The Heart of DMB: Miami Valley Women’s Center

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The Heart of DMB post highlights an organization chosen by a member of the DMB writing team. The chosen organization is near and dear to the heart of the person who authored this piece and publication of this post does not indicate endorsement by DMB as an organization.

Sometimes it takes a branch of your own family tree being salvaged for you to truly grasp the miracles that one organization can do. When a young lady with an unplanned pregnancy is made to feel loved, listened to, and supported, no matter what her choice is regarding her baby, miracles can happen. And they have happened. I will have a sweet baby cousin come February because of an organization exactly like this one. This is why I have chosen to introduce you to the Miami Valley Women’s Center for this month’s Heart of DMB. A non-judgmental, supportive organization, working miracles that literally last lifetimes. 

The Miami Valley Women’s Center is a Pregnancy Resource Center serving women, men, and their families with life-affirming information and pregnancy-related care since 1982.

Their mission is to value life, to support families, and to demonstrate Christ’s love. While they do not refer nor provide abortions, they do offer information on all options (parenting, adoption, and abortion) so a woman (and man) can make the most well-informed decision.  They do not accept government or state funding, so they therefore can freely share the Gospel with clients.  No matter your view on abortion, the fact is that in 2017 alone, there were 20,893 abortions in the state of Ohio. Of those abortions, 2,339 occurred in Montgomery County, with 30% of those by women within the ages of 20-24yrs.  The center wants young ladies to know that abortion is not the only option for an unplanned pregnancy. There are a plethora of resources and people ready to love on you and help you, no matter your decision.

The center’s strategic mission is to be the best-known resource with the highest quality services and information for women, men, and students who are facing a pregnancy decision. They have four centers, located in Kettering, Huber Heights, Xenia, and North Dayton, and maintain a Campus Outreach program to raise awareness of their services through table times at Wilberforce, Central State, and Wright State Universities. 

They have made over 30,000 student connections since this program began in 2011, and hope to use their 4 locations as safe places for women to learn about all options for pregnancy-related decisions.

When a woman enters the doors of the center, they are not judged or made to feel that the decision they make is wrong. They are supported and loved. All services are provided at no cost, and trained staff responds to the needs of the clients on an individual basis. At the center, a woman can seek out a pregnancy test, information on all pregnancy-related options,  and a limited ultrasound. From there, they make a choice and the center provides support and education as needed.  2,871 clients were served among four locations in the last year with a pregnancy test, ultrasound, parenting, or support program. 

The Miami Valley Women’s Center offers much more than pregnancy testing and options information. They offer incentive-based parenting classes, equipping clients with the tools to become amazing fathers and mothers. In the last year, 1,250 clients participated in this program, and reaped benefits for a lifetime! A MOMs program (Making Outstanding Mothers) is another long-term program where women participate in a 10-week session mentoring program, used to build relationships and encourage responsibility. They earn “Baby Bucks” and can shop in a Baby Boutique for brand new baby items like cribs, car seats, and strollers.

The center also offers spiritual support in a non-judgmental atmosphere, where one can share life’s struggles and hurts and grow deeper in faith if desired. An Abortion Recovery Ministry allows trained leaders, many who have worked through their own abortions, to help women come to a place of healing. There are group Bible studies, child loss support groups, abstinence education outreach for high school students, small group mentoring for boys as young as 8th grade, mentoring groups for 6th grade and middle school girls, and a blooming men’s program to support men who want to prepare for fatherhood and look deeper at what it means to care for a child. 

I had no idea everything the Miami Valley Women’s Center had to offer until I had the honor of attending their fundraising Gala this past November.  My husband and I were guests of the Board Chair and had an amazing evening. We learned about the variety of ministries mentioned above (please, go to their website to learn more and to share their information with anyone who may benefit), heard from dynamic speakers, listened to men and women give their personal testimonies of how the center has personally affected their lives and parenting, and were overcome with a strong sense of pride knowing that an organization of this magnitude exists in the Dayton area.

The Miami Valley Women’s Center chooses to simply love their clients. To educate them on all options. To offer support and incentives, to walk with them on their chosen journey. They have chosen to simply love the women and men of Dayton. 

 

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Stephanie
Hiya Mamas! I'm Stephanie, mother of 2 little ladies, wife to a 6'4 IT guy, occupational therapist, small health business owner, Sinclair adjunct faculty member, avid UD flyer fan, and a contributor for this awesomely lovely blog! Welcome! After growing up in Beavercreek, I received my BA in Psychology and my Master of Occupational Therapy, both from Chatham College in Pittsburgh, PA. In essence, Im a city lover and a farm-girl all wrapped up in one. Against everything I could possibly control (insert - 'wanted to move far away') , I moved back to Ohio after grad school, started working as an OT, met my husband, and will never leave. Nope. Im 937 for life. I love roasted broccoli, smoothees, and sparkling water, with a side of dark roast coffee and almond milk creamer. My 'me time' consists of HIIT training, long walks, exploring local, trying new foods, and following a strict 'flip flops until the first snow' rule. I have either been pregnant or breastfeeding non stop since 2011 - so ask me anything about either one of those topics and I am sure I can give you some sort of (comical) insight. My heart is with serving others, and I have had the opportunity to serve on mission trips to Montana twice, and on occupational therapy mission trips to Guatemala twice. I am hoping when the littles get older (not that I am in a rush - stop growing already!) I can give more time to local organizations in need of volunteers. We love our new church, our new neighborhood park, and our new home, all which we acquired in the past year. Happy blog reading my friends!