Local5/13/2005

Archdiocese’s Pregnancy Help expands hours, adds Metro-West office

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BRIGHTON — Dr. Maria Ferreira, director of the archdiocesan crisis pregnancy center Pregnancy Help, recently announced expansion of services to women facing crisis pregnancies. Effective April 30, the Pregnancy Help office at Brighton Marine Health Center will be open more hours, including Saturdays. In addition, a new Metro-West office will be open two days a week.

Ferreira explained the significance of the expansion to the Church’s pro-life efforts.

"With these expanded hours and a new location, we can reach out to more women who feel abortion is their only option. Pregnancy Help is there for pregnant women who, because of fear and pressure, see abortion as their only choice," she said.

"It is crucial that the needs of women facing unplanned pregnancies are met by our pregnancy help center, and others like us, and not by abortion providers," Ferreira added.

As part of the expansion, Ferreira announced the appointment of Mary Girard as coordinator of client counseling.

Girard is enthusiastic about reaching more women with the increased coverage.

"The longer hours, especially being open on Saturday, is critical to reaching the women we are trying to serve. If a woman feeling very anxious because of an unplanned pregnancy calls when we're closed she may not leave a message or call back. In that case we have lost the opportunity to help her and preserve the life of her child," she said.

Listed in all area Yellow Pages under “Abortion Alternative,” Pregnancy Help staff provides ongoing counseling and support, and assists clients in securing housing, job training, education, and legal advice from social service programs run by the archdiocese, the state, and others. Pregnancy Help has a collaborative agreement with Greater Boston Catholic Charities whereby bilingual social worker Tina Green is available one day a week for crisis pregnancy counseling as well as adoption and young parenting services.

Since 1973, Pregnancy Help has provided free pregnancy testing, counseling, referrals, ongoing support and material assistance to women with unplanned or crisis pregnancies. These free and confidential services are available in English, Spanish and Portuguese to women of any religious denomination or faith.

Pregnancy Help is supported through the Archdiocesan Annual Appeal and the generosity of volunteers and benefactors. Each year, more than 80 parishes and Catholic organizations sponsor “baby showers” to provide layette items and financial donations to clients of Pregnancy Help. In addition, Pregnancy Help administers the Archdiocesan “Fund for the Unborn” that provides assistance to clients considering abortion due to financial hardship.

The Brighton office of Pregnancy Help is located at 77 Warren Street and can be contacted at 617-782-5151. With the new expanded hours, the office is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Wednesday and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday through Saturday.

The new Metro-West office is located at 5 Wilson Street in Natick and can be contacted at 508-651-0753 or toll free at 888-771-3914. The Natick office is open Monday and Wednesday 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.