Pregnancy Care Clinic reopens with new service director on South Whidbey

LANGLEY — Nancy Thompson puts in lots of work preparing for the arrival of little ones, even though the infants she helps are not hers.

LANGLEY — Nancy Thompson puts in lots of work preparing for the arrival of little ones, even though the infants she helps are not hers.

Thompson is the client services director at Pregnancy Care Clinic, a nonprofit that helps struggling mothers. With a team of volunteers, they assist moms and dads with parenting lessons, counseling and baby clothes.

“We try to support mothers materially, emotionally and spiritually,” Thompson said. “All of our services are free and confidential.”

The clinic provides pregnancy tests, diapers, maternity clothing, baby onesies, shoes, bags, toys, sleepers, hats, shirts, blankets, socks and other necessities for first-time and financially burdened parents. Most, if not all, of the items are donated, though more than half of the gear in the freshly painted purple “Baby Boutique” is as new as the paint.

Thompson estimated 25 clients use the various services provided.

“It’s a fairly large organization running on a shoestring budget,” Thompson said.

Clients’ emotional needs are met by counseling and being a safe place to seek help, Thompson said. That’s why the clinic exists — to assist any parent who needs aid.

Thompson was hired in July and spent the first couple of months training to run the South Whidbey location (there’s also one in Oak Harbor) that operates out of converted space in the basement of Langley Christian & Missionary Alliance.

After the previous director moved to Texas, services at the clinic were reduced. In some cases, South Whidbey clients traveled to the Oak Harbor office.

“I think it has been a great improvement,” said Cheryle Dykstra, executive director of the clinic. “The clients that are on the South End now have more opportunity for a wide variety of parenting classes and can shop at the boutique.

“We want to be placed on South Whidbey because we have clients who don’t have transportation. We wanted to be a place on the South End that’s more strategically placed for them so they don’t have to make the trip up to Oak Harbor.”

When Thompson was hired and brought out of retirement as a part-time director, there was plenty of work to do before she could open the doors again. Volunteers helped divide the once open space in the basement into offices, complete with an ultrasound room, lobby, education room and Thompson’s office.

Finally, there was the Baby Boutique, the place to keep all the baby gear and clothing.

Thompson credited the clinic’s October opening to the generosity of several people including Vic Hanson, Steve Hochenedell, Stan Walker, Darrell Wenzek, John Wood and others. The space was donated by Christian & Missionary Alliance and the construction and additions were finished within a week.

“You can’t imagine it,” Thompson said. “It was amazing.”

“We have virtually no expenses.”

The boutique’s items are purchased with “baby bucks,” which are earned by participating in parenting classes, reading, visiting the clinic and other incentive-based tasks.

The clinic isn’t just for mothers, Thompson stresses, and said both parents — moms and dads — are welcome to come learn about car safety, sudden infant death syndrome and disciplining techniques, among other parenting and infant-care essentials.

“Instead of that mentality of just taking, they have that program where they’re earning it,” Dykstra said. “It’s a whole different mentality. We see a change in the clients.

“What we’ve seen in Oak Harbor is that the clients form healthy bonds with their health instructors and they feel a sense of accomplishment while in the ‘Earn While You Learn program.’”

Any parent who needs help, Thompson said, should visit and utilize their services.

“We’d just love to have people walk down the stairs,” she said.

The entrance is on Sixth Street, down the stairs from the gravel parking lot. Thompson said guests and visitors can tour the facility and ask questions about the clinic’s services.

To make an appointment, email csdsw@islandspcc.org or call 221-2909.