Over the Back Fence: Helping those who choose to value human life

The birth of a baby should be a happy event, celebrated by family and friends.

But we live in a crazy, mixed-up world, where desperation trumps reason, and convenience overrules the hopes and dreams of those without a voice. A world where nations regulate family size and incarcerate individuals for making “too many” babies. A world where some moms value pleasure more than parenting. And when the judge decides to take her child away, her only reply is, “That’s OK. I can make another one.”

Yet in this same world, some women who want nothing more than to be a mom can’t get pregnant. Mother’s Day becomes a time to mourn rather than a day to celebrate.

In this same upside-down world, too many young women – barely past childhood – find themselves pregnant. Unexpected. Unintentional. Unmarried. And suddenly the crazy, mixed-up teenage world just got crazier.

Angela Parr understands this kind of turmoil. Now several years later, she is the director of Mariposa’s Helping Hands Pregnancy and Parenting Center. “I can identify with our clients, because I was a single mother,” she says. “Christians came alongside me and my daughter during those early years, and that’s what drew me to faith and to this ministry.”

She doesn’t believe an unexpected pregnancy is the end of the world, but she does believe teens should know the facts about being sexually active.

In a purity class among freshmen at Mariposa County High School, Parr shares her story, careful not to minimize the risks. She encourages them to visit her, to ask questions and gain information, to find a safe place.

On Jan. 17, in homes and churches around the country, many Americans recognized Sanctity of Human Life Sunday.

Two Helping Hands Pregnancy and Parenting Centers, in Mariposa and Oakhurst, held open houses. Dozens who came out, gathered at the centers and at the Oakhill Cemetery in Oakhurst to reflect and pray, to worship and honor this gift called life.

“We are involved with moms and babies and families every day,” Parr continues. “Adoption and parenting are choices, too. And we don’t benefit from anyone’s choices, because we give everything away.”

Clients can attend childbirth and parenting classes, and earn Baby Bucks to spend at the center’s Baby Boutique. Young men benefit from the classes, services and wisdom from older men who volunteer.

Jill Althizer, executive director of Helping Hands, emphasizes that all services are free of charge and available to anyone interested. The centers receive no government funds and are completely dependent on local contributions. Helping Hands accepts diapers, blankets, baby and toddler clothing and more.

Pregnancy tests are confidential and self-administered, from start to finish. No medical procedures are done, but the center provides referrals for community services. Post-abortion and options counseling are also offered.

“All we do is done with permission, and everyone who comes in is treated with love and respect,” Parr says. “May we pray with you? May we give you a hug? Would you like to watch a video on your baby’s development while you’re waiting (for test results)?”

Deanna Gamble knows firsthand the kind of love and assistance Helping Hands offers. She and her 10-month-old son, Noah, attended the Mariposa Open House.

“I’m only three classes away from getting my AA in early childhood development,” she told me.

Gamble heard about Helping Hands from a neighbor. When Noah was born six weeks early, the center was the only place in town that had preemie-size diapers.

Helping Hands is affiliated with CareNet, a life-affirming network of pregnancy centers, through which the volunteers receive regular training.

Contact or visit either location: 5072 Bullion St. in Mariposa, 209-742-5500; 40356 Oak Park Way, Suites A and B in Oakhurst, 559-642-2229. Email helpinghands@sti.net or see www.choicesandoptions.com for more information.

“This opportunity to walk alongside someone else facing an unplanned pregnancy is a privilege,” Parr says. “There’s still hope for these young people.”

This story was originally published January 27, 2016 at 8:39 AM with the headline "Over the Back Fence: Helping those who choose to value human life."