February Focus On Ministry | ||||
| History
| The Pregnancy Center There was a 16 year old girl who came in for a pregnancy test. She found out she was pregnant. She was so distraught. How could she tell her folks especially her Dad. The counseling and encouragement she received from the Pregnancy Center of Pinellas County gave her the strength to tell her folks. Her Dad was not happy, and urged her to have an abortion. The PCPC urged her to have her Dad come in when she had the sonogram done. He agreed to go with her. When he saw the picture of the baby on the screen and he saw his arms and legs moving around, all he could say was: "That's my Grandchild." Sol Pitchon, President and CEO of The Pregnancy Center of Pinellas County says that sonogram machine that made the difference in that babies life cost $10,000. He believes it was worth every penny. The Pregnancy Center of Pinellas County was founded in 1985 by a group of concerned men and women who wanted to help women who found themselves pregnant. As a board run 501-3C foundation PCPC is run by a committed group of individuals who carry the same concern as the founding men and women of 1985. The board consists of 10 people with vision and personal financial support. The first facility to open was Mid-County the Pinellas Park Center in 1985, then South County the St. Petersburg Center in 1995, and the North County in in Palm Harbor in 1999. The current locations are: Pinellas Park 8001 66th St. N. St. Petersburg 4326 Central Ave. Palm Harbor 3 Cypress Drive In January 1999 Sol Pitchon was appointed the new President/CEO. He is Greek Jew born in Thessalonica, Greece, who immigrated to America in 1951 and he accepted Christ in 1981. He is married and the father of four children and is also a grandfather. He received his Masters degree in counseling from Liberty University and holds a BA Degree in Psychology from the University of South Florida. He has served in many leadership positions in Pinellas County serving both the Christian and business communities in the area. "We encourage the Mothers to save the baby and we save the Mothers spiritually." Pitchon states. First the women come in for a pregnancy test. Each of the centers are set up to do pregnancy testing on a walk in bases. If the test is positive, they are given an appointment for a sonogram. There are medical personnel and counselors at each facility. The counselors are trained in a 7 week training program. Baby items are given to the Mothers and as they go through the process of pregnancy they are given opportunities to learn and earn points which "buys" them NEW furniture. Pitchon says, "We want them to see that if you learn you earn; and that education can change your life." They are encouraged to get back in school. They are linked up with "Women On The Way" at St. Petersburg, Jr. College. "We network these people into the services. We provide support any way we can." states Pitchon. Each woman is presented the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It is a wonderful opportunity to share some wonderful news with those who are at a difficult time in their life. The women are shown that they do have choices. Abortion, (not recommended, of course) Keeping the Baby, or adoption, there are choices. Some women do choose abortion. They have seen women return after an abortion and the PCPC is there to counsel them and embrace them with the Love of GOD helping them work through the choice they made. The post-abortion counseling aspect of PCPC is a very valuable portion of this organization. Statistics show that 1 in 6 Evangelical Christian women have had an abortion. We are there for them when they need see and feel the love and forgiveness of the Lord at a difficult time in their life states Pitchon. There is a lot of prayer that goes on at the PCPC. The counselors will pray with the women and also there are prayer partners praying elsewhere while the counseling is going on. President Pitchon says "We are under a lot of Spiritual attack." Satan tells them that death is an option and God wants them to know that HE wants them to choose LIFE. There are some phenomenal stories of what the Lord has done in the lives of not only the babies, but their Mothers as well. Pitchon says his desire is for the centers to continue to become more medically qualified to offer even more services. The goal is to open 2 more centers in the next couple years. "Our role is to be faithful. Our mission is the sanctity of human life. We encourage the Mother to save the baby and we save Mom's Spiritual life." President Pitchon states. The PCPC has a 3 fold purpose:
As a Christian based foundation the PCPC has made a great deal of impact in Pinellas County. The USA (United Students for Abstinence) program they take into the public schools has been encouraged by both the Pinellas County School Board and the Pinellas County Health Department. This is a program that promotes abstinence and targets the 9-14 year olds, mostly 8th graders. They give them 3 one hour sessions. By the third session the giggles are over and the reality has hit home. The kids are listening. Through these preventative services 5,000 students have been reached. The PCPC was one of seventeen groups in Florida who received a title 5 grant to reach the young people. It has been granted for 3 years now, with the possibility for two more years. The Abstinence program grant is $100,000 which requires in kind services. To meet that requirement and also to spread the word about the center and their programs in the communities, Pitchon speaks before church and concerned groups about the parents role in teaching abstinence to their children. He stated that often parents feel they are NOT important. That is simply not true. The Pregnancy Center of Pinellas County is in the top 20 pregnancy centers in the country with an annual budget of $800,000. The majority of the income comes from major fundraisers such as the WALK FOR LIFE. This event is held the Saturday before Mother's Day. Sadly, they only collect 85% of the money promised. There are 100 Tampa Bay churches promoting the Walk For Life. They collect from $64 to $90,000 from each church. Another major fundraising event is the Gala Auction. This is held in the fall. For this event they collected $300,000 net. In 2000 one donor donated $100,000 and set up an endowment fund for PCPC. It is Pitchon's desire that they will have many more do the same and they would be able to operate their budget off the interest alone on these endowments. President Pitchon stated, "If we have someone donate a large amount and set up an endowment fund we will gladly put their name on it and give them full recognition for such a contribution." There is also a Golf Tournament organized by Howard Drake Vice President. The golf tournaments make about $20,000.00 each for the center. There are also individual monthly, quarterly, and yearly donors. There are 35-40 churches in Tampa Bay that are giving monthly from $50.oo to $500.00. He is grateful for all contributions. It cost about $150.00 per client to give them the services from PCPC. The government does not subsidize the center. The greatest need is for funding. Perhaps most people think they get new items donated to them, like I did. That's simply not so. The furniture they give to the ladies for the points they earn is brand new and purchased at a local department store; however, they pay full price for it. There is need for maternity clothes and diapers. A new sonogram machine is also needed. They are placing ads in every high school newspaper, however that cost $300.00 each year. They are placing ads in the U.S.F. paper. A small column ad there cost $300.00. These are the ages that need to be reached. Statistics are: 20-24 yr/o =33% of the abortions They offer Pre Abortion counseling. Post Abortion counseling helping to deal with regret. They will be met with a loving hand and heart as the counselor gives comfort. The best way to contact them is by phone at: 727-545-1234 Pinellas Park or |
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Believer's Bay
Sharing the Love of God with Common Sense