Single women or families facing an unplanned pregnancy have a new option for pregnancy care.

The Pregnancy Care Clinic, which has local offices in Oak Harbor and Anacortes, has a new clinic on the South End.

“We felt that there was a need down south for our type of services,” said Alexis Wallace, an Oak Harbor staff member.

The Pregnancy Care Clinic is operated differently than many other clinics. It is a non-profit, non-denominational organization funded by individuals, churches and other community organizations and by fundraising events.

“The clinic is geared for any woman who is seeking assistance or information,” Wallace said.

The Pregnancy Care Clinic can provide services to anyone who needs the help free of cost. Because they don’t receive government funds, the clinic has no income requirements.

“We don’t even ask that question,” said Clarence Littell, the clinic’s executive director.

The staff will do whatever they can to get someone through an emergency situation, he said.

The clinic offers a wide variety of services, including parenting classes, peer counseling and pregnancy tests. They also help women who need maternity clothes, baby clothes, diapers and formula.

“We do a lot of individual counseling and we like to work with them and really zero in on how we can help them, with whatever situation they are in,” Littell said.

Many times, the clinics’ faith-based approach comes into play.

“We have people in here who are living a lifestyle that’s unhealthy. We tell them that there is a different lifestyle and maybe try to connect them with the lord,” Wallace said.

“If they are interested, we will talk to them about their salvation. And we really aren’t concerned about what church it is,” Littell added.

Littell said some people are interested in hearing about their faith-based approach, while others aren’t. He said that they don’t try to pressure people into listening if they don’t want to hear it.

“Everything we give is offered to everyone on an equal basis. What we don’t want is to run people off,” Littell said. “To be able to help them, we want them to come back.”

Whether it involves faith counseling or not, the Pregnancy Care Clinic strives to make lasting connections with the women who seek services at the clinic.

“We’re offering more than just superficial help,” Wallace said. “We want to have lasting relationships and effectively meet needs.”

Right now the South End clinic is operating in its temporary home at the Christian Missionary Alliance Church on Cascade Street in Langley. They are currently looking at different offices in the area and plan on finding a permanent home by the end of April.

Although the clinic is still in a transitionary period, clinic workers say so far it’s been good.

“We’ve already had several clients come in and we’re hoping with increased awareness we’ll have more,” Wallace said.

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