August 31, 2006
Thomasville- Georgia has the eighth highest pregnancy rate among teens nationwide. In 2004, 80 percent of teens who gave birth were not married. Many young women find themselves in crisis situations like this, and now in Thomasville there's help. The Pregnancy Center of Southwest Georgia is a new resource for those facing an unplanned pregnancy.
A pediatrician and his wife moved to Thomasville in 2002. A pregnancy increase in his young patients caused the couple to take action. Four years later, The Pregnancy Center was born.
"In the Thomas and Grady area over the past three years it's increased six times, in the number of contacts so it just seems like it all converged at the right time," said Suzette Davis, Director.
Clientele includes women from teenagers to mid-20's, single and married, anyone who considers themselves in a crisis situation.
"Some times it's financial, we have connections with other community service organizations in our community that we make referrals to and they work with us," said Davis.
The center also provides educational information on pregnancy, adoption, and parenting. They offer free peer counseling and pregnancy tests, or just a willing ear.
"Sometimes you just need somebody to hear and help you think through a problem, and we want to be there and offer that to these young women," said Davis.
The organization is faith based and does not support abortions, but hopes the information they provide will continue to lower Georgia's young unplanned birth rate that's declined nearly 50 percent over the last eleven years.
The Pregnancy Center is a non profit organization supported by donations and fund raisers from individuals, businesses, and churches throughout the Thomasville area.
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