The Cochrane Pregnancy Care Centre’s spring fundraiser will offer an evening of symphonic music along with the opportunity to help area women cope with the challenges of an unexpected pregnancy.
The upcoming concert will feature the New West Symphony Chorus at the Cochrane Alliance Church at 902 Glenbow Dr. on April 29.
The pregnancy centre has been providing support for women experiencing unexpected pregnancies in town for 30 years.
Executive director Danelle Schwab said the centre offers a wide array of services, ranging from counselling on pregnancy choices to diapers and formula.
“Our primary mission is to provide support for women anywhere in the child-bearing range – teens to anywhere in their 40s – facing unexpected pregnancies, and beyond that as well,” she said.
“Typically, they come in, and we provide a safe place where they can just talk, share their stories, share their experience, everything that’s gone on in their life that’s got them to this place, and we provide them some tools that can help walk them through how to make a decision that’s best for them.”
The centre provides peer support, education and resources. If money is an issue, they have access to maternity clothes, newborn clothes, wipes, formula, diapers, and other supplies.
“We also provide education: prenatal classes, going into labour, birth delivery classes, parenting classes, and if they chose to put their child into adoption, we can provide support for that as well,” Schwab said.
The centre, launched in 1993 as a response to community needs, provides ongoing support to those who may have chosen an abortion or adoption, as they may need emotional support down the road.
Schwab said they create a safe environment for clients to make a pregnancy decision that is fully informed, evidence-based, and free from external influence.
They use a counselling-based approach to meet women’s emotional and practical needs during and after an unexpected pregnancy – no matter what decision she makes.
“We want our clients to know they’re not alone, and that we’re here to walk with them on their journey for as long as they need support,” Schwab said.
Two Pharmacy donates a percentage of sales through the till each month to a local organization or fundraiser through their Community Roots Partnership Program. The pregnancy centre is their organization of choice for this month.
Doors open at 5:30 p.m. and the concert starts at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $30 for general admission and $40 for VIP access, which comes with front-row seating and a swag bag. There will be merchandise for sale, a silent auction, and dessert and refreshments.
The Cochrane Pregnancy Care Centre is a non-profit organization. To learn more about their work, how to make a donation, or for tickets to the April 29 concert, go to cochranepreg.com.
The centre is located at Suite 208, 100 Grande Blvd.
