KINGSTON — At Pathways Unplanned Pregnancy Center, Executive Director Kathy Leamont has a message for clients.
“I like to say, ‘You can do what you want; we want you to be sure you want what you do,’” Leamont said.
Pathways Unplanned Pregnancy Help Center, located at 480 Pierce St., Suite 320, is a faith-based not-for-profit organization founded to help those facing any pregnancy that concerns them.
“We are a non-judgmental group of mostly volunteers who are trained to coach, or mentor, women and men who need to thoroughly consider their options when making a choice about what might be the biggest crisis of their lives,” Leamont said.
Pathways offers all of its services free of charge — including self-administered pregnancy tests, limited diagnostic ultrasounds at a local imaging center, and options education.
Leamont said Pathways also offers “Earn While You Learn” classes where clients can learn about healthy pregnancy, bonding, breastfeeding and childbirth and how to be the best parent they can be.
She said the “money” earned in this program can be used to purchase “wonderful things” in the Pathways baby shop, including a crib and a car seat, clothes, diapers and many more things that clients need for their baby.
“We also discuss adoption planning and give information on the risks and procedures of abortion so those who come to us can make a truly informed decision,” Leamont said,“no pressure or judgment, just honesty, caring and compassion.”
Leamont said Pathways is not a medical clinic and does not perform or refer for abortion.
Beginning June 19, Leamont said Pathways initiated an 8-week “Surrendering the Secret Bible Study” program to help those facing pain from a past abortion to find comfort, hope and healing.
In addition, Leamont said Pathways has a program designed to help young people make good relationship decisions before they are hurt and need healing. It’s called “Relationships Under Construction” and the program can be offered to school health classes, church youth groups, youth clubs or anywhere that someone thinks it might fit.
Founded in 2011, Pathways Pregnancy Help Center provides a variety of free services and programs to meet client needs, including:
• Free Ultrasounds
• Free pregnancy tests with immediate results
• Accurate Information on Pregnancy Options
• Prenatal and Infant Care Education
• Referrals to Community Resources and Agencies
All services are free and confidential.
For more information on Pathways and its programs, go to: http://www.pathways2hope.org/
