed to have a good time.  By the time all of the pledges and donations were tallied, we had raised approximately $3000.  This will enable Open Arms Pregnancy Center to continue to provide resources and support for the pregnant women and young moms of the Augusta, Maine area.  For more pictures from that day, check out our page “Get Involved” or check out our Facebook page.  Don’t miss our next run/walk on Labor Day of 2013.

The girl doing the post-abortion Bible study is seeing a real release, a new freedom, and is making some good decisions that will make a difference in her life for the future.  We also have had a couple of new girls start attending Group. It has been very good.

We were nearly out of diapers and I was wondering what we were going to do. Then I got a call from an organization called Aid 4 Kids and they gave   Read the rest of this entry..

We had a troubled young lady come into the Pregnancy Center in January.  She is one of those who suffer great guilt and shame after going through with an abortion  (some girls  just can’t seem to move past the experience.).   After talking with her for over an hour and hearing about some of her difficulties, I offered a one-on-one post-abortion recovery class.  We have been working our way through a workbook and I am seeing some new freedom in her expression already.

If you or someone you know is suffering with the guilt, we hope you will take some steps to gain some resolution.  We offer a free, confidential,  non-judgemental class that starts several times a year when needed and we invite you to attend.  Give us a call at the Center to find out when the next class will be starting.  We will be glad to hear from you.

We have had 2 babies born this quarter to moms who are regularly involved with the Center.  One of them is my own grandchild, born to my son and his wife, who live with me.  Oh the wonderful sleepless nights!  It is good for me to remember just what it is like so that I can properly empathize with the new moms.  Unfortunately, we also had one of our moms miscarry, so we have had both rejoicing and sorrow at Group, and have dealt with both during the last couple of months.

Three of our moms are attending the fall semester at UMA.  I have high hopes and a lot of praise for them.  My daughter-in-law is one of the three, so I see firsthand how difficult it is to get your homework done when you have to deal with a crying baby.  I see the amount of preparation for child care and juggling of schedules just to be able to go to class.  Unless you have tried it, you probably don’t realize just how difficult it can be and how much effort and determination is needed.  I am really proud of the ones who are sticking to it. Read the rest of this entry..

There has been a lot happening at the Center.   We have had two weddings, one in April and one in May, of girls who regularly attend the Support Group.  Both married the fathers of their children after being together for a number of years.  I encourage this as a positive step in their lives and as something of benefit particularly for the children and the moms.

That is not the only thing the clients have been doing this quarter.  We have had one baby born this quarter to one of the moms from Support Group.

Read the rest of this entry..

During this quarter we have had a couple of babies born to girls who regularly attend the classes and we have 3 more coming, one fairly soon.  One baby was born with an adverse diagnosis but the mother is strong in her love and acceptance for the child, and I have been impressed with her reaction.  Group has been going well and more girls are coming now that the weather is better.  We will begin offering parenting class on April 18^th and expect to start with a video series about parenting.

We are making the effort to have a stronger presence on Facebook, as that seems to be the way to connect these days.  As a result of our efforts, we now have a unique Facebook address,  http://www.facebook.com/OpenArmsPC, that connects directly to our non-profit  page.  We also have    Read the rest of this entry..

December 2010 Newsletter

October and November were difficult months for several of the regular clients.  One girl’s husband got injured falling off a roof and has had to have surgery on both wrists, making him unable to do simple tasks for his own care.  Other girls had anonymous harassment at work, family members die, received bad medical news, had difficulties with neighbors, boyfriends got laid off, and a stepfather left after 20 years of marriage.  As the various clients brought their struggles, heartaches, and concerns to Group and shared them with each other, we had a couple of months of heavy discussions, but they ultimately pulled together and emerged to a better understanding of each other and a more supportive relationship with each other.  Now it seems that things have settled down, most of the situations were resolved, things

Read the rest of this entry..

August/September Newsletter

During August we had 50 client visits, with 9 of them new clients coming in for the first time, and in September we had 57 visits with 8 of them new clients.  We had good attendance at the support group and several girls came in for individual conversations and ongoing support.  In addition, several of the clients have been actively working on passing out our business cards to potential clients and on putting up posters.  We have posters hung up around Augusta in over 20 key locations such as the WIC office, DHHS, Kennebec Pediatrics, and the homeless shelter.  We want to have the word get out about what we have to offer and to have the resources get into the hands of those who have need of them.

During August we received new programs written for the new center to track client information and to record donations and I have been entering the information to bring our records up to date.  One church donated funds for a brand new computer and that has been a wonderful tool in accomplishing all that I have been working on recently.  I have also finished new brochures and donation receipts, so I think we are getting to the end of the start-up phase of the new Center.

It hasn’t all been just work though.  We had a great time with our multi-location car wash  Read the rest of this entry..

client services through OAPC

July has been a busy month.  We are still in the start-up phase of the new center so there are still many things that need to be done.  Our priority is to begin reaching out to the clients as soon as possible, so this month we have concentrated on projects geared towards accomplishing that goal.  We were able to get business cards for the Center and for me done this month and have begun to pass them out to potential clients and to workers.  Realizing that posters in key locations are a priority, Read the rest of this entry..