Crisis center offers free board, care
A tragedy in New Sarpy left an infant dead and the St. Charles Parish community stunned, struggling to understand the tragic loss and how something like that could happen here or anywhere.
For parish residents, pregnancy crisis centers in Kenner, Metairie and Marrerro serve as a gateway of available resources and refuge for women and teens who feel their options are limited due to an unplanned pregnancy.
“We serve hundreds of women from the River Parishes each year,” Donna Breaux, director of Pro-life Service for Catholic Charities said. “It’s a reality check when women find out they’re pregnant and that they are now responsible for another life.”
Breaux says ACCESS Pregnancy and Referral Centers is the first stop that pregnant women can make when faced with an unplanned pregnancy.
One of the options that women can consider is adoption.
“Sometimes, women come into the centers in complete denial, refusing to acknowledge that the pregnancy exists,” she said. “Because we’re a licensed state agency, minors who are pregnant don’t need the consent of their parents should they decide to place their unborn baby up for adoption.”
Breaux says giving a baby up for adoption is the most loving gift a parent can give to a child when they’re not sure what to do about a pregnancy.
“Our agency serves as a liaison between the birth mother and the adoptive parent and there are three options when it comes to placing a baby in an adoptive family,” she said. “The birth mother could choose to have the adoption sealed so there wil be no contact between her and the child or she could request a semi-open adoption where she would have an initial meeting with the birth family and knows who they are and where the child is going. Lastly, she can have an open adoption where the baby knows her and lives with the adopted family and they stay in contact with each other.”
Breaux says a social worker on staff helps the family through this transition process during adoption and remains with the family for life.
“Our goal is to first stabilize the mother, make sure she has proper prenatal care, insurance and a place to stay until the baby is born,” she said. “Because our organization falls under the umbrella of Catholic Charities. there are tons of help we can offer the women.”
Breaux says women receive counseling throughout the process and are given the opportunity to explore all of their options before making a decision.
“It’s relatively easy for parents to adopt,” she said. “Our agency does background criminal checks, interviews, and other extensive information checks.”
Breaux says it is always her hope that women choose life affirming options like adoption, but she encourages them to gain as much information as possible about all their choices.
For more information on pregnancy crisis centers call 504-340-1944.
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