By CHRIS MORRIS
Rose Condra admits life can be difficult. Especially for young women who might find themselves in an unwanted pregnancy.
“Life beats you up,” said Condra, executive director of the Choices for Women Resource Center in New Albany. “They can come here and be encouraged to be better moms, better citizens and do the right thing.”
The resource center, located at 2019 E. Spring St., has seen steady growth in the past five years. Condra and her group are averaging 200 clients a month, and hope to expand somewhere down the road.
On Tuesday, the center took the first step to doing just that by demolishing one of its three buildings along Spring Street to make way for a possible education center in the future.
The building was old, and beyond repair according to Condra. It was only being used for storage.
“Our strategic plan is to pay off our mortgage in three years and once we do that, we can begin planning,” Condra said. The center started off in a small, 900 square foot office five years ago, before moving to its current location two years ago. Funding comes strictly from donations, fundraisers and grants. A golf scramble recently netted $13,000, Condra said.
Not only do women come to the center for counseling, pregnancy tests and ultra sounds, but also receive education on parenting and life skills, and pre-natal care. Condra says the Earn While You Learn program provides clients with free diapers, formula and other items. All they have to do is attend classes, many of which are taught by DVD. Condra said that is where an education center is needed.
“We just don’t have classroom space here,” she said, looking around her current building. “The majority of our clients are low income, or they may be working moms who are struggling buying diapers and other necessities. We are also seeing so many dads now who are coming with the mother.”
CCE, in New Albany, handled the demolition work.
