A new pregnancy resource center has opened its doors in the Fountain Valley, bringing new life to a building that previously served women, infants and children through the county's WIC nutrition program at 97 Widefield Blvd.

Life Network held a ribbon-cutting and dedication ceremony for the new facility on June 16, and doors officially opened to the first clients on June 22.

"This is a significant day and the culmination of many months of prayers and planning," Life Network President Rich Bennett said.

Life Network is a nonprofit funded primarily through donations from individuals, families and church partners. The faith-based agency aims to give women and men facing unexpected pregnancies alternatives to abortion.

Services include free ultrasounds, pregnancy tests and educational programming for both mothers and fathers as they move through various stages of pregnancy and parenting. Participants can earn "Baby Bucks" (or "Man Bucks" for the fathers) to obtain important items such as clothes, cribs and formula in the Baby Boutique, stocked with new and gently used clothes for mom and baby. They can also earn gift cards for use in the Life Network Thrift Store, located in Colorado Springs.

"The need that exists here makes it vital that we be here to provide care and compassion to women and men facing unexpected pregnancies," Bennett said. "Women and men who then choose to parent will find ongoing support and care here. They will be paired with a parenting coach, and that parenting coach will pour into them until their child is 2. Which means for almost three years they're getting parenting, coaching and material resources they will need."

The office also offers free medical-grade testing and treatment for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).

Life Network opened the doors to its first pregnancy center in Colorado Springs in 1983. The name initially was Bethany Crisis Pregnancy Services but later changed to Colorado Springs Pregnancy Center – which is what both Colorado Springs facilities are called now.

Services over the years have expanded and today include post-abortion counseling, suicide prevention programs in schools, STD tests, and many others. All services are free.

Life Network's decision to open in Widefield was based on the organization's internet data indicating that many of people who search for pregnancy services around Colorado Springs reside in the Fountain Valley.

"Three of the top 10 Zip codes in El Paso County are in the Fountain Valley area," Bennett said. "And where we stand today is right in the heart of those three Zip codes."

A large crowd of supporters attended last week's grand opening. Numerous local and state officials attended, including Colorado Springs Mayor John Suthers, staff from Congressman Doug Lamborn's office, State Rep. Mary Bradfield, Fountain City Council Member Sharon Thompson and others.

Staff and volunteers provided tours of the newly renovated facility, which has received many upgrades and alterations from its days as a WIC office.

Life Network has hired new staff members for the Widefield office, but there are still a few open positions including a part-time nurse, a woman to lead the Life Steps parent coaching team, and a receptionist (preferably bilingual). Additional volunteers to be parent coaches are needed too.

Karin Hill

This Baby Boutique inside the pregnancy center offers free clothing and baby supplies to program participants.

Training sessions occur periodically. Anyone interested in volunteering should sign up online at elifenetwork.com/volunteer, or call Volunteer Coordinator Kristin Ellsworth at (719) 355-1179.

"We look forward to many, many years of this pregnancy center serving the south side of Colorado Springs, Fountain, Security, Widefield, Fort Carson, Peterson and beyond," Bennett said.