The Pregnancy Options Center of Warren County, a resource for women experiencing crisis pregnancies, opened its doors at 102 S. East St. in Warrenton.Diane Foland, board president, said the overwhelming support of the community and local churches have made the dream a reality.In addition to securing a facility, the center’s board has hired its first executive director, J. Chowning. Joining him as the client services director is his wife, Hollie Chowning.The Pregnancy Options Center’s mission is to give every child a chance to be born.“There is nothing more sacred than saving a life of another human being,” said J. Chowning.“We have gathered our hearts and resources,” he said. “Our ducks are in a row, but this is just a start.”The planning committee for the Pregnancy Options Center held a fundraising banquet a year ago, raising initial funds to begin the project. On April 5, the second annual banquet with the theme “Lives Touching Lives” was held with approximately 300 people in attendance. A grand opening celebration will be held Monday, April 30, with a ribbon cutting at 12:30 p.m.“This is how the impossible becomes possible,” said Chowning.Chowning said his life goal has been to help those in need. With degrees in psychology and sociology, he has worked in a variety of settings, including serving the elderly and the developmentally disabled.“I’ve always wanted to work in a ministry-based industry,” he said. “I want to provide help, hope and healing to people in our community. Wherever, whenever and for whomever.”The Chownings are raising five children from the ages of 3 to 15 years old. At the 2017 Pregnancy Options Center banquet Hollie Chowning told the poignant story of her son’s birth. She credits a pregnancy crisis center in the Branson area for helping her through the difficult journey.Chowning discovered she had cervical cancer during her first pregnancy. Her mother had also experienced cervical cancer when she was pregnant with twins to a tragic end. Despite the advice of doctors to end the pregnancy, Chowning decided to give her baby a chance at life. A healthy boy was born and no trace of the cancer remained.Hollie Chowning is thrilled to be able to join her husband at the Pregnancy Options Center and feels her experiences will help her in her new position as client services director.During the 2018 banquet, Kim Meyers, wife of Pastor Mark Meyers of Grace Bible Church and the owner of Great TransFauxmations, shared the remarkable story of her son’s birth. Pregnant as a teenager, Meyers had decided to abort her baby. A good friend called her the morning of the scheduled procedure and talked her out of it. Meyers credits that special friend, her mother, her church and a pregnancy crisis center for helping her through the process. Her son Justin, friend Kelly, husband, mother and other family members were there to support her as she told her story.Meyers hopes the Pregnancy Options Center will be a valuable lifesaver and resource for other women in crisis.The Pregnancy Options Center will offer life coaching, resources and education to its clients. Subjects offered to clients will include prenatal, lactation, finances, budgeting and cooking education. Clients may use classroom credits to “Earn While You Learn,” shopping for supplies or clothing in the facility’s baby boutique.Clients can schedule a pregnancy test or see an ultrasound of their baby. The ultrasound room is fast becoming a reality, with the equipment already procured. Now qualified volunteer nurses will be sought and trained to make this service a reality.Practitioner Jessica Henman, CNM, CPM, of the Birth and Wellness Center in O’Fallon, has volunteered to serve as the center’s medical director. Henman will oversee any medical testing needed by the center’s clients.Part of the organization’s purpose is to provide reproductive options with confidential education, coaching and support services. Lab quality pregnancy tests and ultrasounds are provided free of charge.The center is currently taking applications for a variety of volunteer positions, including receptionists, childcare givers, fundraiser coordinators, nurses and doulas. Volunteers may help with thank-you letters, fundraising campaigns or commit to prayer for the organization. Volunteer applications can be found on the organization’s website at www.pocofwarrencounty.org.The center is currently open Mondays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; every first, third and fourth Wednesday from 1-5 p.m.; Thursdays from 1-5 p.m. or by appointment. The email is info@pocofwarrencounty.org. The center can be reached 24/7 by calling 636-235-1477.Proceeds from this year’s banquet will help support the ongoing expenses of running the center. Organizations can help by holding Baby Bottle Campaigns to collect loose change. Board members wish to thank Holy Rosary Catholic Church and Fr. John Mayo for providing a facility for this year’s event.

J. Chowning and his wife, Hollie, are now serving as the Executive Director and Client Services Director at the newly-opened Pregnancy Options Center of Warren County. The center is located at 102 S. East Street in Warrenton. The center will serve women dealing with crisis pregnancies, offering education and resources. 

Record Photo/Cindy Gladden

Kim Meyers was the guest speaker at the second annual Pregnancy Options Center banquet held Thursday, April 5, at Holy Rosary Catholic Church. More than 300 people gathered to raise funds for the new center which opened mid-March. Meyers is the owner of Great Transfauxmations and the wife of Pastor Mark Meyers of Grace Bible Church in Warrenton. 

Record Photo/Cindy Gladden