On Sept. 28, an important nonprofit organization held an open house/fiesta in Gilroy. Informed Choices, a pregnancy resource center, welcomed the community to visit its new facility located at 66 First St.
Although Informed Choices is a new name and it has a new location, the organization has been active locally for three decades under two names with offices located at various times in either Gilroy or Morgan Hill. Its mission is to provide hope, compassion and practical support to women facing the challenges of unplanned pregnancy through a variety of free services offered by a trained staff and peer counselors.
The roomy new facility is in an easily accessible location in downtown Gilroy with ample parking. The building features offices, clothing, baby supply closet, counseling room and education resource room large enough to hold classes. There is even a potential physical exam room for when a medical license is granted to the group.
Executive Director is Christine Vatuone, a graduate of San Jose Christian College with a degree in Bible and theology and extensive study in psychology, Christian education and performing arts. In 2007 she became client services director at the Hollister Pregnancy Center and was responsible for counseling and administration. Her tenure there was cut short by a serious auto accident. For the past six years she has been involved in facilitating discipleship at South Valley Community Church.
Informed Choices offers a number of important free services in a safe, non-judgmental, confidential environment to the pregnant women and their boyfriends, husbands, parents and other family members.
• Pregnancy tests
• Referrals for limited obstetric ultrasound
• Accurate information on fetal development
• Medically correct information about abortion procedures and risks
• Adoption assistance
• Post-abortion counseling
• Maternity and infant clothing and supplies
The agency operates a mobile unit that can make visits to churches and other organizations, bringing services to more clients. There is also a Youth Education Team that speaks at schools, youth groups and other community organizations to provide helpful information about parenting, abortion, sexual intimacy, STD’s and lifestyle choices.
Vatuone points out that the same three choices face every pregnant woman: become a parent, place the child for adoption or have an abortion. Although Informed Choices operates from life-affirming Christian principles and its desire is to help women see the possibility of life for their babies, its ministry’s goal is to serve the needs of women.
“We believe women have the right to know the truth about their options so they can make truly ‘informed choices,’” Vatuone said. “Although abortion grieves me, we do not exert pressure on individuals to make a particular choice.”
There are many ways the community can support the work of Informed Choices, including:
• Volunteer to work in the office
• Contribute tax-deductible funds
• Donate gently used baby clothing, formula, diapers and other infant supplies
• Enlist assistance from churches or other community organizations.
Informed Choices is open Tuesday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. For more information, call (408) 847-8880 or visit informed-choices.org.
