First Choice Pregnancy Resource Center recently announced its plan to purchase a mobile unit or pregnancy center on wheels by 2020. The unit, which will be equipped to conduct peer counseling, pregnancy testing and ultrasounds, costs between $180,000 and $200,000.
The mobile unit would increase access to services for those living in rural areas.
"We have so many rural communities in our area. For a lot of folks, it's really difficult to get to Texarkana for services so our goal is to be able to get to them," said Kristie Wright, 1st Choice executive director.
"Also we might go to housing association areas in town where we know people might have transportation issues. We want to be the first choice for people who think they might be pregnant. If they can't get to us, that's a problem; the mobile unit would allow us to go to them," she added.
First Choice is a pro-life, Christian ministry that has served women and men in the Texarkana area for more than 40 years.
Its mission is to empower and encourage those affected by an unintended pregnancy to choose life by providing limited medical and consultation services for pregnancy and pregnancy loss, educational services and Christian spiritual support.
There is never a charge for any of the services offered by 1st Choice.
"If people are abortion-minded, we want to be able to fully inform them about their other options before they go too far down that road. Even those that are planning to parent, the earlier they can confirm that pregnancy and get started with prenatal care the better. We can get that process started for them," Wright said.
The community can help by making a donation at firstchoiceprc.com/donate.
"We're hoping the idea will speak to people and they'll want to contribute to it," Wright said.
For more information, contact Wright at 903-792-5735 or [email protected] or stop by the center at 602 Main St., Texarkana, Texas.