Tri-County Pregnancy Care Centre opens satellite branch in Barrington

“The first time I heard a girl say that, she was just sobbing. She said, ‘why did my mom let me do this? She lets my boyfriend come over and sleep in the same room with me’,” said Churchill, executive director of the Tri-County Pregnancy Care Centre.

Last year the centre, which is located above Dyke’s jewelry store on Main Street, assisted close to 300 clients in Yarmouth.

The establishment of a new satellite clinic in Barrington will make it easier for clients there to access services. In the past up to 20 per cent have come from that area.

Churchill says the number one reason that clients usually come to the centre, which opened in 2001, is for free, confidential pregnancy tests.

“We don’t do the test right away. We talk to them and find out where they are coming from. Our number one motivation is to educate them on the huge risk that they are taking being sexually active today. It’s amazing how many of our young people don’t have a clue. We’ve had them from ages 12 to 37,” said Churchill.

The girls are advised of their three choices if pregnant. They can get an abortion, carry it to term and place it for adoption or parent.

The pro-life centre does not refer for, nor perform abortions. If the client decides she wants to carry to term and parent but she doesn’t have a support system someone from the centre assists and will even go into the delivery room with her.

They also arrange for appointments with an adoption worker.

“They can choose the parents to adopt their baby if they know of a couple they would like,” said Churchill, who has also done follow-up calls after the baby is born.

Last year at least 20 babies were born and two were placed for adoption. Most clients choose to parent. Many of the clients are not pregnant when tested but receive the benefit of counseling.

There is no charge for clients who access services provided by the pregnancy centre. The Barrington satellite office is located in Parsons Mall, across from Smith & Watt Ltd., next door to Dr. Yee’s office and is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Thursdays. For more information call (902) 742-3865.