The Life Center has one mission: supporting families experiencing pregnancy and promoting sexual wellness in the West Texas community.
Since 1979, the center has provided services such as pregnancy tests, prenatal classes, and a baby boutique, to name a few.
“The Life Center is an alternative to abortion, non-profit, faith-based organization,” Judy Rouse, executive director for Life Center, said. “We educate the pregnant mothers about the options available regarding her unplanned pregnancy. The goal is to educate the mother so that she can make an informed decision about her pregnancy options for abortion, adoption, or parenting, inform students in public schools about sexual risk avoidance, the impact of healthy and unhealthy relationships, help to educate the underserved population of 15-25 with testing and treatment for sexually transmitted infection and disease (25% of the new STI/STD are among this age group), and mentoring programs for young mothers and dads 15-23.”
The center started as a phone bank with its headquarters in Midland and satellite centers in Andrews, Big Spring, and Odessa.
“The Life Center targets three areas of outreach: teaching sexual risk avoidance education programs for 4-12th grade in ISD’s across the Permian Basin; helping through pregnancy includes free pregnancy testing, limited obstetrical ultrasound, incentive programs for new baby items, material assistance, Dad U fatherhood programs, testing and treatment clinic for sexually transmitted diseases; and healing for restoration programs,” Rouse said. “The Bible-based education and mentoring classes restore hope and healing; in addition young moms may become a part of a three-year mentoring and scholarship program for ages 15-23.”
Rouse joined the center after hearing stories about how it helped teens through their pregnancy.
“Several ladies shared with me their experiences helping teens and their involvement at the center,” Rouse said. “The way they described their volunteer work sounded as simple as supporting young ladies who needed guidance. I was very motivated to help teens. I was raised in a single-parent home with a dad and two other siblings. The thought of offering support, encouragement, and guidance inspired me to sign up as a volunteer. I quickly became aware that the help and guidance pertained to an unexpected pregnancy. I had no idea what I was about to step into and knew very little about the polarizing issues surrounding the tiny volunteer-driven organization.”
Texas made headlines after it passed its restrictive abortion law. The Texas Heartbeat Act prohibits an abortion if a “fetal heartbeat” is present, at about six weeks.
“We’re going to do whatever we have to do to support someone in this decision,” Laura Molinar, founder of Sueños Sin Fronteras in San Antonio, said to the Texas Tribune. “These are the laws, but these are things we believe in and what our organization is founded on.”
According to its website, “The Life Center is a non-profit, faith-based alternative to abortion organization advocating sexual wellness through three areas of outreach: teaching about sexual risks, helping through pregnancy and healing through restoration.”
The Life Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Contributions are tax-deductible.
The Life Center offers the following free services: pregnancy tests, STI/STD consultation, obstetrical ultrasound, nurse consult, prenatal classes, parenting education, baby boutique, adoption information; referrals, and material assistance.